dieseltaylor Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 I have been fortunate to borrow from my local library a memoir called: "Chasing the Beast" By George Greenfield. Very well written with some great anecdotes: At Alemein his platoon of the Buffs was adjacent to the NZ division. There Maori battlaion had an aggressive streak and when bored would get some volunteers and slip through the wire to find sleeping Germans. Their preference was a group of five and just slit the throats of four of them .... they thought it was funny when the fifth one awoke. And of course it would do wonders for enemy morale. He is very scathing of General Horrocks and some others and I am only on page 62.: ) " Monty - the vainest man I ever met, and in along, and chequered career I met many self-lovers ....." Freyberg comes out well. Another NZer Major Sandy Thomas had fought in Greece and then Crete. When Crete was overrun he had taken to the hills and later got down to the coast stolen a boat and sailed to Greece [no navigator!] He was hidden in a monastery until his wounds were healed and then worked his way across through Greece, Turkey and then into the northern Lebanon. The first man he met was a sentry from his company of from the New Zealand Division. Despite it being ten months later the sentry recognised him: "G'day, sir" he said, slapping the butt of his rifle in salute. " Took your time, didn't you" 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 Despite it being ten months later the sentry recognised him: "G'day, sir" he said, slapping the butt of his rifle in salute. " Took your time, didn't you" Now that's funny! Michael 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinetree Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Sandy Thomas on Anzac Day this year.A mate of mine is a cousin of his and introduced me.He's had an incredible life. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieseltaylor Posted June 2, 2010 Author Share Posted June 2, 2010 It would be nice to confirm the storyif possible. ANd yea he must have had one 'ell of a life 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinetree Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 sorry,are you asking to confirm if I met him or something else? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieseltaylor Posted June 3, 2010 Author Share Posted June 3, 2010 Pinetree - why would I doubt your post? I was referring to the anecdote that I posted. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinetree Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 I thought so . I've heard that story but don't know if it's true or not. Maj. Gen. Thomas wrote a book called Pathway to Adventure it might be in there if you can find a copy. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 The basic details of the story are confirmed in the 23 Bn OH (available at nzetc.org), incl walking back in on his own bn. What isn't covered there is the "took your time" comment. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avatar2 Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Would surely give a read to this book. But not sure if i can get this in my local library! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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