Aubrey Herbert

Mons, Anzac and Kut (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

Journals, in the eyes of their author, usually require an introduction of some kind, which, often, may be conveniently forgotten. The reader is invited to turn to this one if, after persevering through the pages of the diary, he wishes to learn the reason of the abrupt changes and chances of war that befell the writer. They are explained by the fact that his eyesight did not allow him to pass the necessary medical tests. He was able, through some slight skill, to evade these obstacles in the first stage of the war; later, when England had settled down to routine, they defeated him, as far as the Western Front was concerned. He was fortunately compensated for this disadvantage by a certain knowledge of the East, that sent him in various capacities to different fronts, often at critical times. It was as an Interpreter that the writer went to France. After a brief imprisonment, it was as an Intelligence Officer that he went to Egypt, the Dardanelles and Mesopotamia. The first diary was dictated in hospital from memory and rough notes made on the Retreat from Mons. For the writing of the second diary, idle hours were provided in the Dardanelles between times of furious action. The third diary, which iv deals with the fall of Kut, was written on the Fly boats of the River Tigris. In a diary egotism is inevitable. Julius Cæsar cloaked it by using the third person and Lord French by preferring to blame others, rather than to praise himself, but these devices are no precedents for one who is not a generalissimo. There remains anonymity. True, it is a very thin covering for modesty, but, like a modern bathing-dress, it may serve its purpose. When dots occur in the journal, they have their usual significance. The author was thinking his private thoughts, or, perhaps, criticizing some high authority, or concealing what, for the moment, at any rate, is better not revealed. In the Retreat from Mons, only Christian or nicknames have generally been used.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: anboco
• Seitenzahl: 428
• Erscheinungstermin: 18. Juni 2017
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9783736419537
• Artikelnr.: 48467717

Autorenporträt

Major Aubrey Herbert (1880-1923) was an English intelligence officer, diplomat, linguist, and politician, most renowned for his service during the First World War. His memoir, 'Mons, Anzac and Kut' (1919), stands as a testament to his experiences on the Western Front, in Gallipoli, and in Mesopotamia. Herbert was an insightful observer of the war's brutalities and complexities, and his writings offer a heartfelt narrative of courage, camaraderie, and the often-harrowing realities of combat. His literary style is characterized by its vividness, attention to detail, and an underlying humanity that captures the resilience of soldiers amidst overwhelming adversity. He served with distinction, and despite being offered the throne of Albania twice, he remained committed to his military duties and political career. Herbert's contributions extended beyond the armed forces into politics where he was an advocate for foreign policy reforms and championed the cause of Albanian independence. A polymath, he was conversant in multiple languages, including Turkish and Albanian, which enabled him to engage deeply with the cultures and peoples with whom he worked. Unfortunately, Herbert's promising career was cut short by a series of health issues, leading to his untimely death at the age of 43. His writings continue to be of historical significance and serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices of his generation.