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The Rabbit Hunter: The Battle of Greece
"A superb action piece ... Worth has a future in this type of writing." - Nevil Gibson, NBR Review
"Shocking, tragic, maddening and uplifting – all at once." - Pauline Moore
"This book is a tour de force! It really is a triumph..." - Rob Haslett
"A must-read. Five out of five stars." - Ross Parry
"An engrossing book." - Steve Tilleyshort
ATHENS, APRIL 1941. Adolf Hitler has conquered most of Europe, and he’s now turning his attention to the Balkans. The unstoppable Wehrmacht is unleashed on Greece. Standing in its way, on the imposing slopes of Mount Olympus, sacred home of the ancient Greek gods, are soldiers of the New Zealand Division, including a sharpshooter in the person of Second Lieutenant Neil Rankin.
This fictional story places Rankin and his platoon at the heart of these actual events. The Greek nation’s unfolding disaster, and the humour, farce, personal hurt and tragedy experienced by men at war are detailed in this well-written debut novel.
While ultimately the Battle of Greece was a military failure, it was the curtain-raiser for the campaigns to come, in which New Zealand would play a prominent part. Just 26 years after the name “Gallipoli” was seared into the national psyche, like their fathers before them, many of those involved in this battle would never see their homeland again.
"Shocking, tragic, maddening and uplifting – all at once." - Pauline Moore
"This book is a tour de force! It really is a triumph..." - Rob Haslett
"A must-read. Five out of five stars." - Ross Parry
"An engrossing book." - Steve Tilleyshort
ATHENS, APRIL 1941. Adolf Hitler has conquered most of Europe, and he’s now turning his attention to the Balkans. The unstoppable Wehrmacht is unleashed on Greece. Standing in its way, on the imposing slopes of Mount Olympus, sacred home of the ancient Greek gods, are soldiers of the New Zealand Division, including a sharpshooter in the person of Second Lieutenant Neil Rankin.
This fictional story places Rankin and his platoon at the heart of these actual events. The Greek nation’s unfolding disaster, and the humour, farce, personal hurt and tragedy experienced by men at war are detailed in this well-written debut novel.
While ultimately the Battle of Greece was a military failure, it was the curtain-raiser for the campaigns to come, in which New Zealand would play a prominent part. Just 26 years after the name “Gallipoli” was seared into the national psyche, like their fathers before them, many of those involved in this battle would never see their homeland again.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2023
16 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 19, 2025
Very enjoyable read. Well worth your time. Lt. Rankin is part of a New Zealand WWII force sent to defend Greece against the Nazis. Typical incompetent senior officer and overwhelming forces lined up against the “good guys.” Humorous at times especially with his best friend and fellow lieutenant “Boney” Anderson. Boney is the perfect foil for Rankin, ala Jane Bennet to Elizabeth’s Rankin. Lots of adventure with some romance mixed in (fortunately for the adventure reader- not too much).
Reading the second one now and it only gets better!
Reading the second one now and it only gets better!
May 20, 2023
well written and with historical correctness
Having read other biographical and autobiographical accounts of WW2 in Greece the author did an excellent job of combing real events with fiction. The material kept your interest in that it wasn’t over burdened with excessive rambling descriptions and philosophical content. The material continued to move well and his writing kept you wanting to continue. Very god book
Having read other biographical and autobiographical accounts of WW2 in Greece the author did an excellent job of combing real events with fiction. The material kept your interest in that it wasn’t over burdened with excessive rambling descriptions and philosophical content. The material continued to move well and his writing kept you wanting to continue. Very god book
March 6, 2025
Rated 7/10 An easy read and based around events that occurred during WW2 so is interesting in relation to that if you are interested in such events and involves the actual NZ battalions that fought through the area. The main characters are fictitious however those involved in the campaigns such as Montgomery are factual.
August 27, 2024
Not a very interesting start, will try another time.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews