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The Desert Column
One hundred years after the charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade at Beersheba in October 1917... 'The Desert Column is based on the diaries that he kept through out the war. Published in 1932, it is one of Idriess' earliest works. Harry Chauvel noted in the foreword that it was the only book of the campaign that to his knowledge was "viewed entirely from the private soldier's point of view"... Idriess served as a sniper with the 5th Australian Light Horse. Enlisting in 1914, he began his diary "as we crowded the decks off Gallipoli" and he continued writing until returning to Australia... The diaries cover his experience of some of the war's major events from life in the trenches at Gallipoli to the battles at Romani and Beersheba. One of Idriess' strengths as a writer is his ability to place the reader at the scene of the action... The diaries reveal a keenness of observation and a descriptive and pacey style that Idriess would develop further in The Desert Column.' - The Australian War Memorial
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 1932
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About the author
Ion L. Idriess
69 books25 followersIon Llewellyn Idriess, who won the Order of the British Empire was a prolific and influential Australian author.He wrote over 50 books between 1927 to 1969. Idriess was able to convey an image of Australia that few of its nationals could recognise but that all of them could love and be proud of. From the pearling ships off the port of Broome, to the mighty Inland of Australia where all of Western Europe could fit several times over, Idriess experienced all of these places and attempted to convey to the reader the wonder and love he felt for his wild country.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 27, 2018
Published in 1932, and adapted from his war diaries, Idriess shares his part in World War I, first in Gallipoli, then Sinai, and Palestine. Idriess was a private in the Australian 5th Light Horse Regiment, Second Light Horse Brigade. He was wounded three times, the worst was the third time, when he was returned to Australia, as unfit to continue fighting.
Idriess writes with a passion for those he fights beside, he shares his frustrations with the big picture decisions made by high command (such as withdrawing at key moments, of taking a fortification or a town only to abandon it to be reoccupied by the Turks, and of the inferior weapons and air support they receive, when compared to the soldiers in France) and he shares his own thoughts of those things happening around him, including the boredom of war.
As this was adapted from his diaries some years later (the diary covers the period 18 May 1915 to 2 January 1918), he adds some narrative passages, which pad out the often abrupt diary entries, but help the cohesive nature of the writing.
As always Idriess writes well. An example from the Gallipoli trenches at Lone Pine [P39]
We stumbled in the darkness instinctively ducking our heads, only to thud into the wall of the tunnel where it twisted and turned. The floor was uneven with puddle holes of putrid water. Of course no one dare strike a light; we were going through to the most dangerous spot of the whole Gallipoli line. The route smelt like a cavern dug in a graveyard, where the people are not even in their coffins. We are right in Lone Pine now and the stench is just awful; the dead men, Turks and Australians are lying buried and half-buried in the trench bottom, in the sides of the trench, and built up into the parapet. They have made the sandbags all greasy. The flies hum in a bee-like cloud. I understand now why men can only live in this portion of the trenches for forty-eight hours at a stretch...
5 stars.
Idriess writes with a passion for those he fights beside, he shares his frustrations with the big picture decisions made by high command (such as withdrawing at key moments, of taking a fortification or a town only to abandon it to be reoccupied by the Turks, and of the inferior weapons and air support they receive, when compared to the soldiers in France) and he shares his own thoughts of those things happening around him, including the boredom of war.
As this was adapted from his diaries some years later (the diary covers the period 18 May 1915 to 2 January 1918), he adds some narrative passages, which pad out the often abrupt diary entries, but help the cohesive nature of the writing.
As always Idriess writes well. An example from the Gallipoli trenches at Lone Pine [P39]
We stumbled in the darkness instinctively ducking our heads, only to thud into the wall of the tunnel where it twisted and turned. The floor was uneven with puddle holes of putrid water. Of course no one dare strike a light; we were going through to the most dangerous spot of the whole Gallipoli line. The route smelt like a cavern dug in a graveyard, where the people are not even in their coffins. We are right in Lone Pine now and the stench is just awful; the dead men, Turks and Australians are lying buried and half-buried in the trench bottom, in the sides of the trench, and built up into the parapet. They have made the sandbags all greasy. The flies hum in a bee-like cloud. I understand now why men can only live in this portion of the trenches for forty-eight hours at a stretch...
5 stars.
July 4, 2016
Great book. My Grandfather is one of the characters in the book and was a friend of the author. We have a signed 1st edition in the family. A great read and it is fascinating being able to read a description of my Grandfathers ww1 experience.
April 13, 2019
The Desert Column
This is the second time I have read this book, the first being some years ago. I find it hard to describe my feelings. Awe and admiration for the men who fought the desert war, disbelief at the stupidity and arrogance of the British commanders at both Gallipoli and North Africa but mostly an overall sadness at the sheer senseless of war. What this book does give though is the truth of what transpired from the view of a participant in the events as opposed to the accounts recorded by third parties. All this being said, I love Ion Idriess’s writings on Australian history.
This is the second time I have read this book, the first being some years ago. I find it hard to describe my feelings. Awe and admiration for the men who fought the desert war, disbelief at the stupidity and arrogance of the British commanders at both Gallipoli and North Africa but mostly an overall sadness at the sheer senseless of war. What this book does give though is the truth of what transpired from the view of a participant in the events as opposed to the accounts recorded by third parties. All this being said, I love Ion Idriess’s writings on Australian history.
July 11, 2019
Raw and confronting, Idriess gives a first-hand account of the horrors of WW1. With death all around him, moments of misery are dealt with by a statement of facts as witnessed by the author; the finer details, often overlooked in accounts of war, given a prominence by the author that makes his story so vivid.
Scenes, such as Idriess battling the countless flies after opening a jam tin, would seem insignificant compared to the stench of rotting corpses, or a man being killed by your side, but it is in these moments that Idriess reveals the mental strain that the frontline soldier is under and makes The Desert Column such a compelling read.
Scenes, such as Idriess battling the countless flies after opening a jam tin, would seem insignificant compared to the stench of rotting corpses, or a man being killed by your side, but it is in these moments that Idriess reveals the mental strain that the frontline soldier is under and makes The Desert Column such a compelling read.
January 31, 2020
An excellent representation of the ANZAC experience; however, the author gets a little carried away with enthusiasm over Australian stereotypical pictures of horsemen riding like American cowboys into battle. He almost borders on saying Gallipoli and the march to Jeursalem were gallant war adventures. Hidden here and there are descriptions of realism in dealing with desert conditions. Recommended for anyone who wants a good picture of war time conditions for the common soldier. But be leary of words that glorify the war.
October 4, 2017
The ultimate in a narrative from an Australian Lighthorseman from the unique perspective of the Battlefields of Palestine- Sinai
and the Middle East. The 5th Lighthorse is dear to me as my 4 great uncles enlisted and served in Gallipoli through the campaigns until repatriation in 1919. The conversational tone takes the reader on Idress' horseback journey of tragedy and triumph. Highly recommend to every Australian.
and the Middle East. The 5th Lighthorse is dear to me as my 4 great uncles enlisted and served in Gallipoli through the campaigns until repatriation in 1919. The conversational tone takes the reader on Idress' horseback journey of tragedy and triumph. Highly recommend to every Australian.
August 10, 2018
Very much enjoyed. The book gave a trench as well as a horse mounted soldiers perspective. I found it very interesting.
July 14, 2024
Super interesting. Amazing telling stories about bullets whizzing around.
July 23, 2024
Idriess was Australia's Mark Twain, so this is an exceptionally well-written account of the Gallipoli, Sinai, and Palestine campaigns of the Australian Light Horse in WW1.
CW: bold-faced racism.
CW: bold-faced racism.
October 7, 2016
Perhaps my favourite book. Very straightforward n matter of fact diary from an ordinary soldier. My only regret is that as reflects the age it is written, too much is left out, it is too laid back. A great story with a particular Australian slant.
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July 18, 2014great historical read of the great war 1940-1945
August 24, 2015
Idriess is always a great read. I read the 1938 edition.
July 16, 2024
A superb humble and vivid personal account of a Light Horse Regiment trooper in War World One including service in Gallipoli and Palestine.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews