Zero Hour: The Anzacs on the Western Front

by Davidson Leon

The First World War was only meant to last six months.When the Australians and New Zealanders arrived at the Western Front in 1916, the fighting had been going for a year and a half and there was no end in sight. The men took their place in a line of trenches that spread through Belgium and France from the North Sea to the Swiss Alps. Beyond the trenches was no-man's land, an eerie wasteland where rats lived in the ribs of the dead and the wounded cried for help. Beyond that was the German Army.The Anzacs had sailed for France to fight a war the whole world was talking about. Few who came home ever spoke about it again.Zero Hour is the third book by Leon Davidson, author of the best-selling and multi-award-winning Scarecrow the Anzacs at Gallipoli and Red Australians & New Zealanders in Vietnam.

Genres: Young Adult, World War I

231 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Hugo]

This book details the ANZAC's role on the western front (the battleground along France), in World War 1:the resilience of soldiers and horrors of war. Soldiers showed their mental and physical strengths by enduring the constant attacks from the Germans: “Zero hour was the name given to the moment of each attack. As their officers’ watches ticked towards it, each soldier faced his fate on the other side of the sandbags. Some met their death, others went on to brave another zero hour, and another” Strong bonds were formed with fellow ANZAC and British and French soldiers that enabled them to face the enemy. This shows that resilience not only comes with determination but bonding together can help overcome tough situations. The soldiers that returned home and were able to put the war behind them and understand their actions under horrific situations are the best display of resilience.

The horror of battle is described in vivid detail, “Beyond the trenches was no‑man’s‑land, an eerie wasteland where rats lived in the ribs of the dead and the wounded cried for help.” The brutal conditions that the soldiers experienced shows that even those that survived the war were broken when they came back. Because of this reminder we appreciate how lucky we are not to be in war. In summary, Zero Hour: The Anzacs on the western front contained both positive and negative themes such as the resilience of the soldiers in spite of the horrific conditions. Ultimately war is never a good thing but it does show the ability to unite people together to face a common enemy. This common sense of purpose among the ANZAC soldiers still has special meaning today. Even though we remember and honour the sacrifice they made when we commemorate ANZAC day each year I did not truly understand how horrible war is and this book has helped me appreciate their suffering under extreme circumstances; constant bombing, fear and deprivation.

[Annette Heslin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zero Hour the name given to the moment of attack. Officers' watches tick towards it, each soldier ready to face his fate. Death or another Zero Hour.
Davidson has written from a New Zealand point of view what it was like for the soldiers who enlisted to fight until they were killed, wounded or the War ended.
Another interesting read about WWI. So much information still coming forward that seems to have been covered up.

[William Yang]

This book tells us detailed information about WW1. This is arranged on the time order from 1914-1918. This book also shows the map of the battles throughout the war. The book shows how Australia and Kiwis helped UK to fight against to Nazis. This is a good book for people who are interested in history especially wars. It is easily to be read and you will not get bored.

[TROLL]

I decided to read this book for 2 reasons, one is because I like history and wars. Its cool to read about the sacrifices made to keep our civilization alive and running. Secondly,I need to clear a hard space to fill on my bingo board.

This particular book fills the space on the bingo board of "a book that teaches you about another time in history".

There are not any real charterers in this book because its about war but I did like the part about the Aussies getting called cannibals that was funny.


Once again there wasn't any real quotes but still it was probably the one above

I have been thinking and I do think it is very honorable to fight and die for your country it is about time we learned that.

FELIX BROTT 9DWS

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leon Davidson has written a fine book which is easily read and very accessible to teenage readers of both sexes. I like the "In memoriam" extracts at the beginning of each chapter. Davidson continues the strong tradition of started by C.E.W.Bean in telling the history through the experiences of the ordinary soldier and thier families. The best aspect of this book is that it includes the New Zealand experience and deeds which has been injnored by most recent Australian books dealing with the Western Front. A perfect book for Year 8 - Year 12.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First World War was only meant to last six months. After the fighting had been going for a year and a half and there was no end in sight. The men took their place in a line of trenches that spread through Belgium and France from the North Sea to the Swiss Alps. Beyond the trenches was no-man's land, an eerie wasteland where rats lived in the ribs of the dead and the wounded cried for help. Beyond that was the German Army.

The Anzacs had sailed for France to fight a war the whole world was talking about. Few who came home ever spoke about it again.

[Stan Armiger · Rating 2 out of 5]

An acccount of the the fighting on the 1st World War's western front.