I've been reading the posts in this thread with some fascination. I've read most of the Max Hastings books mentioned (except Nemesis of course
), and have enjoyed every one. You do have to remind yourself that he once edited the Daily Telegraph though (re the Australian dockers). The Australian fighting man, has had and I hope still does have his own nationalistic traits. Just as every other nationality does. I must admit that I was a bit taken aback when, after being brought up on boys comics such as The Victor, The Lion and the Commando books etc, as well as various Elstree Studios war films, my adult reading helped it dawn on me that the British fighting man was not the best in the world. But this realisation happens as the events slowly slip into history.
My paternal grandfather was at Gallipoli with the Royal Horse Artillery, and told my father "Don't forget, it wasn't all bloody Anzacs out there". No resentment toward the troops, just at the way the media at the time, and afterwards, wove the myths.
Great input on the subject lads, I'd better start adding to my library.