The Forgotten General

[htbrst]

Just a headsup about the documentary "The Forgotten General" on Prime this Sunday 8.30pm.

There has been the occasional ad for it being played on Prime, but I can't find much about it online aside from this competition:

nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/entertainment/16738531/win-with-the-forgotten-general/

Here is the summary from that page:

Based on the best-selling book by Jock Vennell, 'The Forgotten General' is a local documentary which charts the life and career of Major-General Sir Andrew Hamilton Russell, Commander of the NZ Mounted Rifles at Gallipoli and overall Commander of the 20,000 strong NZ Division on the Western Front in World War I.

Russell is regarded by some as New Zealand's one true military genius of the 20th century, and one of the very best commanders on the Western Front, from any nation. Russell is the one leader who emerged from Gallipoli with his reputation enhanced – not in tatters. Yet little of his story is known.


It looks to be quite professionally done based on the cinematography in the ad

[errolmartyn]

"Russell is regarded by some as New Zealand's one true military genius of the 20th century . . ."

Well one of three, perhaps. Keith Park and 'Mary' Coningham, although commanders in a different world war, were arguably the New Zealand military geniuses of the 20th Century.

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Sounds like a good programme, I hope I remember to watch it.

[ngatimozart]

Thanks. I'll have to remember to record it.

[flyjoe180]

His HQ on Gallipoli was of course named "Russell's Top". A fascinating man and commander. I must also make an effort to view this documentary.

[htbrst]

There is a write up in the herald this morning about this documentary:

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10878366

[11SQNLDR]

Thanks for the heads up, have just jumped off the forum onto the MySky app and set it to record, all from the comfort of my bed ;D

[Dave Homewood]

That was a really interesting and well made documentary. Well done to the people who made it.

[DragonflyDH90]

Agreed, very interesting indeed.

[phil82]

Now wait for Cameron Bennett's documentary on the veteran's trip to El Alamein to be shown on Maori TV on ANZAC Day

[aeromuzz]

Apr 16, 2013 15:08:29 GMT 12 errolmartyn said:

Well one of three, perhaps. Keith Park and 'Mary' Coningham, although commanders in a different world war, were arguably he New Zealand military geniuses of the 20th Century.

I'd suggest there's few other geniuses too, not necesarily the "Top Dogs". One that springs to mind immediately is Colonel (later Brigadier) Fred Hanson, commander of the Sappers. Some of his ideas and techniques were so effective that they became standard procedures throughout the allied forces. He was reknown and respected throughout the allied forces in North Africa and Italy and was an integral part of Freyberg's successes in those campaigns. He is also famous for arguing with Montgomery and not getting sacked!

And just to link him with the original topic, he served in WWI on the Western Front in the Welligton Regiment and won an Military Medal for knocking out a German machinegun post.

[ngatimozart]

I watched Forgotten General last night and it was really interesting. He certainly was an impressive General. I'll have to read a bit about him. I did learn a lot fom that doco and I second Daves remarks; a well done to the doco makers.

[flyjoe180]

I saw it too, a very interesting documentary.

[baronbeeza]

On again tonight, like in 10 minutes on Prime.

[Luther Moore]

This will be on the History channel tomorrow at 7.30pm Australian time. Not sure if it will be on in NZ.