HOWARD KIPPENBERGER - DAUNTLESS SPIRIT
Denis McLean
Random House, pbk, $39.99.
Review by Ron Tyrrell
This work covers all aspects of Sir Howard Kippenberger's unusual life, from the immigration of his paternal great-grandparents from the west bank of the Rhine (later part of Germany), to service at the age of 19 as a private in the Battle of the Somme in World War 1, the interwar years as a solicitor in Rangiora while rising to senior rank in the territorial army, and the tumultuous time during World War 2, when he sailed overseas with the first echelon and rose from a battalion commander to acting head of the New Zealand division in Italy.
Service in the ranks as a private soldier and his two hobbies - territorial soldiering and extensive reading - made him a most unusual military leader.
A born and bred New Zealander, he understood men and mixed well with them.
Kippenberger became greatly admired and respected for his leadership and example in Greece, Crete, North Africa and Italy, until his war ended with grievous wounds after he stepped on a mine at Cassino.
He handled the repatriation of the many ex-prisoners of war before returning home to become editor-in-chief of the extensive series of war histories which recounted most aspects of New Zealand's part in the conflict.
Personally, he received acclaim for Infantry Brigadier, which encompassed his service as a battalion and brigade commander.
Probably the most riveting part is the chapter describing his leadership, courage, fitness, the manner in which he exercised authority, the importance of discipline, spirit and of being decisive at critical times, and of his rapport with men of all ranks.
Unity and pride resulted from his example.
However, the author observes that mateship only went so far, for on leave Kippenberger would have a social drink, read, occasionally play chess, while his men noisily congregated in the New Zealand Services Club, a scene from which on one occasion General Bernard Freyberg made a rare personal retreat.
It was ironic that in both world wars Kippenberger's participation was prematurely ended by wounds, although the author comments that in the first he was probably fortunate for if he had returned to the trenches he would have been a likely casualty in the deadly battles of 1918.
After evacuation from Crete in a British destroyer, which narrowly avoided falling bombs, Kippenberger wrote that: "We came ashore, every man shaved and carrying his arms, formed up in threes and marched off in step, with me hatless and limping at the head."
This description is very apt.
The author, a well-known former diplomat and public servant, has written a worthy evaluation of an outstanding New Zealander.
- Ron Tyrrell is a Dunedin historian.
