Sixty-five years on, interest in World War II and its impact continues. Many stories of New Zealand soldiers have already been told, but many are still emerging.
   Roland Bruce Robertson left Wellington in January 1940 for the Middle East, with the first echelon of volunteers. He served in Egypt, Libya and Syria and after a night of hell on the Alamein Line in July 1942, he became a prisoner of war.
   He endured prison camps in Italy and Germany before being liberated by the Americans in April 1945.
For the Duration is largely transcribed from Bruce’s comprehensive journals and diaries. It paints a vivid picture of one man’s war: a fascination with Middle Eastern culture, the blistering Western Desert, furious battle and the shattering blow of capture. And how using a talent helped him make the best of it as the Allies advanced into Germany and the war drew to a dramatic climax.
   One of our more detailed and perceptive personal accounts of Kiwi war service, from both active service and POW points of view.

In the Western Desert

In Weinsberg prisoner of war camp (Germany). Bruce Robertson performed in many camp entertainments, ranging from cabaret through to a full-scale Mikado, costumes and all.

Weinsberg camp was close to Heilbronn, which was bombed to smithereens in the latter stages of the war. Bruce Robertson wrote vividly and nervously about air raids going on all around the camp.