Kiwi Virtues in a Time of Trouble
A few years ago when I was researching my WWII book Killing Rommel, I immersed myself in reading about a British commando unit called the Long Range Desert Group.
Have you heard of these guys?
Patrol vehicles of the Long Range Desert Group
They fought behind the lines against Rommel and the German Afrika Korps. Their vehicles were civilian Chevy “hundredweights,” i.e. ton-and-a-half pickups. Into these they packed fuel, water, weapons, navigation gear, and spare parts. Their theater of war was the North African desert. In patrols of six to eleven trucks they routinely ventured a thousand miles from the nearest aid to work “beat-ups” on Axis airfields and to provide reconnaissance, transport, and intelligence to Gen. Wavell and later Gen. Montgomery and the British Eighth Army.
Their numbers were never more than 350, most of whom were New Zealanders and all of whom were volunteers.
In one call for recruits, eight hundred applied. The LRDG took twelve.
What, you may be wondering, does this have to do with the corona virus and the panicky pandemic times we find ourselves in right now?
The link is the mindset that these Kiwis (and, later, Rhodesians and Brits and others) brought to one of the most emotionally and psychologically challenging assignments any soldier could face.
But here’s what was fascinating to me about the selection process for the Long Range Desert Group:
The commanders did not want supermen. They weren’t looking for elite athletes who could do five hundred pushups or fire-breathing warriors with chests plastered with decorations for valor.
The ideal volunteer to face the loneliness and isolation of the desert was a working man, preferably a husband and father. Most LRDG selectees were older by ten years than the average front-line soldier. Many were farmers and stockmen. No few owned spreads of 10,000 acres and more.
The LRDG wanted men who were happiest with their hands dirty. They sought volunteers who could fix tractors and farm equipment, who had cared for sick livestock and dealt with drought and famine and flood. They wanted men who could grade roads and dig themselves out of ditches and downpours. Patience was a virtue prized more highly than martial valor. The type of individual the LRDG sought was a fellow who could work in close quarters with others under conditions of extreme stress, who did not flee from adversity but rather sought it out and throve on it.
The commanders wanted men with a sense of humor. Good mates in a pinch, as they phrased it.
That’s what you and I need right now.
We need the Kiwi virtues.
Nothing fancy. Nothing heroic. Just do our part and be there for our mates in trouble.
[For a visual glimpse of the Long Range Desert Group, here’s a video I did a few years ago to promote Killing Rommel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHjxQmxZDuA]
DO THE WORK
Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
THE AUTHENTIC SWING
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
NOBODY WANTS TO READ YOUR SH*T
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
TURNING PRO
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
A Man At Arms is
on sale now!
Don't miss out on exclusive bonuses available to early buyers!
Amen to that! Stay safe and healthy, everyone!
My oh, my! It looks like it is here. The rise of the Enlightened Leaders. Simple Self Realized men and women, emerging from this very crisis. Cardboard leaders will all fall like domino. True values and deeper meanings will unfold rapidly.
Steven, this made me cry. To put it mildly, I really needed this, very much so. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Wishing good health for all.
KISS = keep it simple sweetheart
Happiest when their hands were dirty and patience is what stood out for me.
Thanks Steve
See at http://essaypapers.reviews/
Thank you Steve!
Thank you for the inspiration.
I got a CNN update that drinking tea provides the resistance to the virus.
@ Renita
“I’ll have what she’s having” 🙂
Hi and thank you Steve.
Yes, I have heard of these guys!
Theirs was a proper Hero’s journey, theirs was.
Love your video too.
Stay safe everyone,
Jurgen
Oh! This is my family and my country – beautifully said.
You made this Kiwi in Australia feel very loved this morning, thank you 🙂 xxx
Kiwi here Steve, feeling a little over-awed by this praise!
As it happens my father fought in Egypt in WWII, though not in the LRDG. There were a lot of those strong self-sufficient men in that generation, they needed those qualities to succeed in farming or any other outdoors endeavour back then when New Zealand had a largely rural-based economy and the country was still being “broken in”. They were useful qualities in a soldier as well.
I read Killing Rommel and loved it. I wish Dad could have read it too, he certainly would have enjoyed it.
Our current Prime Minister is doing a good job of leading the country through this pandemic when so many people are scared, she is the voice of calm and reason and appears to be making the right decisions. With so many unknowns in our current situation I think that people need to hear that calm voice.
NZ has just gone into lock-down and all non-essential workers are expected to stay home and not go out except for food and absolute essentials. Overall people seem to be taking it well.
I hope all of you and your families are well and feeling OK.
“Just do our part and be there for our mates in trouble.”
Right on.
Your description of how the men of the LRDG were selected and assessed holds true today in how Army special operators are selected–it’s more about intangible attributes and characteristics over physical skill (though the later is important, it’s not the most important thing). I recommend the same thing with my civilian clients, to identify the attributes they need in the people on their team, not just the skill they need.
As always, your thoughts and the way you share them go above and beyond to highlight an idea or concept. Thanks for all you are doing to help those of us who aspire to be like you.
Steve, great stuff man. Thanks for keep people encouraged at times like this. Have you written about the Greek god Pan? I know you are somewhat of a Greek mythology guru. I did a little research and etymological study on Pandemic due to our current times. Check if out if you have a sec, I would love to read more of your thoughts about what is going on right now, here is the research and writing I did https://terryweaverbooks.com/pandemic/
Haven’t been able to get my comments to stick here, so let me try one more time. Gathering around the tube for “The Rat Patrol” was a weekly ritual as kids. Never thought its inspiration would come up as such a powerful teaching metaphor for resilience and bonding.
Wow! through this post, you’ve opened many of my ideas, so I can learn more about many valuable things. https://littlebigsnake.online
Sir, thank you. As a kiwi I hope in some small way I measure up to ‘just do your part and be there for your mates’. Brilliant stuff.
At the point when you set up crusades for your site, you should decide applicable objectives. A few people tragically set up a battle dependent on cost and watchwords, not since quite a while ago followed catchphrases. You have to gather a great deal of information Best Content Writers about your intended interest group to set up the correct crusades to contact them. At the point when you utilize the catchphrase explore devices, center around the watchwords that are being utilized in the inquiry. These are the watchwords that you need to utilize when you create content.
Your style of writing is so unique, I’ve never seen it in other posts so far. Not only that, but the information you share is useful, so it is great that you can share more of your posts when the opportunity arises. I always follow your site because there is so much information you share that is very good for me. Thank you very much.
We can provide you with any academic writing service you need like research papers, essays, dissertations, thesis, etc. Cheap Essay Help Service UK.
“A splendid investigate the mind of battle. Where he once brought us into the Spartan line of fight at Thermopylae, Steven Press-field now brings us into the sands of the Sinai, the back streets of Old Jerusalem, and into the central cores of troopers winning a tremendously essay assignment help impossible triumph against overwhelming chances
Can Someone Do My Class Online For Me? Can I Pay Someone To Take My Class For Me? Try Us! Best Mentors Online is the best Online Class Help Company for you!
There are many stories about WWII and fortunately many books are available about the WWII. Like this post that make an advanced environment where the people could play these games.
A second without seeing each other like this life is so lonely The sky was cloudy, blue and blue when I smiled a little One day he knows all the reasons for the pleasures of life The day that predestined relationship brought us together. fireboy and watergirl
These virtues are awesome
This lesson is about a historical war which was fighting several years ago. History is my favourite subject and I will try to read your book completely.
cheap dissertation writing service
It is hard to trust on someone these days, but with our well-mannered specially hired drivers, you won’t feel a hint of awkwardness, you will feel how trustworthy they are in no time.
Wow…never heard about these before, very inspirational and we really do need these virtues.
If you are looking for a driver who can drive your car. but you are not able to find out how you can have the best driver providing service in UAE, So no need to be worried now, You are at the right place now. We take care all of your requirements. “WATSDRIVE” has very safe, sober and professional personal drivers. our first priority is to give full satisfaction to our valuable customers.
Wow great service!
Top Web Designers is one of the Web Design Company in USA that offers quality services with a huge client base, also a renowned website designing agency in the USA.
AC plays an important role during sizzling weather, keep you and your family comfy indoors. But when the AC breakdowns, it becomes a frustrating problem which we all never desire.
We all are conscious of the extremist summer weather in Pakistan. If it’s too hot outside, broken air conditioning becomes a minor concern, converting into serious pain in a matter of minutes. When your AC kicks in badly, time to call a reliable service provider for quick fixes.
From AC repairs to services to maintenance, Nayakam provides every facility at a reasonable cost. With our timely response and professional assistance, get AC repairing services conveniently.
Nayakam is cognizant that electrical chores can easily compile on your to-do list, hence we bring back you the simplest electrician services within the city! From changing or installing a light-weight bulb, LED TV mounting, pump repairing to even cistern automatic switch installation, our Mahir’s can roll in the hay all. If you would like electrician services but desire checking out “electrician home services near me” a touch overkill, you’ll always believe our experts . we offer you with the simplest solution and a variety of electrical maintenance and repair solutions.
Can someone take my online class? At best online class help you can pay someone to Do My Online Class for me. We got the finest online class takers for you.
Need to take your class online? Take Your Class Online offers best online class help! Just say take my online class for me. We offer Do My Online Class help!
Ask Takeyouronlineclasses.com take my exam for me and never get disappointed. Our online exam takers will provide you with the best online exam help.
This is Couponsva, a professional blogger I enjoy writing on multiple callings with a firm grip on specialty include digital marketing, affiliate marketing, entertainment, and e-commerce blogs.
Our online course experts will assist you topics in all areas like pay someone to take my online class for me etc.
Proctored Exam Online boost grades and provides reliable online exam help for students looking up professionals to take my online exam for me or do my online exam.