From Playgrounds to Battlefields - Piet van der Byl

 From Playgrounds to Battlefields - Piet van der Byl - Howard Timmins - 1971 - Hard cover with dust cover still in good condition.

This is the first part of a two-part autobiography and deals with the author's early years. Major van der Byl is one of the few South Africans who have won a rowing Blue at Cambridge University. He served with distinction in World War I with General Botha in South West Africa and with General Smuts in the East African campaign. Major van der Byl has had a full and interesting life and his autobiography is rich in anecdotes. He has a gift for analysis of human nature and his memories of Generals Smuts and Botha are often as moving as they are historically valuable. His description of the South West Africa campaign is also excellent.".