Memories of Service 2 - Everard Otto

World War II veteran Everard Otto volunteered for the Territorials at 18, helping supply Americans troops based in New Zealand. But his real war story began when he turned 21 and was sent overseas. He eventually arrived in Italy as a staff car driver. Mostly behind the lines, Otto’s memory of service is based around the brutal battles for Monte Cassino, watching the cruel fighting and bombing that razed the famous hilltop monastery. Returning decades later he found the countryside largely unchanged. He even found the dugout where he spent four eventful months.

The Germans had told most of the Italians in their propaganda that if the New Zealanders come they’ll eat you. They tried to make out we were cannibals.

– Everard Otto

Key Cast & Crew

Patricia Stroud

Producer, Research

David Blyth

Director, Interviewer

Jed Town

Composer

Edward Larsen

Editor

Simon Schueller

Camera, Sound