Its call sign was Fernleaf Cairo, and from 1939-46 around 76,000 Kiwis of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force passed through Maadi Camp in Egypt.

Around 17km south of Cairo, the camp appeared almost overnight, as this country's permanent overseas base during World War II.

By 1945 the camp had tarsealed roads, two cinemas, an open-air amphitheatre, canteens, bars, chapels, sports fields, a meat-pie and ice-cream factory, and - thanks to General Bernard Freyberg - swimming baths.

Egypt was a source of boundless amazement, sly humour and some disgust to the New Zealanders, an experience which left its mark, both on our language - taking a shufti - and more tangibly, the Maadi Rowing Cup.

With unpublished images and first-hand accounts, Fernleaf Cairo offers a fascinating insight into the unlikely bond young New Zealanders forged with the people and city of Cairo, including their many highly colourful experiences on leave.

Fernleaf Cairo: New Zealanders at Maadi Camp by Alex Hedley is a 2009 first edition published by HarperCollins, Auckland.

It is a large-format 272-page 15x23.5cm soft cover in near-new condition with maps and really great photographs.

There is a pen name and address details on page 3, and some sun fade to the spine and edges.

See our other listings.

Save Konzeptz as a favourite seller.

NB: Combined postage on multiple lots.

BC56806MBk ****