The Desert Column is based on the diaries that Idriess kept throughout the war. Published in 1932, it is one of Idriess’ earliest works. Harry Chauvel noted in the foreword that it was the only book of the campaign that to his knowledge was “viewed entirely from the private soldier’s point of view.” Idriess served as a sniper with the 5th Australian Light Horse. Enlisting in 1914, he began his diary “as we crowded the decks off Gallipoli” and he continued writing until returning to Australia. The diaries cover his experience of some of the war’s major events from life in the trenches at Gallipoli to the battles at Romani and Beersheba. One of Idriess’ strengths as a writer is his ability to place the reader at the scene of the action. The diaries reveal a keenness of observation and a descriptive and pacey style that Idriess would develop further in The Desert Column.’ Australian War Memorial.
The Desert Column; leaves from the diary of an Australian trooper in Gallipoli, Sinai and Palestine is a book by Ion Idriess based on a diary he kept of his service during World War I.
Idriess kept a diary from the time he arrived in Gallipoli on 18 May 1915 until March 1918.[2] He participated in the Gallipoli Campaign where he was wounded, then later fought in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign including the Battle of Beersheeba.

When Idriess returned from the war he put his diaries with his sister in Grafton. In 1929, when he was diagnosed with cancer, he gave up his wandering to concentrate on his writing. He retrieved his diaries, which were acclaimed by some observers as Australia’s equivalent to All Quiet on the Western Front.[3] (He later also claimed his sister sent the diaries to Angus and Robertson for publication without his knowledge.

They were published in 1932 with Sir Harry Chauvel writing the introduction.

The Desert Column was one of his very early works. Sir Henry Georges Fauvel, a senior officer of the Australian Imperial Force noted in the foreword that it was the only book of the campaign that to his knowledge was ‘viewed entirely from the private soldier’s point of view’.

Idriess’ original diaries are kept in the research collection of the Australian War Memorial.

First published by Angus & Robertson publishers Australia 1932.

Idriess, Ion L. (Ion Llewellyn), 1890-1979. | World War, 1914-1918 — Personal narratives, Australian. | World War, 1914-1918 — Campaigns — Middle East. | World War, 1914-1918 — Campaigns — Turkey — Gallipoli Peninsula. | Australian
(Date on fep, otherwise as new.)

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