Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice older book in great condition. Pages in good condition. No notes or highlighting. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> The other day I read the memoirs of a private soldier and I think I learned more from him than I have from all the pundits. He told in clear language that all can understand what it was like to be a cog in the machine. Nothing can be more important than a cog for if it breaks the most mighty piece of mechanical perfection can be brought to a grinding halt. When the cog is human the implications are far greater. War is a terrible busi- ness and in war it is the soldier who counts. On his alertness all depends; on his steadfastness ground positions and even continents are held; on his spirit generals’ reputations are made and the fate of nations rests. He is the corner-stone of the edifice. Another cog is the regimental officer; he too is important. He is not the architect of war; he neither plans great campaigns nor commits armies to battle. He generally sees things as they are. As he grows more senior his influence increases but he is always the servant and rarely the master of events. He is how- ever master of his soul and this is important. My life has led me through most of the ranks in the Army. In all I completed forty-five years’ service. I have seen the machine at work from the bottom almost to the top. If all this is an adequate excuse for writing this book I offer it. Personal experiences are sometimes interesting as much so as the actual events during which they happened; at least they add colour to the stark historical fact. I have recorded my impressions of the moment and commented on these. It is with the utmost hum- ility that I offer this story to anyone who is kind enough to read it. (SP)