Ernest Dunlop Swinton

ERNEST DUNLOP SWINTON

THE DEFENCE of DUFFER’S DRIFT

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The Defence of Duffer’s Drift Prologue First Dream Second Dream Third Dream Fourth Dream Fifth Dream Sixth Dream

The Battle of Booby’s Bluffs Preface Prologue First Solution Second Solution Third Solution Fourth Solution Fifth Solution An Approved Solution

The Defence of Duffer’s Drift

By Ernest Dunlop Swinton

3 Prologue

UPON an evening after a long and tiring trek, I arrived at Dreamdorp. The local atmosphere, combined with a heavy meal, are responsible for the following nightmare, consisting of a series of dreams. To make the sequence of the whole intelligible, it is necessary to explain that, though the scene of each vision was the same, yet by some curious mental process I had no recollection of the place whatsoever. In each dream the locality was totally new to me, and I had an entirely fresh detachment. Thus I had not the great advantage of working over familiar ground. One thing, and one only, was carried on from dream to dream, and that was the vivid recollection of the general lessons previously learnt. These finally produced success. The whole series of dreams, however, remained in my memory as a connected whole when I awoke.

First Dream

“Any fool can get into a hole.”—Old Chinese proverb.

“If left to you, for defence make spades.”—Bridge Maxim.

I FELT lonely, and not a little sad, as I stood on the bank of the river near Duffer’s Drift and watched the red dust haze, raised by the southward departing column in the distance, turn slowly into gold as it hung in the afternoon sunlight. It was just three o’clock, and here I was on the banks of the Silliaasvogel river, left behind by my column with a party of fifty N.C.O.’s and men to hold the drift. It was an important ford, because it was the only one across which wheeled traffic could pass

© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,for Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.some © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011miles Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorup Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoror Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor downMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, theInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011river. Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor The river was a sluggish stream, not now in flood, crawling along at the very bottom of its bed between steep banks which were almost vertical, or at any rate too steep for wagons everywhere except at the drift itself. The banks from the river edge to their tops and some distance outwards were covered with dense thorn and other bushes, which formed a screen impenetrable to the sight. They were also broken by small

4 ravines and holes, where the earth had been eaten away by the river when in flood, and were consequently very rough. Some two thousand odd yards north of the drift was a flat-topped, rocky mountain, and about a mile to the northeast appeared the usual sugar-loaf kopje, covered with bushes and boulders—steep on the south, but gently falling to the north; this had a farm on the near side of it. About a thousand yards south of the drift was a convex and smooth hill, somewhat like an inverted basin, sparsely sown with small boulders, and with a Kaffir kraal, consisting of a few grass and mud huts on top. Between the river and the hills on the north the ground consisted of open and almost level veldt; on the south bank the veldt was more undulating, and equally open. The whole place was covered with ant-hills. My orders were—to hold Duffer’s Drift at all costs. That I should probably be visited by some column within three or four days’ time. That I might possibly be attacked before that time, but that this was very unlikely, as no enemy were known to be within a hundred miles. That the enemy had guns. It all seemed plain enough except that the true inwardness of the last piece of information did not strike me at the time. Though in company with fifty “good men and true,” it certainly made me feel somewhat lonely and marooned to be left out there comparatively alone on the boundless veldt; but the chance of an attack filled me, and, I am quite sure, my men with martial ardor; and at last here was the chance I had so often longed for. This was my first “show,” my first independent command, and I was determined to carry out my orders to the bitter end. I was young and inexperienced, it is true, but I had passed all my examinations with fair success; my men were a good willing lot, with the traditions of a glorious regiment to uphold, and would, I knew, do all I should require of them. We were also well supplied with ammunition and © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,rations; Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.and © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,had Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantora Media, Inc. © 2011number Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,picks, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorshovels Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor andMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorsandbags, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantore Media,t Inc. © 2011 Tantorcetera, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor which I confess had been rather forced on me. As I turned towards my gallant little detachment, visions of a bloody and desperate fight crossed my mind—a fight to the last cartridge, and then an appeal to cold steel, with ultimate victory—and—— But a discreet cough at my elbow brought me back to realities, and warned me that my color-sergeant was waiting for orders.

5 After a moment’s consideration, I decided to pitch my small camp on a spot just south of the drift, because it was slightly rising ground, which I knew should be chosen for a camp whenever possible. It was, moreover, quite close to the drift, which was also in its favor, for, as everyone knows, if you are told off to guard anything, you mount a guard quite close to it, and place a sentry, if possible, standing on top of it. The place picked out by me also had the river circling round three sides of it in a regular horseshoe bend, which formed a kind of ditch, or, as the book says, “a natural obstacle.” I was indeed lucky to have such an ideal place close at hand; nothing could have been more suitable. I came to the conclusion that, as the enemy were not within a hundred miles, there would be no need to place the camp in a state of defence till the following day. Besides, the men were tired after their long trek, and it would be quite as much as they could do comfortably to arrange nice and shipshape all the stores and tools, which had been dumped down anyhow in a heap, pitch the camp, and get their teas before dark. Between you and me, I was really relieved to be able to put off my defensive measures till the morrow, because I was a wee bit puzzled as to what to do. In fact, the more I thought, the more puzzled I grew. The only “measures of defence” I could recall for the moment were, how to tie “a thumb or overhand knot,” and how long it takes to cut down an apple tree of six inches’ diameter. Unluckily neither of these useful facts seemed quite to apply. Now, if they had given me a job like fighting the battle of Waterloo, or Sedan, or Bull Run, I knew all about that, as I had crammed it up and been examined in it, too. I also knew how to take up a position for a division, or even an army corps, but the stupid little subaltern’s game of the defence of a drift with a small detachment was, curiously enough, most perplexing. I had never really considered such a © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,thing. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011However, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©in 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©the 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorlight Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor myMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©habitual 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantordealings Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,with Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,army Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, corps,Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorit Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor would, no doubt, be child’s-play after a little thought. Having issued my immediate orders accordingly, I decided to explore the neighborhood, but was for a moment puzzled as to which direction I should take; for, having no horse, I could not possibly get all round before dark. After a little thought, it flashed across my mind that obviously I should go to the north. The bulk of the enemy being away to

6 the north, that, of course, must be the front. I knew naturally that there must be a front, because in all the schemes I had had to prepare, or the exams I had undergone, there was always a front, or—“the place where the enemies come from.” How often, also, had I not had trouble in getting out of a dull sentry which his “front” and what his “beat” was. The north, then, being my front, the east and west were my flanks, where there might possibly be enemies, and the south was my rear, where naturally there were none. I settled these knotty points to my satisfaction, and off I trudged, with my field-glasses and, of course, my kodak, directing my steps towards the Dutch farm, with gleaming white walls, nestling under the kopje to the northeast. It was quite a snug little farm for South Africa, surrounded by blue gums and fruit trees. About a quarter of a mile from the farm I was met by the owner, Mr. Andreas Brink, a tame or surrendered Boer farmer, and his two sons, Piet and Gert. Such a nice man, too, with a pleasant face and long beard. He would insist on calling me “captain,” and as any correction might have confused him, I did not think it worth while to make any, and after all I wasn’t so very far from my “company.” The three of them positively bristled with dog’s-eared and dirty passes from every provost marshal in South Africa, which they insisted on showing me. I had not thought of asking for them, and was much impressed; to have so many they must be special men. They escorted me to the farm, where the guid wife and several daughters met us, and gave me a drink of milk, which was most acceptable after my long and dusty trek. The whole family appeared either to speak or to understand English, and we had a very friendly chat, during the course of which I gathered that there were no Boer commandoes anywhere within miles; that the whole family cordially hoped that there never would be again, and that Brink was really a most loyal Briton, and had been much © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,against Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011war, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©but 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,had Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011been Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorforced Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©to 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011go Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoron Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,commando Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011with Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © his2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantortwo Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor sons. Their loyalty was evident, because there was an oleograph of the Queen on the wall, and one of the numerous flappers was playing our National anthem on the harmonium as I entered. The farmer and the boys took a great interest in all my personal gear, especially a brand-new pair of latest-pattern field-glasses, which they tried with much delight, and many exclamations of “Allermachtig.” They

7 evidently appreciated them extremely, but could not imagine any use for my kodak in war-time, even after I had taken a family group. Funny, simple fellows! They asked and got permission from me to sell milk, eggs, and butter in the camp, and I strolled on my way congratulating myself on the good turn I was thus able to do myself and detachment, none of whom had even smelt such luxuries for weeks. After an uneventful round, I directed my steps back towards the thin blue threads of smoke, rising vertically in the still air, which alone showed the position of my little post, and as I walked the peacefulness of the whole scene impressed me. The landscape lay bathed in the warm light of the setting sun, whose parting rays tinged most strongly the various heights within view, and the hush of approaching evening was only broken by the distant lowing of oxen, and by the indistinct and cheerful hum of the camp, which gradually grew louder as I approached. I strolled along in quite a pleasant frame of mind, meditating over the rather curious names which Mr. Brink had given me for the surrounding features of the landscape. The kopje above his farm was called Incidentamba, the flat-topped mountain some two miles to the north was called Regret Table Mountain, and the gently rising hill close to the drift on the south of the river was called Waschout Hill. Everything was going on well, and the men were at their teas when I got back. The nice Dutchman, with his apostolic face, and the lanky Piet and Gert, were already there, surrounded by a swarm of men, to whom they were selling their wares at exorbitant rates. The three of them strolled about the camp, showing great interest in everything, asking most intelligent questions about the British forces and the general position of affairs, and seemed really relieved to have a strong British post near. They did not even take offence when some of the rougher men called them “blarsted Dutchmen,” and refused to converse with them, or buy their “skoff.” About dusk they left, with © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,many Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.promises © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorto Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorreturn Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.with © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,a Inc. © 2011 Tantorfresh Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorsupply Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011on Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,morrow. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor After writing out my orders for next day—one of which was for digging some trenches round the camp, an operation which I knew my men, as becomes good British soldiers, disliked very much, and regarded as fatigues—I saw the two guards mounted, one at the drift, and the other some little way down the river, each furnishing one sentry on the river bank.

8 When all had turned in, and the camp was quite silent, it was almost comforting to hear the half-hourly cry of the sentries—“Number one— all is well;” “Number two—all is well.” By this sound I was able to locate them, and knew they were at their proper posts. On going round sentries about midnight, I was pleased to find that they were both alert, and that, as it was a cold night, each guard had built a bonfire, silhouetted in the cheerful blaze of which stood the sentry—a clear-cut monument to all round that here was a British sentry fully on the qui-vive. After impressing them with their orders, the extent of their “beat,” and the direction of their “front,” etc., I turned in. The fires they had built, besides being a comfort to themselves, were also useful to me, because twice during the night when I looked out I could, without leaving my tent, plainly see them at their posts. I finally fell asleep, and dreamt of being decorated with a crossbelt made of V.C.’s and D.S.O.’s and of wearing red tabs all down my back.

***

I was suddenly awoken, about the grey of dawn, by a hoarse cry— “Halt! who goes——” cut short by the unmistakable “plip-plop” of a Mauser rifle. Before I was off my valise, the reports of Mausers rang around the camp from every side; these, mingled with the smack of the bullets as they hit the ground and stripped the “zipzip” of the leaden hail through the tents, and the curses and groans of men who were hit as they lay or stumbled about trying to get out, made a hellish din. There was some wild shooting in return from my men, but it was all over in a moment, and as I managed to wriggle out of my tent the whole place was swarming with bearded men, shooting into the heaving canvas. At that moment I must have been clubbed on the head, for I knew no more until © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011 Tantorfound Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.myself © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.seated © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,on Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.an © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011empty Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.case © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.having © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, myInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorhead, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,which Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwas Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor dripping with blood, tied up by one of my men.

***

Our losses were ten men killed, including both sentries, and twenty- one wounded; the Boers, one killed and two wounded.

9 ***

Later on, as, at the order of the not ill-natured but very frowzy Boer commandant, I was gloomily taking off the saucy warm spotted waistcoat knitted for me by my sister, I noticed our friends of the previous evening in very animated and friendly conversation with the burghers, and “Pappa” was, curiously enough, carrying a rifle and bandolier and my new field-glasses. He was laughing and pointing towards something lying on the ground, through which he finally put his foot. This, to my horror, I recognized as my unhappy camera. Here, I suppose, my mind must have slightly wandered, for I found myself repeating some Latin lines, once my favorite imposition, but forgotten since my school-days—

“Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes—”

when suddenly the voice of the field cornet broke into my musing with “Your breeches, too, captain.”

***

Trekking all that day on foot, sockless, and in the boots of another, I had much to think of besides my throbbing head. The sight of the long Boer convoy with guns, which had succeeded so easily in crossing the drift I was to have held, was a continual reminder of my failure, and of my responsibility for the dreadful losses to my poor detachment. I gradually gathered from the Boers what I had already partially guessed, namely, that they had been fetched and guided all round our camp by friend Brink, had surrounded it in the dark, crawling about in the bush on the river bank, and had carefully marked down our two poor sentries. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,These Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 theyTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 hadTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©at 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011once Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 shotTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011on Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011alarm Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,being Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011given, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor hadMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthen Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor rushed the camp from the dense cover on three sides. Towards evening my head got worse, and its rhythmic throbbing seemed gradually to take a meaning, and hammered out the following lessons, the result of much pondering on my failure: 1. Do not put off taking your measures of defence till the morrow, as this is more important than the comfort of your men or the shipshape

10 arrangement of your camp. Choose the position of your camp mainly with reference to your defence. 2. Do not in war-time show stray men of the enemy’s breed all over your camp, be they never so kind and full of butter, and do not be hypnotized, by numerous “passes,” at once to confide in them. 3. Do not let your sentries advertise their position to the whole world, including the enemy, by standing in the full glare of a fire, and making much noise every half hour. 4. Do not, if avoidable, be in tents when bullets are ripping through them: at such times a hole in the ground is worth many tents. After these lessons had been dinned into my soul millions and millions of times, so that I could never forget them, a strange thing came to pass—there was a kaleidoscopic change. I had another dream.

Second Dream

“And what did ye look they should compass? Warcraft learnt in a breath, Knowledge unto occasion at the first far view of Death?” —Kipling.

I SUDDENLY found myself dumped down at Duffer’s Drift with the same orders as already detailed, and an equal detachment composed of entirely different men. As before, and on every subsequent occasion, I had ample stores, ammunition, and tools. My position was precisely similar to my former one, with this important exception, running through my brain were four lessons. As soon as I received my orders, therefore, I began to make out my plan of operations without wasting any time over the landscape, the setting sun, or the departing column, which, having off-loaded all our © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,stores, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorsoon Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorvanished. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011I Tantor Media,was Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantordetermined Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, toInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, carryInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. out© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorall Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©lessons 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. I© 2011 Tantor hadMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor learnt as well as I knew how. To prevent any strangers, friendly or otherwise, from coming into my position and spying out the elaborate defences I was going to make, I sent out at once two examining posts of one N.C.O. and three men each, one to the top of Waschout Hill, and the other some 1,000 yards out on the veldt to the north of the drift. Their orders were to watch the

11 surrounding country, and give the alarm in the event of the approach of any body of men whatever (Boers were, of course, improbable, but still just possible), and also to stop any individuals, friendly or not, from coming anywhere near camp, and to shoot at once on non-compliance with the order to halt. If the new-comers had any provisions to sell, these were to be sent in with a list by one of the guard, who would return with the money, but the strangers were not to be allowed nearer the camp on any account. Having thus arranged a safeguard against spies, I proceeded to choose a camping-ground. I chose the site already described in my former dream, and for the same reasons, which still appealed to me. So long as I was entrenched, it appeared the best place around. We started making our trenches as soon as I had marked off a nice squarish little enclosure which would about contain our small camp. Though, of course, the north was the front, I thought, having a camp, it would be best to have an all- round defence as a sort of obstacle. The majority of the men were told off to dig, which they did not relish, a few being detailed to pitch camp and prepare tea. As the length of trench was rather great for the available number of diggers, and the soil was hard, we were only able by dark, by which time the men were quite done up by their hard day, to make quite a low parapet and shallow trench. Still, we were “entrenched,” which was the great thing, and the trench was all round our camp, so we were well prepared, even should we be attacked during the night or early next morning, which was out of the question. During this time one or two strangers had approached the guard of the north from a farm under Incidentamba. As they had eggs and butter, etc., to sell, these were brought in as arranged for. The man sent in with the stuff reported that the elder of the Dutchmen was a most pleasant man, and had sent me a present of a pat of butter and some eggs, with his © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,compliments, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011and Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. would© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011 Tantor allowMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011him Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©to 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011come Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,in Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.and © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,speak Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorto Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorme. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor However, not being such a fool as to allow him in my defences, I went out instead, in case he had any information. His only information was that there were no Boers anywhere near. He was an old man, but though he had a museum of “passes,” I was not to be chloroformed by them into confidence. As he seemed friendly, and possibly loyal, I walked part of the way back to his farm with him, in order to look around. At dark the

12 two examining posts came in, and two guards were mounted close by the object I was to watch, namely, the drift, at the same places as in my previous dream. This time, however, there was no half-hourly shouting, nor were there any fires, and the sentries had orders not to challenge but to shoot any person they might see outside camp at once. They were placed standing down the river bank, just high enough to see over the top, and were thus not unnecessarily exposed. Teas had been eaten, and all fires put out at dusk, and after dark all turned in, but in the trenches instead of in tents. After going round sentries to see everything snug for the night, I lay down myself with a sense of having done my duty, and neglected no possible precaution for our safety.

***

Just before dawn much the same happened as already described in my first dream, except that the ball was started by a shot without challenge from one of our sentries at something moving among the bush, which resulted in close range fire opening onto us from all sides. This time we were not rushed, but a perfect hail of bullets whistled in from every direction—from in front of each trench, along each trench, and from behind each trench, and over and through our parapet. It was sufficient to put a hand or head up to have a dozen bullets through and all round it, and the strange part was, we saw no one. As the detachment wag plaintively remarked, we could have seen lots of Boers, “if wasn’t for the bushes in between.” After vainly trying until bright daylight to see the enemy in order to do some damage in return, so many men were hit, and the position seemed so utterly hopeless, that I had to hoist the white flag. We had by then twenty-four men killed and six wounded. As soon as the white flag © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,went Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,up Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©the 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor BoersMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©ceased 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, firingInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011at Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011once, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor andMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011stood Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,up; Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011every Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorbush Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor ant-hill up to 100 yards’ range seemed to have hid a Boer behind it. This close range explained the marvelous accuracy of their shooting, and the great proportion of our killed (who were nearly all shot through the head) to our wounded. As we were collecting ourselves preparatory to marching off, there were one or two things which struck me; one was that the Dutchman who

13 had presented me with eggs and butter was in earnest confabulation with the Boer commandant, who was calling him “Oom” most affectionately. I also noticed that all the male Kaffirs from the neighboring kraal had been fetched and impressed to assist in getting the Boer guns and wagons across the drift and to load up our captured gear, and generally do odd and dirty jobs. These same Kaffirs did their work with amazing alacrity, and looked as if they enjoyed it; there was no “backchat” when an order was given—usually by friend “Oom.” Again, as I trudged with blistered feet that livelong day, did I think over my failure. It seemed so strange, I had done all I knew, and yet, here we were, ignominiously captured, twenty-four of us killed, and the Boers over the drift. “Ah, B.F., my boy,” I thought, “there must be a few more lessons to be learnt besides those you already know,” and in order to find out what these were, I pondered deeply over the details of the fight. How the Boers must have known of our position, and how they had managed to get close up all round within snapshooting range without being discovered. What a tremendous advantage they had had in shooting from among the bushes on the bank, where they could not be seen, over us who had to show up over a parapet every time we looked for an enemy, and show up, moreover, just in the very place where every Boer expected us to, and was watching. There seemed to be some fault in the position. How the bullets seemed sometimes to come through the parapet, and how those that passed over one side hit the men defending the other side in the back. How on the whole that “natural obstacle,” the river bed, seemed to be more of a disadvantage than a protection. Eventually the following lessons framed themselves in my head— some of them quite new, some of them supplementing those four I had already learnt: 5. With modern rifles, to guard a drift or locality does not necessitate © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,sitting Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011on Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantortop Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.of © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©it 2011 Tantor Media, (asInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011if Tantor Media, Inc. ©it 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.could © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011be Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorpicked Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011up Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorand Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.carried © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,away), Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,unless Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor the locality is suitable to hold for other and defensive reasons. It may even be much better to take up your defensive position some way from the spot, and so away from concealed ground, which enables the enemy to crawl up to very close range, concealed and unperceived, and to fire from cover which hides them even when shooting. It would be better, if

14 possible, to have the enemy in the open, or to have what is called a clear “field of fire.” A non-bullet proof parapet or shelter which is visible serves merely to attract bullets instead of keeping them out—the proof-thickness can be easily tested practically. When fired at by an enemy at close range from nearly all round, a low parapet and shallow trench are not of much use, as what bullets do not hit the defenders on one side hit those on another. 6. It is not enough to keep strange men of the enemy’s breed away from your actual defences, letting them go free to warn their friends of your existence and whereabouts—even though they do not know the details of your defences. It would be very much better to gather in all such strangers and kindly, but firmly, to take care of them, so that they should not be under temptation to impart any knowledge they may have obtained. “Another way,” as the cookery book says, more economical in lives, would be as follows: Gather and warmly greet a sufficiency of strangers. Stuff well with chestnuts as to the large force about to join you in a few hours; garnish with corroborative detail, and season according to taste with whiskey or tobacco. This will very likely be sufficient for the nearest commando. Probable cost—some heavy and glib lying, but no lives will be expended. 7. It is not business to allow lazy black men (even though they be brothers and neutrals) to sit and pick their teeth outside their kraals whilst tired white men are breaking their hearts trying to do heavy labor in short time. It is more the duty of a Christian soldier to teach the dusky neutral the dignity of labor, and to keep him under guard, to prevent his going away to talk about it. By the time the above lessons had been well burnt into my brain, beyond all chance of forgetfulness, a strange thing happened—I had a © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,fresh Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,dream. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor

15 Third Dream

“So when we take tea with a few guns, o’ course you will know what to do—hoo! hoo!”—Kipling.

I WAS at Duffer’s Drift on a similar sunny afternoon and under precisely similar conditions, except that I now had seven lessons running through my mind. I at once sent out two patrols, each of one N.C.O. and three men, one to the north and one to the south. They were to visit all neighboring farms and kraals and bring in all able-bodied Dutchmen and boys and male Kaffirs—by persuasion if possible, but by force if necessary. This would prevent the news of our arrival being carried around to any adjacent commandoes, and would also assist to solve the labor question. A small guard was mounted on the top of Waschout Hill as a look-out. I decided that as the drift could not get up and run away, it was not necessary to take up my post or position quite close to it, especially as such a position would be under close rifle fire from the river bank, to which the approaches were quite concealed, and which gave excellent cover. The very worst place for such a position seemed to be anywhere within the horseshoe bend of the river, as this would allow an enemy practically to surround it. My choice, therefore, fell on a spot to which the ground gently rose from the river bank some 700 to 800 yards south of the drift. Here I arranged to dig a trench roughly facing the front (north) which thus would have about 800 yards clear ground on its front. We started to make a trench about fifty yards long for my fifty men, according to the usual rule. Some little time after beginning, the patrols came in, having collected three Dutchmen and two boys, and about thirteen Kaffirs. The former, © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011leader Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,of Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.whom © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor seemedMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,a Inc. © 2011 Tantorman Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor educationMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorand Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011some Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorimportance, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor were at first inclined to protest when they were given tools to dig trenches for themselves, showed bundles of “passes,” and talked very big about complaining to the General, and even as to a question in the “House” about our brutality. This momentarily staggered me, as I could not help wondering what might happen to poor B.F. if the member for Upper Tooting should raise the point; but Westminster was far away, and

16 I hardened my heart. Finally they had the humor to see the force of the argument, that it was, after all, necessary, for their own health, as they would otherwise be out in the open veldt, should the post be attacked. The Kaffirs served as a welcome relief to my men as they got tired. They also dug a separate hole for themselves on one side of and behind our trench, in a small ravine. By evening we had quite a decent trench dug—the parapet was about two feet six inches thick at the top, and was quite bullet-proof, as I tested it. Our trench was not all in one straight line, but in two portions, broken back at a slight angle, so as to get a more divergent fire [rather cunning of me], though each half was of course as straight as I could get it. It was astonishing what difficulty I had to get the men to dig in a nice straight line. I was particular as to this point, because I once heard a certain captain severely “told off” at manœuvres by a very senior officer for having his trenches “out of dressing.” No one could tell whether some “brass hat” might not come around and inspect us next day, so it was as well to be prepared for anything. At dusk the guard on Waschout Hill, for whom a trench had also been dug, was relieved and increased to six men, and after teas and giving out the orders for the next day, we all “turned in” in our trenches. The tents were not pitched, as we were not going to occupy them, and it was no good merely showing up our position. A guard was mounted over our prisoners, or rather “guests,” and furnished one sentry to watch over them. Before falling asleep I ran over my seven lessons, and it seemed to me I had left nothing undone which could possibly help towards success. We were entrenched, had a good bullet-proof defence, all our rations and ammunition close at hand in the trenches, and water-bottles filled. It was with a contented feeling of having done everything right and of being © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,quite Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,“the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorlittle Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwhite Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor-haired Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorboy” Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthat Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. I© 2011 Tantorgradually Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011dozed Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,off. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Next morning dawned brightly and uneventfully, and we had about an hour’s work improving details of our trenches before breakfasts were ready. Just as breakfast was over, the sentry on Waschout Hill reported a cloud of dust away to the north, by Regret Table Mountain. This was caused by a large party of men mounted with wheeled transport of some

17 sort. They were most probably the enemy, and seemed to be trekking in all innocence of our presence for the drift. What a “scoop,” I thought, if they come on quite unsuspecting, and cross the drift in a lump without discerning our position. I shall lie low, let the advanced party go past without a shot, and wait until the main body gets over this side within close range, and then open magazine fire into the thick of them. Yes, it will be just when they reach that broken ant-hill about 400 yards away that I shall give the word “Fire!” However, it was not to be. After a short time the enemy halted, apparently for consideration. The advanced men seemed to have a consultation, and then gradually approached Incidentamba farm with much caution. Two or three women ran out and waved, whereupon these men galloped up to the farm at once. What passed, of course, we could not tell, but evidently the women gave information as to our arrival and position, because the effect was electrical. The advanced Boers split up into two main parties, one riding towards the river a long way to the east, and another going similarly to the west. One man galloped back with the information obtained to the main body, which became all bustle, and started off with their wagons behind Incidentamba, when they were lost to sight. Of course, they were all well out of range, and as we were quite ready, the only thing to do was to wait till they came out in the open within range, and then to shoot them down. The minutes seemed to crawl—five, then ten minutes passed with no further sign of the enemy. Suddenly, “Beg pardon, sir; I think I see somethink on top of that kop-je on the fur side yonder.” One of the men drew my attention to a few specks which looked like wagons moving about on the flattish shoulder of Incidentamba. Whilst I was focussing my glasses there was a “boom” from the hill, followed by a sharp report and a puff of smoke up in the air quite close by, then the sound as of © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,heavy Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011r Tantorain Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.pattering © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantordown Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, someInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©two 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,hundred Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © feet2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,in Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,front Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.of © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantortrench, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor each drop raising its own little cloud of dust. This, of course, called forth the time-honored remarks of “What ho, she bumps!” and “Now we shan’t be long,” which proved only too true. I was aghast—I had quite forgotten the possibility of guns being used against me, though, had I remembered their existence, I do not know with my then knowledge, what difference it would have made to my defensive measures. As there

18 was some little uneasiness among my men, I, quite cheerful in the security of our nice trench with the thick bullet-proof parapet, at once shouted out, “It’s all right, men; keep under cover, and they can’t touch us.” A moment later there was a second boom, the shell whistled over our heads, and the hillside some way behind the trench was spattered with bullets. By this time we were crouching as close as possible to the parapet, which, though it had seemed only quite a short time before so complete, now suddenly felt most woefully inadequate, with those beastly shells dropping their bullets down from the sky. Another boom. This time the shell burst well, and the whole ground in front of the trench was covered with bullets, one man being hit. At this moment rifle fire began on Waschout Hill, but no bullets came our way. Almost immediately another shot followed which showered bullets all over us; a few more men were hit, whose groans were unpleasant to listen to. Tools were seized, and men began frantically to try and dig themselves deeper into the hard earth, as our trench seemed to give no more protection from the dropping bullets than a saucer would from a storm of rain—but it was too late. We could not sink into the earth fast enough. The Boers had got the range of the trench to a nicety, and the shells burst over us now with a horrible methodic precision. Several men were hit, and there was no reason why the enemy should cease to rain shrapnel over us until we were all killed. As we were absolutely powerless to do anything, I put up the white flag. All I could do was to thank Providence that the enemy had no quick-firing field guns, or, though “we had not been long,” we should have been blotted out before we could have hoisted it. As soon as the gun-fire ceased, I was greatly surprised to find that no party of Boers came down from their artillery position on Incidentamba to take our surrender, but within three minutes some fifty Boers galloped © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,up Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, fromInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 riverTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011bank Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoron Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.east © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011the Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor west,Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantora Media, Inc. few© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,more Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,came Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.up © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor from the south round Waschout Hill. The guard on Waschout Hill, which had done a certain amount of damage to the enemy, had two men wounded by rifle fire. Not a single shell had come near them, though they were close to the Kaffir huts, which were plain enough.

***

19 What an anti-climax the reality had been from the pleasurable anticipations of the early morn, when I had first sighted the Boers. Of course, the women on the farm had betrayed us, but it was difficult to make out why the Boers had at first halted and begun to be suspicious before they had seen the women at the farm. What could they have discovered? I failed entirely to solve this mystery. During the day’s trek the following lessons slowly evolved themselves, and were stored in my mind in addition to those already learnt. 8. When collecting the friendly stranger and his sons in order to prevent their taking information to the enemy of your existence and whereabouts, if you are wishful for a “surprise packet,” do not forget also to gather his wife and his daughter, his manservant and his maidservant (who also have tongues), and his ox and his ass (which may possibly serve the enemy). Of course, if they are very numerous or very far off, this is impossible; only do not then hope to surprise the enemy. 9. Do not forget that, if guns are going to be used against you, a shallow trench with a low parapet some way from it is worse than useless, even though the parapet be bullet-proof ten times over. The trench gives the gunners an object to lay on, and gives no protection from shrapnel. Against well-aimed long-range artillery fire it would be better to scatter the defenders in the open, hidden in grass and bushes, or behind stones or ant-hills, than to keep them huddled in such a trench. With your men scattered around you can safely let the enemy fill your trench to the brim with shrapnel bullets. 10. Though to stop a shrapnel bullet much less actual thickness of earth is necessary than to stop a rifle bullet, yet this earth must be in the right place. For protection you must be able to get right close under the cover. As narrow a trench as possible, with the sides and inside of the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,parapet Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,as Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.steep © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011as Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthey Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwill Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011stand, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,will Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor giveMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoryou Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 theTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,best Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,chance. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.To © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor hollow out the bottom of the trench sides to give extra room will be even better, because the open top of the trench can be kept the less wide. The more like a mere slit the open top of the trench is, the fewer shrapnel bullets will get in. While chewing over these lessons learnt from bitter experience, I had yet another dream.

20 Fourth Dream

“O wad some power the giftie gie us, To see oursels as others see us!”—Burns.

AGAIN did I find myself facing the same problem, this time with ten lessons to guide me. I started off by sending out patrols, as described in my last dream, but their orders were slightly different. All human beings were to be brought into our post, and any animals which could be of use to the enemy were to be shot, as we had no place for them. For my defensive post I chose the position already described in my last dream, which seemed very suitable, for the reasons already given. We consequently dug a trench similar in plan to that already described, but, as I feared the possibility of guns being used against us, it was of a very different section. In plan it faced north generally, and was slightly broken forward to the front, each half being quite straight. In section it was about three feet six inches deep, with a parapet about twelve inches high in front of it; we made the trench as narrow as possible at the top compatible with free movement. Each man hollowed out the under part of the trench to suit himself, and made his own portion of the parapet to suit his height. The parapet was about two feet six inches thick at the top and quite steep inside, being built up of pieces of broken ant-heap, which were nearly as hard as stone. The patrols returned shortly with their bag of a few men, women, and children. The women indulged in much useless abuse, and refused to obey orders, taking the matter less philosophically than their mankind. Here was evidently an opportunity of making use of the short training I had once had as A.D.C. I tried it. I treated the ladies with tons of “tact” in my suavest manner, and repeated the only Dutch words of comfort I © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,knew Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,—“ Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. Al© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorzal Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. recht© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorkom” Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor—but Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. to© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011no Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,purpose. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011They Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,had Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantornot Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011been Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor brought up to appreciate tact; in fact, they were not taking any. I turned regretfully round to the color-sergeant, winked solemnly and officially, and seeing an answering but respectful quiver in his left eyelid, said: “Color-sergeant.” “Sir?” “Which do you think is the best way of setting alight to a farm?”

21 “Well, sir, some prefer the large bedstead and straw, but I think the ’armonium and a little kerosene in one corner is as neat as anything.” There was no need for more—the ladies quite understood this sort of tact; the trouble was over. The Dutchmen and Kaffirs were at once started digging shelters for themselves and the women and children. The latter were placed together, and were put into a small ravine not far from the trench, as it was necessary to place them in a really deep trench, firstly to keep them safe, and secondly to prevent their waving or signalling to the enemy. The existence of this ravine, therefore, saved much digging, as it only required some hollowing out at the bottom and a little excavation to suit admirably. All dug with a will, and by night the shelters for the women and children and men prisoners, and the firing trench, were nearly done. All arrangements for the guards and sentries were the same as those described in the last dream, and after seeing everything was all correct and the ladies provided with tents to crawl under (they had their own blankets), I went to sleep with a feeling of well-earned security. At daybreak next morning, as there were no signs of any enemy, we continued to improve our trench, altering the depth and alignment where necessary, each man suiting the size of the trench to his own legs. In the end the trench really looked quite neat, with the fresh red earth contrasting with the yellow of the veldt. As one of my reservists remarked, it only wanted an edging of oyster shells or ginger-beer bottles to be like his little “broccoli patch” at home. Upon these important details and breakfast a good two hours had been spent, when a force was reported to the north in the same position as described in the previous dream. It advanced in the same manner, except, of course, the advance men were met by no one at the farm. When I saw this, I could not help © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,patting Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantormyself Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011on Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,back Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorsm Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoriling Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorat Media, Inc. © 2011the Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Dutch Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011ladies Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorin Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.pit, © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 whoTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor only scowled at me in return, and (whisper) spat! The advanced party of the enemy came on, scouting carefully and stalking the farm as they came. As they appeared quite unwarned, I was wondering if I should be able to surprise them, all innocent of our presence, with a close-range volley, and then magazine fire into their midst, when suddenly one man stopped and the others gathered round

22 him. This was when they were some 1,800 yards away, about on a level with the end of Incidentamba. They had evidently seen something and sniffed danger, for there was a short palaver and much pointing. A messenger then galloped back to the main body, which turned off behind Incidentamba with its wagons, et cetera. A small number, including a man on a white horse, rode off in a vague way to the west. The object of this move I could not quite see. They appeared to have a vehicle with them of some sort. The advanced party split up as already described. As all were still at long range, we could only wait. Very shortly “boom” went a gun from the top of Incidentamba, and a shrapnel shell burst not far from us. A second and third followed, after which they soon picked up our range exactly, and the shell began to burst all about us; however, we were quite snug and happy in our nice deep trench, where we contentedly crouched. The waste of good and valuable shrapnel shell by the enemy was the cause of much amusement to the men, who were in great spirits, and, as one of them remarked, were “as cosy as cockroaches in a crack.” At the expenditure of many shells two men only were hit—in the legs. After a time the guns ceased fire, and we at once manned the parapet and stood up to repel an attack, but we could see no Boers, though the air began at once to whistle and hum with bullets. Nearly all these seemed to come from the river-bank in front, to the north and north-east, and kept the parapet one continual spurt of dust as they smacked into it. All we could do was to fire by sound at various likely bushes on the river-bank, and this we did with the greatest possible diligence, but no visible result. In about a quarter of an hour we had had five men shot through the head, the most exposed part. The mere raising of a head to fire seemed to be absolutely fatal, as it had on a former occasion when we were attempting to fire at close range over a parapet against the enemy © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,concealed. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.I © 2011 Tantorsaw Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011two Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.poor © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.fellows © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. trying© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorto Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorbuild Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,up Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.a © 2011 Tantor Media,pitiful Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011little Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011kind Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor of house of cards with stones and pieces of anthill through which to fire. This was as conspicuous as a chimney-pot on top of the parapet, and was at once shot to powder before they had even used it, but not before it had suggested to me the remedy for this state of affairs. Of course, we wanted in such a case “head cover” and “loopholes.” As usual, I was wise after the event, for we had no chance of making them then, even

23 had we not been otherwise harassed. Suddenly the noise of firing became much more intense, but with the smack of the bullets striking the earth all round quite close it was not easy to tell from which direction this fresh firing came. At the same time the men seemed to be dropping much oftener, and I was impressing them with the necessity of keeping up a brisker fire to the front, when I noticed a bullet hit our side of the parapet. It then became clear, the enemy must evidently have got into the donga behind us (to which I paid no attention, as it was to the rear), and were shooting us in the back as we stood up to our parapet. This, I thought, must be what is called being “taken in reverse,” and it was. By the time I had gathered what was happening, about a dozen more men had been bowled over. I then ordered the whole lot to take cover in the trench, and only pop up to take a shot to the front or rear. But no more could be done by us towards the rear than to the front. The conditions were the same—no Boers to be seen. At this moment two of the guard from Waschout Hill started to run in to our trench, and a terrific fusillade was opened on to them, the bullets kicking up the dust all round them as they ran. One poor fellow was dropped, but the other managed to reach our trench and fall into it. He too was badly hit, but just had the strength to gasp out that except himself and the man who had started with him, all the guard on Waschout Hill had been killed or wounded, and that the Boers were gradually working their way up to the top. This was indeed cheering. So hot was the fire now that no one could raise his head above ground without being shot, and by crouching down altogether and not attempting to aim, but merely firing our rifles over the edge of the trench, we remained for a short time without casualties. This respite, however, was short, for the men in the right half of the trench began to drop © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,unac Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorcountably Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,whilst Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthey Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,were Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © sitting2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. well© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011under Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.cover, © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,not Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor exposing themselves at all. I gradually discovered the cause of this. Some snipers must have reached the top of Waschout Hill, and were shooting straight down our right half trench. As the bullets snicked in thicker and thicker, it was plain the number of snipers was being increased. This, I thought, must be being “enfiladed from a flank.” It was so.

24 Without any order, we had all instinctively vacated the right half of our trench and crowded into the left half, which by great good luck could not be enfiladed from any point on the south side of the river, nor indeed by rifle-fire from anywhere, as, owing to the ground, its prolongation on the right was up above ground into the open air, and to the left did not touch ground for some 3,000 yards away on the veldt on the north bank. Though we were huddled together quite helpless like rats in a trap, still it was in a small degree comforting to think that, short of charging the enemy could do nothing. For that we fixed bayonets and grimly waited. If they did make an assault, we had bayonets, and they had not, and we could sell our lives very dearly in a rough-and-tumble. Alas! I was again deceived. There was to be no chance of close quarters and cold steel, for suddenly we heard, far away out on the veldt to the north, a sound as of some one beating a tin tray, and a covey of little shells whistled into the ground close by the trench; two of these burst on touching the ground. Right out of rifle-range, away on the open veldt on the north, I saw a party of Boers, with a white horse and a vehicle. Then I knew. But how had they managed to hit off so well the right spot to go to to enfilade our trench before they even knew where we were? Pom-pom, pom-pom-pom again, and the little steel devils ploughed their way into the middle of us in our shell-trap, mangling seven men. I at once diagnosed the position with great professional acumen—we were now enfiladed from both flanks, but the knowledge was acquired too late to help us, for—

“We lay bare as the paunch of the purser’s sow, To the hail of the Nordenfeldt.”

© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,This Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,was Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©last 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,straw; Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthere Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,was Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantornothing Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,left Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011but Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,surrender Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,or Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,entire Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor annihilation at long range. I surrendered. Boers, as usual, sprang up from all round. We had fought for three hours, and had twenty-five killed and seventeen wounded. Of these, seven only had been hit by the shrapnel and rifle-fire from the front. All the rest had been killed or hit from the flanks, where there should be few enemies, or the rear, where there should be none! This fact convinced

25 me that my preconceived notions as to the front, and its danger relative to the other points of the compass, needed considerable modification. All my cherished ideas were being ruthlessly swept away, and I was plunged into a sea of doubt, groping for something certain or fixed to lay hold of. Could Longfellow, when he wrote that immortal line, “Things are not what they seem,” ever have been in my position? The survivors were naturally a little disheartened at their total discomfiture, when all had started so well with them in their “crack.” This expressed itself in different ways. As one man said to a corporal, who was plugging a hole in his ear with a bit of rag— “Somethink sickening, I call it, this enfilading racket; you never know which way it will take yer. I’m fairly fed up.” To which the gloomy reply, “Enfiladed? Of course we’ve been enfiladed. This ’ere trench should have been wiggled about a bit, and then there would not have been quite so much of it. Yes, wiggled about—that’s what it should have been.” To which chipped in a third, “Yes, and somethink to keep the blighters from shooting us in the back wouldn’t ’ave done us much ’arm, anyway.” There were evidently more things in earth than I had hitherto dreamt of in my philosophy!

***

As we trekked away to the north under a detached guard of Boers, many little points such as the above sank into my soul, but I could not for some time solve the mystery of why we had not succeeded in surprising the enemy. There were no men, women, children, or Kaffirs who knew of our arrival, who could have warned them. How did they spot our presence so soon, as they evidently must have done when they stopped © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011consulted Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©in 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. the© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantormorning? Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011It Tantor Media, Inc.was © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,not Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011until Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©passing 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©Incidentamba, 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,as Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor casually happened to look round and survey the scene of the fight from the enemy’s point of view, that I discovered the simple answer to the riddle. There on the smooth yellow slope of the veldt just south of the drift was a brownish-red streak, as plain as the Long Man of Wilmington on the dear old Sussex downs, which positively shrieked aloud, “Hi! hi! hi!—this way for the British defence.” I then grimly smiled to think of

26 myself sitting like a “slick Alick” in that poster of a trench and expecting to surprise anybody! Besides having been enfiladed and also taken in reverse, we had again found ourselves at a disadvantage as compared with the concealed enemy shooting at close range, from having to show up at a fixed place in order to fire. Eventually I collected the following lessons: 11. For a small isolated post and an active enemy, there are no flanks, no rear, or, to put it otherwise, it is front all round. 12. Beware of being taken in reverse; take care, when placing and making your defences, that when you are engaged in shooting the enemy to the front of your trench, his pal cannot sneak up and shoot you in the back. 13. Beware of being enfiladed. It is nasty from one flank—far worse from both flanks. Remember, also, that though you may arrange matters so that you cannot be enfiladed by rifle-fire, yet you may be open to it from long range, by means of gun or pompom fire. There are few straight trenches that cannot be enfiladed from somewhere, if the enemy can only get there. You can sometimes prevent being enfiladed by so placing your trench that no one can get into prolongation of it to fire down it, or you can “wiggle” it about in many ways, so that it is not straight, or make “traverses” across it, or dig separate trenches for every two or three men. 14. Do not have your trench near rising ground over which you cannot see, and which you cannot hold. 15. Do not huddle all your men together in a small trench like sheep in a pen. Give them air. 16. As once before—cover from sight is often worth more than cover from bullets. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011For Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.close © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011shooting Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,from Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. a© 2011 Tantor Media,non Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011- Tantorconcealed Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,trench, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,head Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,cover Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011with Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor loopholes is an advantage. This should be bullet-proof and not be conspicuously on the top of the parapet, so as to draw fire, or it will be far more dangerous than having none. 17. To surprise the enemy is a great advantage.

27 18. If you wish to obtain this advantage, conceal your position. Though for promotion it may be sound to advertise your position, for defence it is not. 19. To test the concealment or otherwise of your position, look at it from the enemy’s point of view.

Fifth Dream

“A trifling sum of misery New added to the foot of thy account.”—Dryden.

“Jack Frost looked forth one still clear night, And he said, ‘Now I shall be out of sight; So over the valley and over the height In silence I’ll take my way.’”—Gould.

AGAIN I faced the same task with a fresh mind and fresh hopes, all that remained with me of my former attempts being nineteen lessons. Having detailed the two patrols and the guard on Waschout Hill as already described, I spent some twenty minutes—whilst the stores, etc., were being arranged—in walking about to choose a position to hold in the light of my nineteen lessons. I came to the conclusion that it was not any good being near the top of a hill and yet not at the top. I would make my post on the top of Waschout Hill, where I could not be overlooked from any place within rifle-range, and where I should, I believed, have “command.” I was not quite certain what “command” meant, but I knew it was important—it says so in the book; besides, in all the manœuvres I had attended and tactical schemes I had seen, the “defence” always held a position on top © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,of Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,a Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,hill Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011or Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorridge. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,My Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorduty Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwas Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011plain: Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Waschout Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, HillInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,seemed Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011only Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor place which did not contravene any of the nineteen lessons I had learnt, and up it I walked. As I stood near one of the huts, I got an excellent view of the drift and its southern approach just over the bulge of the hill, and a clear view of the river further east and west. I thought at first I would demolish the few grass and matting huts which, with some empty kerosene tins and heaps of bones and débris, formed the Kaffir kraal, but

28 on consideration I decided to play cunning, and that this same innocent- looking Kaffir kraal would materially assist me to hide my defences. I made out my plan of operations in detail, and we had soon conveyed all our stores up to the top of the hill, and started work. Upon the return of the patrols with their prisoners, the Dutchmen and “boys” were told off to dig for themselves and their females. The Kaffirs of the kraal we had impressed to assist at once. My arrangements were as follows: All round the huts on the hill-top, and close to them we dug some ten short lengths of deep firing-trench, curved in plan, and each long enough to hold five men. These trenches had extremely low parapets, really only serving as rifle-rests, some of the excavated earth being heaped up behind the trenches to the height of a foot or so, the remainder being dealt with as described later. In most cases the parapets were provided with grooves to fire through at ground- level, the parapet on each side being high enough to just protect the head. As with the background the men’s heads were not really visible, it was unnecessary to provide proper loopholes, which would have necessitated also the use of new sandbags, which would be rather conspicuous and troublesome to conceal. When the men using these trenches were firing, their heads would be just above the level of the ground. These firing- trenches having been got well under way, the communication trenches were started. These were to be narrow and deep, leading from one trench to the next, and also leading from each trench back to four of the huts, which were to be arranged as follows, to allow of men to fire standing up without being seen. Round the inside of the walls of these huts part of the excavated earth, of which there was ample, would be built up with sand bags, piece of anthill, stones, etc., to a height that a man can fire over, about four and a half feet, and to a thickness of some two and a half feet at the top, and loopholes, which would be quite invisible, cut through the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,hut Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © sides2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011above Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,this Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011parapet. Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorThere Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,was Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorroom Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,in Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,each Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor hutMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.for © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011three Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantormen Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor fire. In three of them I meant to place my best shots, to act as snipers, as they would have a more favorable position than the men in the trenches below, and the fourth was a conning tower for myself. All the tents and stores were stacked inside one of the huts out of sight. That evening, in spite of the hardness of the work, which caused much grousing among my men, we had got the firing trenches complete,

29 but the others were not finished—they were only half the necessary depth. The earth-walls inside the huts were also not quite completed. The Kaffirs and Dutch had deep pits, as before, in three of the huts. Ammunition and rations were distributed round the trenches the last thing before we turned in. I also had all water-bottles and every vessel that would hold water, such as empty tins, Kaffir gourds, and cooking- pots, filled and distributed in case of a long and protracted fight. Having issued orders as to the necessity for the greatest secrecy in not giving away our position should Boers turn up early next morning, I went to sleep with confidence. We had, anyhow, a very good position, and though our communications were not quite perfect, these we could soon improve if we had any time to ourselves the next morning. Next morning broke; no enemy in sight. This was excellent, and before daylight we were hard at it, finishing the work still undone. By this time the men had fully entered into the spirit of the thing, and were quite keen on surprising Brother Boer if possible. While the digging was proceeding, the “dixies” were being boiled for the breakfasts inside four grass-screens, some of which we found lying about, so as to show nothing but some very natural smoke above the kraal. I picked out one or two of my smartest N.C.O.’s, and instructed them to walk down the hill in different directions to the river-bank and try if they could see the heads of the men in the firing trenches against the sky. If so, the heaps of earth, tins, bones, grass-screens, et cetera, should be re-arranged so as to give a background to every man’s head. To review the place generally, I and my orderly walked off some half-mile to the north of the river. As we were going some distance, we doffed our helmets and wrapped ourselves in two beautiful orange and magenta striped blankets, borrowed from our Kaffir lady guests, in case any stray Boer should be lurking around, as he might be interested to see © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,two Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor“khakis” Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©wandering 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorabout Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,on Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © the2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,veldt. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©It 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. was© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,awkward Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,trying Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor walk with our rifles hidden under our blankets, and, moreover, every two minutes we had to look around to see if the sentry at the camp had signalled any enemy in sight. This was to be done by raising a pole on the highest hut. The result of our work was splendid. We saw a Kaffir kraal on a hill, and to us “it was nothing more.” There were the heaps of débris usually round a kraal, looking most natural, but no heads were

30 visible, and no trenches. There was only one fault, and that was that a few thoughtless men began, as we looked, to spread their brown army blankets out in the sun on top of the huts and on the veldt. To the veriest new chum these square blots, like squares of brown sticking-plaster all around the kraal, would have betokened something unusual. To remedy this before it was too late I hastened back. After we had done our breakfasts, and some three hours after dawn, the sentry in one of the huts reported a force to the north. We could do nothing but wait and hope; everything was ready, and every man knew what to do. No head was to be raised nor a rifle to be fired until I whistled from my conning-tower; then every man would pop up and empty his magazine into any of the enemy in range. If we were shelled the men in the huts could at once drop into the deep trenches and be safe. Standing in my “conning-tower,” from the loopholes of which I could see the drift, I thought over the possibilities before us. With great luck perhaps the Boer scouts would pass us on either side, and so allow us to lie low for the main body. With a view to seeing exactly how far I would let the latter come before opening fire, and to marking the exact spot when it would be best to give the word, I got down into the firing- trenches facing the drift and the road south to see how matters appeared from the level of the rifles. To my intense horror, I found that from these trenches neither the drift nor the road on the near bank of the river, until it got a long way south of Waschout Hill, could be seen! The bulging convexity of the hill hid all this; it must be dead ground! It was. The very spot where I could best catch the enemy, where they must pass, was not under my fire! At most, the northern loopholes of the conning tower and one other hut alone could give fire on the drift. How I cursed my stupidity! However, it was no good. I could not now start digging fresh trenches further down the hill; it would betray our whole position at © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,once. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.I © 2011 Tantordetermined Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.to © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.make © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011the Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,best Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorit, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor andMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011if Tantor Media, Inc. we© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwere Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantornot Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.discovered © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor by the scouts, to open fire on the main body when they were just on the other side of the river bunched up on the bank, waiting for those in front. Here we could fire on them; but it would be at a much longer range than I had intended. It was really a stroke of luck that I had discovered this serious fault, for otherwise we might have let the bulk of the enemy cross the drift without discovering the little fact of the dead ground till too late.

31 I reflected, also (though it was not much consolation), that I had erred in good company, for how often had I not seen a “brass-hat” ride along on horseback, and from that height fix the exact position for trenches in which the rifles would be little above the ground. These trenches, however, had not been put to the test of actual use. My error was not going to escape in the same way. Meanwhile the enemy’s scouts had advanced in much the same way as detailed before, except that after coming past Incidentamba Farm they had not halted suspiciously, but came on in small groups or clumps. They crossed the river in several places and examined the bushy banks most carefully, but finding no “khakis” there, they evidently suspected none on the open veldt beyond them, for they advanced “any way” without care. Several of the clumps joined together, and came on chatting in one body of some thirty men. Would they examine the kraal, or would they pass on? My heart beat. The little hill we were on would, unluckily, be certain to prove an attraction for them, because it was an excellent vantage ground whence to scan the horizon to the south, and to signal back to the main body to the north. The kraal was also a suitable place to off-saddle for a few minutes while the main body came up to the drift, and it meant possibly a fire, and therefore a cup of coffee. They rode up towards it laughing, chatting, and smoking, quite unsuspecting. We uttered no sound. Our Dutch and Kaffir guests uttered no sound either, for in their pits was a man with a rifle alongside them. At last they halted a moment some 250 yards away on the northeast, where the slope of the hill was more gradual and showed them all up. A few dismounted, the rest started again straight towards us. It was not magnificent, but it was war. I whistled.

*** © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor About ten of them succeeded in galloping off, also some loose horses; five or six of them on the ground threw up their hands and came into the post. On the ground there remained a mass of kicking horses and dead or groaning men. The other parties of scouts to east and west had at once galloped back to the river, where they dismounted under cover and began to pepper us. Anyway, we had done something.

32 As soon as our immediate enemy were disposed of, we opened fire on the main body some 1,500 yards away, who had at once halted and opened out. To these we did a good deal of damage, causing great confusion, which was comforting to watch. The Boer in command of the main body must have gathered that the river-bed was clear, for he made a very bold move; he drove the whole of the wagons, et cetera, straight on as fast as possible over the odd 400 yards to the river and down the drift into the river-bed, where they were safe from our fire. Their losses must have been heavy over this short distance, for they had to abandon two of their wagons on the way to the river. This was done under cover of the fire from a large number of riflemen, who had at once galloped up to the river-bank, dismounted, and opened fire at us, and also of two guns and a pompom, which had immediately been driven a short distance back and then outwards to the east and west. It was really the best thing he could have done, and if he had only known that we could not fire on the ground to the south of the drift, he might have come straight on with a rush. We had so far scored; but now ensued a period of stalemate. We were being fired at from the river-bank on the north, and from anthills, etc., pretty well all round, and were also under the intermittent shell-fire from the two guns. They made most excellent practice at the huts, which were soon knocked to bits, but not till they had well served their turn. Some of the new white sandbags from inside the huts were scattered out in full view of the enemy, and it was instructive to see what a splendid target they made for rifle-fire, and how often they were hit. They must have drawn a lot of fire away from the actual trenches. Until the Boers discovered that they could advance south from the drift without being under rifle-fire from our position, they were held up. Would they discover it? As they had ridden all round us by now, well out of range, they must know all about us and our isolation. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011After Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantordark, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor byMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,which Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 timeTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011we Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorhad Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011one Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,man Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,killed Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. and© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,two Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011wounded, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor the firing died away into a continuous but desultory rifle-fire, with an occasional dropping shell from the guns. Under cover of dark, I tried to guard the drift and dead ground to the south of it, by men standing up and firing at that level, but towards midnight I was forced to withdraw them into the trenches, after several casualties, as the enemy then apparently woke up and kept up a furious rifle-fire upon us for over an

33 hour. During this time the guns went through some mysterious evolutions. At first we got it very hot from the north, where the guns had been all along. Then suddenly a gun was opened on us away from the southwest, and we were shelled for a short time from both sides. After a little the shelling on the north ceased, and continued from the southwest only for twenty minutes. After this the guns ceased, and the rifle-fire also gradually died away. When day dawned not a living soul was to be seen; there were the dead men, horses, and the deserted wagons. I feared a trap, but gradually came to the conclusion the Boers had retired. After a little we discovered the river-bed was deserted as well, but the Boers had not retired. They had discovered the dead ground, and under the mutually supporting fire of their guns, which had kept us to our trenches, had all crossed the drift and trekked south. True, we were not captured, and had very few losses, and had severely mauled the enemy, but they had crossed the drift. It must have evidently been of great importance to them to go on, or they would have attempted to capture us, as they were about 500 to our 50. I had failed in my duty. During the next few hours we buried the dead, tended the wounded, and took some well-earned rest, and I had ample leisure to consider my failure and the causes. The lessons I derived from the fight were: 20. Beware of convex hills and dead ground. Especially take care to have some place where the enemy must come under your fire. Choose the exact position of your firing-trenches, with your eye at the level of the men who will eventually use them. 21. A hill may not, after all, though it has “command,” be the best place to hold necessarily. 22. A conspicuous “bluff” trench may cause the enemy to waste © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,much Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.ammunition, © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.and © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantordraw Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorfire Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©away 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011from Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011the Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,actual Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©defences. 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor In addition to these lessons, another little matter on my mind was what my colonel would say at my failure. Lying on my back, looking up at the sky, I was trying to get a few winks of sleep myself before we started to improve our defences against a possible further attack, but it was no use, sleep evaded me.

34 The clear blue vault of heaven was suddenly overcast by clouds, which gradually assumed the frowning face of my colonel. “What? You mean to say, Mr. Forethought, the Boers have crossed?” But, luckily for me, before more could be said, the face began slowly to fade away like that of the Cheshire Puss in “Alice in Wonderland,” leaving nothing but the awful frown across the sky. This too finally dissolved, and the whole scene changed. I had another dream.

Sixth Dream

“Sweet are the uses of adversity.”

ONCE more was I fated to essay the task of defending Duffer’s Drift. This time I had twenty-two lessons below my belt to help me out, and in the oblivion of my dream I was saved that sense of monotony which by now may possibly have overtaken you, “gentle reader.” After sending out the patrols, and placing a guard on Waschout Hill, as already described, and whilst the stores were being collected, I considered deeply what position I should take up, and walked up to the top of Waschout Hill to spy out the land. On the top I found a Kaffir kraal, which I saw would assist me much to concealment should I decide to hold this hill. This I was very inclined to do, but after a few minutes’ trial of the shape of the ground, with the help of some men walking about down below, and my eyes a little above ground-level—I found that its convexity was such that, to see and fire on the drift and the approach on the south side, I should have to abandon the top of the hill, and so the friendly concealment of the Kaffir huts, and take up a position on the open hillside some way down. This was, of course, quite feasible, especially if I held a position at the top of the hill as well, near the huts © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,on Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoreast Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011and Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,southeast Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorsides; Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.but, © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,as Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,it Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,would Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011be Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorimpossible Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,to Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,really Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor conceal ourselves on the bare hillside, it meant giving up all idea of surprising the enemy, which I wished to do. I must, therefore, find some other place which would lend itself to easy and good concealment, and also have the drift or its approaches under close rifle-fire. But where to find such a place?

35 As I stood deep in thought, considering this knotty problem, an idea gently wormed itself into my mind, which I at once threw out again as being absurd and out of the question. This idea was—to hold the river bed and banks on each side of the drift! To give up all idea of command, and, instead of seeking the nearest high ground, which comes as natural to the student of tactics as rushing for a tree does to a squirrel, to take the lowest ground, even though it should be all among thick cover, instead of being nicely in the open. No, it was absolutely revolutionary, and against every canon I had ever read or heard of; it was evidently the freak of a sorely tried and worried brain. I would none of it, and I put it firmly from me. But the more I argued to myself the absurdity of it, the more this idea obtained possession of me. The more I said it was impossible, the more allure- ments were spread before me in its favor, until each of my conscientious objections was enmeshed and smothered in a network of specious reasons as to the advantages of the proposal. I resisted, I struggled, but finally fell to temptation, dressed up in the plausible guise of reason. I would hold the river-bed. The advantages I thus hoped to obtain were— Perfect concealment and cover from sight. Trenches and protection against both rifle and gun fire practically ready made. Communications under good cover. The enemy would be out in the open veldt except along the river- bank, where we, being in position first, would still have the advantage. Plentiful water-supply at hand. True, there were a few dead animals near the drift, and the tainted air seemed to hang heavy over the river-bed, but the carcasses could be quickly buried under the steep banks, and, after all, one could not expect © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,every Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.luxury. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor As our clear field of fire, which in the north was only bounded by the range of our rifles, was on the south limited by Waschout Hill, a suitable position for the enemy to occupy, I decided to hold the top of it as well as the river-bed. All I could spare for this would be two NCO’s and eight men, who would be able to defend the south side of the hill, the north being under our fire from the river-bank.

36 Having detailed this party, I gave my instructions for the work, which was soon started. In about a couple of hours the patrols returned with their prisoners, which were dealt with as before. For the post on Waschout Hill, the scheme was that the trenches should be concealed much in the same way as described in the last dream, but great care should be taken that no one in the post should be exposed to rifle-fire from our main position in the river. I did not wish the fire of the main body to be in any degree hampered by a fear of hitting the men on Waschout Hill, especially at night. If we knew it was not possible to hit them, we could shoot freely all over the hill. This detachment was to have a double lot of water-bottles, besides every available receptacle collected in the kraal, filled with water, in anticipation of a prolonged struggle. The general idea for the main defensive position was to hold both sides of the river, improving the existing steep banks and ravines into rifle-pits to contain from one to four men. These could, with very little work, be made to give cover from all sides. As such a large amount of the work was already done for us, we were enabled to dig many more of these pits than the exact number required for our party. Pathways leading between these were to be cut into the bank, so that we should be able to shift about from one position to another. Besides the advantage this would give us in the way of moving about, according as we wished to fire, it also meant that we should probably be able to mislead the enemy as to our numbers—which, by such shifting tactics might, for a time at least, be much exaggerated. The pits for fire to the north and south were nearly all so placed as to allow the occupants to fire at ground-level over the veldt. They were placed well among the bushes, only just sufficient scrub being cut away to allow a man to see all round, without exposing the position of his trench. On each side of the river, just by the drift, were © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,some Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.“spoil” © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,heaps Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011of Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011earth, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,excavated Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,from Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©road 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ramp.© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorThese Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.stood © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor some five or six feet above the general level, and were as rough as the banks in outline. These heaps were large enough to allow of a few pits being made on them, which had the extra advantage of height. In some of the pits, to give head-cover, loopholes of sandbags were made, though in most cases this was not needed, owing to the concealment of the bushes. I found it was necessary to examine personally every loophole, and

37 correct the numerous mistakes made in their construction. Some had the new clean sandbags exposed to full view, thus serving as mere whited sepulchres to their occupants, others were equally conspicuous from their absurd cock-shy appearance, others were not bullet-proof, whilst others again would allow of shooting in one direction, or into the ground at a few yards’ range, or up into the blue sky. As I corrected all these faults I thought that loopholes not made under supervision might prove rather a snare. The result was, in the way of concealment, splendid. From these pits with our heads at ground-level we could see quite clearly out on to the veldt beyond, either from under the thicker part of the bushes or even through those which were close to our eyes. From the open, on the other hand, we were quite invisible, even from 300 yards’ distance, and would have been more so had we had the whiskers of the “brethren.” It was quite evident to me that these same whiskers were a wise provision of nature for this very purpose and part of her universal scheme of protective mimicry. The numerous small dongas and rifts lent themselves readily to flanking fire, and in many places the vertical banks required no cutting in order to give ideal protection against even artillery. In others, the sides of the crooked waterways had to be merely scooped out a little, or a shelf cut to stand upon. In one of these deeper ravines two tents, which, being below ground- level, were quite invisible, were pitched for the women and children, and small caves cut for them in case of a bombardment. The position extended for a length of some 150 yards on each side of the drift along both banks of the river, and at its extremities, where an attack was most to be feared, pits were dug down the river-banks and across the dry river- bed. These also were concealed as well as possible. The flanks or ends © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,were, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011of Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorcourse, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorour Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011greatest Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantordanger, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,for Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011it Tantor Media, Inc. © was2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.from © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011here Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011we Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,might Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor expect to be rushed, and not from the open veldt. I was undecided for some time as to whether to clear a “field of fire” along the river-banks or not, as I had no wish to give away our presence by any suspicious nudity of the banks at each end of our position. I finally decided, in order to prevent this, to clear the scrub for as great a range as possible from the ends of the position, everywhere below the ground-level, and also on the

38 level ground, except for a good fringe just on the edges of the banks. This fringe I thought would be sufficient to hide the clearance to any one not very close. I now blessed the man who had left us some cutting tools. Whilst all this was being carried out, I paced out some ranges to the north and south, and these we marked by a few empty tins placed on ant- heaps, etc. At dusk, when we had nearly all the pits finished and some of the clearance done, tents and gear were hidden, ammunition and rations distributed to all, and orders in case of an attack given out. As I could not be everywhere, I had to rely on the outlying groups of men fully understanding my aims beforehand, and acting on their “own.” To prevent our chance of a close-range volley into the enemy being spoilt by some over-zealous or jumpy man opening fire at long range, I gave orders that fire was to be held as long as possible, and that no man was to fire a shot until firing had already commenced elsewhere (which sounded rather Irish), or my whistle sounded. This was unless the enemy were so close to him that further silence was useless. Firing having once started, every man was to blaze away at any enemy within range as judged by our range marks. Finally, we turned in to our pits for the night with some complacency, each eight men furnishing their own sentry. We had about three hours next morning before any enemy were reported from Waschout Hill (the pre-arranged signal for this was the raising of a pole from one of the huts). This time was employed in perfecting our defences in various ways. We managed to clear away the scrub in the dry river-bed and banks for some 200 yards beyond our line of pits on each side, and actually attained to the refinement of an “obstacle;” for at the extremity of this clearance a sort of abatis entanglement was made with the wire from an adjacent fence which the men had discovered. During the morning I visited the post on Waschout © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Hil Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.l, © 2011 Tantor Media,found Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011everything Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorcorrect, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorand Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011took Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011the Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,opportunity Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011of Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorshowing Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor detachment the exact limits of our position in the river-bed, and explained what we were going to do. After about three hours’ work, “Somebody in sight” was signalled, and we soon after saw from our position a cloud of dust away to the north. This force, which proved to be a commando, approached as already described in the last dream; all we could do meanwhile was to sit tight in concealment. Their scouts came

39 on in clumps of twos and threes which extended over some mile of front, the centre of the line heading for the drift. As the scouts got closer, the natural impulse to make for the easiest crossing place was obeyed by two or three of the parties on each side of the one approaching the drift, and they inclined inwards and joined forces with it. This was evidently the largest party we could hope to surprise, and we accordingly lay for it. When about 300 yards away, the “brethren” stopped rather suspiciously. This was too much for some man on the east side, who let fly, and the air was rent by the rattle as we emptied our magazines, killing five of this special scouting party and two from other groups further out on either side. We continued to fire at the scouts as they galloped back, dropping two more, and also at the column which was about a mile away, but afforded a splendid target till it opened out. In a very few moments our position was being shelled by three guns, but with the only result, as far as we were concerned, of having one man wounded by shell-fire, though the firing went on slowly till dark. To be accurate, I should say the river was being shelled, our position incidentally, for shells were bursting along the river for some half mile. The Boers were evidently quite at sea as regards the extent of our position and strength, and wasted many shells. We noticed much galloping of men away to the east and west, out of range, and guessed that these were parties who intended to strike the river at some distance away, and gradually work along the bed, in order probably to get into close range during the night. We exchanged a few shots during the night along the river bed, and not much was done on either side, though of course we were on the qui vive all the time; but it was not till near one in the morning that Waschout Hill had an inning. As I had hoped, the fact that we held the kraal had not been spotted © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,by Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011enemy, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011and Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,a Inc. © 2011 Tantorlarge Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorbody Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthem, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,crawling Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 upTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,south Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©side 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,of Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor hill in order to get a good fire on to us in the river, struck a snag in the shape of a close-range volley from our detachment. As the night was not very dark, in the panic following the first volley our men were able (as I learnt afterwards) to stand right up and shoot at the surprised burghers bolting down the hill. However, their panic did not last long, to judge by the sound, for after the first volley from our Lee-Metfords and the

40 subsequent minute’s independent firing, the reports of our rifles were soon mingled with the softer reports of the Mausers, and we shortly observed flashes on our side of Waschout Hill. As these could not be our men, we knew the enemy were endeavoring to surround the detachment. We knew the ranges fairly well, and though, as we could not see our sights, the shooting was rather guesswork, we soon put a stop to this manœuvre by firing a small volley from three or four rifles at each flash on the hill-side. So the night passed without much incident. During the dark we had taken the opportunity cunningly to place some new white sandbags (which I had found among the stores) in full view at some little distance from our actual trenches and pits. Some men had even gone further, and added a helmet here and a coat there peeping over the top. This ruse had been postponed until our position was discovered, so as not to betray our presence, but after the fighting had begun no harm was done by it. Next morning it was quite a pleasure to see the very accurate shooting made by “Brother” at these sandbags, as betokened by the little spurts of dust. During this day the veldt to the north and south was deserted by the enemy except at out-of-range distance, but a continuous sniping fire was kept up along the river-banks on each side. The Boer guns were shifted— one to the top of Incidentamba and one to the east and west in order to enfilade the river bank—but, owing to our good cover, we escaped with two killed and three wounded. The enemy did not shell quite such a length of river this time. I confidently expected an attack along the river bank that night, and slightly strengthened my flanks, even at the risk of dangerously denuding the north bank. I was not disappointed. Under cover of the dark, the enemy came up to within, perhaps, 600 yards on the open veldt on the north and round the edges of Waschout Hill, on the south, and kept up a furious fire, probably to distract our © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,attention, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwhilst Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © the2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,guns Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,shelled Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,us Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, forInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011about Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,an Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.hour. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011As Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor soonMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,as Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor gun-fire ceased they tried to rush us along the river-bed east and west, but owing to the abatis and the holes in the ground, and the fact that it was not a very dark night, they were unsuccessful. However, it was touch and go, and a few of the Boers did succeed in getting into our position only to be bayoneted. Luckily the enemy did not know our strength, or

41 rather our weakness, or they would have persisted in their attempt and succeeded; as it was, they must have lost 20 or 30 men killed and wounded. Next morning, with so many men out of my original 40 out of action (not to include Waschout Hill, whose losses I did not know), matters seemed to be serious, and I was greatly afraid that another night would be the end of us. I was pleased to see that the detachment on Waschout Hill had still got its tail well up, for they had hoisted a red rag at the masthead. True, this was not the national flag, probably only a mere handkerchief, but it was not white. The day wore on with intermittent shelling and sniping, and we all felt that the enemy must have by now guessed our weakness, and were saving themselves for another night attack, relying upon our being tired out. We did our best to snatch a little sleep by turns during the day, and I did all I could to keep the spirits of the little force up by saying that relief could not be very far off. But it was with a gloomy desperation at best that we saw the day wear on and morning turn into afternoon. The Boer guns had not been firing for some two hours, and the silence was just beginning to get irritating and mysterious, when the booming of guns in the distance aroused us to the highest pitch of excitement. We were saved! We could not say what guns these were— they might be British or Boer—but, any way, it proved the neighborhood of another force. All faces lighted up, for somehow the welcome sound at once drew the tired feeling out of us. In order to prevent any chance of the fresh force missing our whereabouts, I collected a few men and at once started to fire some good old British volleys into the scrub, “Ready—present—fire,” which were not to be mistaken. Shortly afterwards we heard musketry in the distance, and saw a cloud of dust to the northeast. We were relieved!

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Our total losses were 11 killed and 15 wounded; but we had held the drift, and so enabled a victory to be won. I need not here touch upon the well-known and far-reaching results of the holding of Duffer’s Drift, of the prevention thereby of Boer guns, ammunition, and reinforcements reaching one of their sorely pressed forces at a critical moment, and the

42 ensuing victory gained by our side. It is now, of course, all public knowledge that this was the turning-point in the war, though we, the humble instruments, did not know what vital results hung upon our action. That evening the relieving force halted at the drift, and, after burying the dead, we spent some time examining the lairs of the Boer snipers, the men collecting bits of shell and cartridge-cases as mementoes—only to be thrown away at once. We found some 25 dead and partially buried Boers, to whom we gave burial. That night I did not trek, but lay down (in my own breeches and spotted waistcoat). As the smoke from the “prime segar,” presented to me by my Colonel, was eddying in spirals over my head, these gradually changed into clouds of rosy glory, and I heard brass bands in the distance playing a familiar air: “See the Conquering Hero comes,” it was they were playing. I felt a tap on my shoulder, and heard a gentle voice say, “Arise, Sir Backsight Forethought;” but in a trice my dream of bliss was shattered— the gentle voice changed into the well-known croak of my servant. “Time to pack your kit on the wagon, sir. Corfy’s been up some time now, sir.” I was still in stinking old Dreamdorp.

The Battle of Booby’s Bluffs

By Major Single List

45 Preface

THIS is a series of six solutions to the same problem, each solution starting with the lessons learned by the errors in the previous solution. The six solutions are designed to teach the application of the principles as developed in the World War, showing the best methods of using the combined arms. Naturally, it is impossible to include every principle in these six solutions, but it is thought that the most important are shown. The reader will at once see that the general plan of these six solutions is the same as in “The Defense of Duffer’s Drift,” a story of the troubles of a platoon commander in defending a stream crossing during the British-Boer War.

Prologue

THE Blues (east) and the Reds (west) were at war. This was nothing new. The Blues and the Reds are always at war. They have been at war since the beginning of wars. It is said that in the time of Augustus Caesar the Temple of Janus closed its doors because the Romans were no longer at war; but this cannot be applied to the Blues and Reds. They are still at war and, in my opinion, they will always be at war. The Reds seem to have remarkable recuperative powers, because although they are invariably defeated by General A, commander of the Blues and the most remarkable military genius of all time, yet we always find them ready to tackle General A again at the first opportunity. Sometimes they are assisted and sometimes opposed by the Browns, a neutral nation, but generally they are alone in their unsuccessful efforts to hamper General A. Truly, one cannot help admiring the morale of those poor Reds; always they are defeated, always they come forward again. Defeat never © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,lessens Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, theirInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©morale. 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorThey Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, hopeInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011that Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011they Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011will Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011win Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011out Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.next © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©time. 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Possibly, they have hopes that a stray bullet may kill General A, or possibly they are fighting with the courage of despair and want to end it all. At any rate, they are always ready for the next fight. However, this time it was real war, and I, Major Single List, was in actual command of the First Battalion of Colonel R’s Regiment, which had just relieved another regiment on the line and was now going into

46 battle for the first time. For years, I had heard of the campaigns of General A, and had hoped that if I ever was lucky enough or unlucky enough to go into battle I would have him as commander. And now it had happened. We, the Blues, had driven the Reds steadily westward until they were holding a line along the Monocacy River to somewhere near the mouth of Booby’s Creek, thence northward along the general line of Booby’s Creek. Their line was not clearly defined, but we knew that they were making a last stand to hold General A east of the passes of South Mountain, so that when their expected reinforcements materialized they could advance safely through these passes and deploy in the open country to the eastward. Naturally, General A had decided that this must be prevented. We were to make a final attack and drive the Reds back into South Mountain, capture and destroy as many of them as possible, and block the exits of the passes. By daybreak of this day, June 19, our Regiment had finished relieving the other Regiment, and my battalion was now in a fairly concealed position somewhat east of the road running north south about on coordinate 345. My battalion command post was established in the cellar of the farmhouse at 345.8-729.4. I visited my companies in position, found everything O.K., then returned to my command post and tried to sleep. I was not very successful. This was my first battle, and I was somewhat excited over the prospect. My troops were likewise somewhat excited, as shown by the fact that many useless inquiries were made of me; so many in fact that I was unable to sleep before noon. After noon I managed to sleep a little, but was wakened about 3 o’clock by an orderly from Colonel R with orders and maps, and with a message directing me to report to regimental headquarters at 6 o’clock for a conference of the regimental field and staff officers. Immediately I looked at the maps and orders received, and saw that © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,they Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,were Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, theInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorplans Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,for Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011an Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorattack Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©the 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,next Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,day. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorEvidently Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. were© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor report to Colonel R’s headquarters for a conference on the subject. A glance at the orders showed that Colonel R had decided to make the assault in column of battalions; and that mine was to be the leading battalion. We were to attack due west, the northern boundary being coordinate 730 and the southern boundary coordinate 729, making my

47 area a strip 1,000 yards wide and of such depth as I could force the Reds to give up. The attack was to commence at sunrise June 20 (4.30 o’clock). The orders and plans were plain enough, but I did not know just what to do about them. I gazed at the map and orders until my eyes were weary and the whole thing became a blur. I was very tired, the weather was hot, and I was very sleepy. So, to make a long story short, I went to sleep. In thus going to sleep I had three reasons: First, I was sleepy and needed the sleep; second, I was to report to Colonel R at 6 o’clock and he would explain the whole scheme of attack to us, and I wanted to be fresh and clear-headed when I was at his headquarters; third, I wanted to give my subconscious mind a chance to work out the solution to my real war problem. Many times I have found it best to let my body rest and my subconscious mind work. Others have told me that they also find that their subconscious minds can work out problems which they cannot work out in moments of real wakefulness. So I went to sleep and my subconscious mind evolved a series of solutions, each of which impressed me at the beginning as entirely satisfactory; events showed that, although I learned something by each solution, yet all of the solutions were not by any means such as would have been approved by General A. Each is given just as it was evolved by my subconscious mind. The reader will notice that each solution was begun with the utmost confidence in its ultimate effectiveness. That is one thing about my subconscious mind, it is always satisfied with what it has evolved until it comes to grief, then with remarkable alacrity it evolves something else. At any rate I slept, and my subconscious mind evolved many consecutive solutions.

First Solution

AT 6 o’clock I attended the conference of field and staff officers at © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Colonel Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.R’s © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorheadquarters. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,He Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©read 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.over © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 orderTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorto Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor us,Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.and © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorexplained Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorit Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor in full. I was a little impatient because it appeared as if Colonel R thought we could not read or at least could not understand a field order. Several times he asked me if I understood my part. I always replied in the affirmative. Once or twice he asked me if I was sure that I understood; but I would not allow him to get me into a controversy. I had long ago decided that I would avoid any arguments with him. He seemed of a

48 cruel nature and a jealous disposition. He did not understand how to handle the American soldier; and it appeared to me that he was jealous of me because I was so successful at it. I always tried to get close to the soldier and understand his methods of thought. Every one of my men knew I was ready to lend him a helping hand, and even money. This general care of my fellow-soldiers had often been a cause of dispute with Colonel R. Our colonel was a good soldier, but he had lost the milk of human kindness. On one occasion I had a great argument with him because I had not reported two boys who had indulged in a shooting scrape in one of the company streets. To me it was simply an over-bubbling of youthful spirits, but to Colonel R it was a crime. It is true that one of the boys had been shot in the arm and had been in the hospital for two weeks, but that was a mere trifle. On another occasion Colonel R had spoken to me in a very tactless manner because I had allowed three of the boys to leave camp and visit the city the night before a maneuver. They stayed out until 4 o’clock, and naturally were unable to go through the strenuous work of the next day. As I remember his words, he said: “Major List, you have no discipline in your battalion. I am not sure that I should not relieve you and send you to Bluey for reclassification. You think that you are thoughtful of your men, whereas if you persist in your course you will cause the loss of many lives in battle. It is a serious error to think that even the best men can be good soldiers without a rigid course of training. It is a mistaken kindness to mollycoddle soldiers. You will have men who are inefficient and who will be unable to attend to their duties in the stress of battle. You must understand that bravery is by no means the only quality demanded of an officer. I can find many officers who will lead troops in battle, but I can find few men who can see that they are © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,properly Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © fed2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor andMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011furnished Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.ammunition © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantortaught Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.to © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.shoot. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorThe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011days Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011of Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor spectacular charges and gallant deaths are past. Nowadays, you are shot by men you do not see; and the worst possible thing for a major to do is to step out in front of his troops and expose himself to an unnecessary death. You should be in front only when they are being misled. You should never go in front of them in order to show your personal bravery.

49 I do not doubt your personal bravery, but I seriously doubt your personal efficiency.” I did not say much in reply. He had just discovered that the score of my battalion on the target range was the poorest of the three battalions; and I could not deny it. But there were reasons for this poor showing. The noble citizens of the neighboring city had given a festival in honor of the troops soon to go overseas and this festival had come just on the day that my battalion shot for record. It had been necessary for us to hasten our target practice in the morning so that the boys could be free to go to the city in the afternoon and evening. I did not take the trouble to explain all of this to Colonel R. He would not have understood because he has no heart for his fellow-man. Also I felt sure that he was jealous of my undoubted popularity with the boys. I think that he feared that if the matter were put to a vote among them, I would be Colonel List and he would be Major R or Captain R or even Private R. However, I felt that the United States authorities should know what manner of man was commanding the regiment. So I wrote a letter to my personal friend, Senator Sorghum, and told him that I felt sure that the regiment had lost its heart through the heartless grinding of Colonel R, and that if it did not make a good showing against the Reds in the coming campaign he would know where to place the blame. There was no real insubordination in this letter and no one could criticize my motive. I felt that my duty to my country demanded that when the regiment failed in battle he should go to the Secretary of War and give him the reason for the failure. I was very careful to tell the Senator not to mention my name. In justice to myself I must add that I also told the Senator not to make any effort to secure promotion for me; that I expected to win my promotion on the field of battle; and that I felt sure that my record in © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,future Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011battles Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,would Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 bringTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorto Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorme Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,all Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorpromotion Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthat Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. I© 2011 Tantorcould Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, desire.Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Finally Colonel R finished the plans for the attack, after reading the field order several times, and we all went back to our posts. I returned to my battalion headquarters (the farmhouse cellar) and promptly went to sleep. I was tired and needed complete rest before the strenuous day of battle. I was soon sleeping as peacefully as Napoleon before Austerlitz.

50 At 3.30 o’clock my adjutant Lieutenant Swift waked me. He apologized for waking me, but said that he knew that the attack was to take place at 4.30 o’clock, and he supposed that I wished to go out and look over the ground before the attack commenced. He stated that he had been reading the orders and noticed that the barrage started at 4.30 o’clock from the north and south roads about 800 yards west of my cellar, and he had notified the company commanders that they could expect me to meet them at the farmhouse in the center of our sector (345.2-729.6) at 4 o’clock. He also stated that various officers of tanks, machine guns, signal troops, and light mortars had reported during the night; but that he had told them to go to sleep in the next room (where the farmer had kept his potatoes) and that I would wake them up at the proper time. I was much displeased at the action of Lieutenant Swift in making arrangements for me to meet the captains at 4 o’clock. I had not slept as much as usual and for the moment I was in a bad humor. Also this Lieutenant Swift was quite prone to usurp my powers as battalion commander. He was always taking it upon himself to give orders during my absence. I had told him time after time that I was commander of this battalion and that I would give all of the orders necessary. However, I was quite elated this morning at the prospect of a battle in which I would earn undying glory and have my name written on the pages of history alongside our most famous soldiers, so I did not talk very severely to Lieutenant Swift. I only told him that I must again remind him that I was the commander of this battalion, and that he would in future make no appointments for me and give no orders in my name. Incidentally, to soften my reprimand, I told him that he had done well to dispose of the various officers of tanks, machine guns, signal troops, et cetera, so smoothly, and that we would let them sleep, poor © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,fellows. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.Probably © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthey Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwere Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoras Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantortired Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoras Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, were.Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011I Tantor Media,never Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©had 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©heart 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor make a fellow being do more work than was absolutely necessary. Of course, the poor infantryman must get up early and take the Red position; but that was no reason why the officers of other services should not rest at every opportunity. After I had disposed of Lieutenant Swift with a half reprimand, I found it necessary to frown also upon the freshness my intelligence

51 officer, Lieutenant Bright. He told me that he had been studying the maps and that he had talked with the officers of the regiment we relieved. As a result, he believed that the Reds were all on the other side of Booby’s Creek, and were in force in the woods on the south side of the bend where Booby’s Creek turned to the east for 1,000 yards east of Hill 433. This was too much. I had forgiven Lieutenant Swift because he had disposed of the various officers of tanks, machine guns, signal troops, etc., but this suggestion of Lieutenant Bright was more than I could stand. It was not the first time that he had seemed to think that it was his duty to come forward and volunteer queer bits of information that he had gathered. At any rate, I did not waste time with him. I just told him that if I wanted to hear from him, I would call on him. Meanwhile he need not volunteer any information. Thus you call see that I went out on the field in a fairly bad humor for a man who was to participate in his first battle. However, I summoned a smile as soon as I reached the vicinity of my brave boys, for it would never do for them to see that I was out of humor. How often have I heard my father read of the cheery smiles that made J.E.B. Stuart and McClellan popular? Their soldiers were always glad to see them, and cheered them whenever they rode down the line. In this case I did not feel that I could justly expect a cheer. I was not mounted on a horse and the sun was not shining gloriously; in fact, the dawn was just beginning to break. However, I felt that it would not surprise me greatly if some of the boys should give a huzza when they saw their major coming to lead them on to battle and victory. There were no cheers on my approach, and I decided that the nearness of the enemy prevented any such greetings. However, my reception was quite cordial. The four captains crowded around me to receive their orders. I did not waste time, but gave them as briefly as © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,possible. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor“You Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,know Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011all Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.drill © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.regulations. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,We Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 haveTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorbeen Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorover Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor thisMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor many times on the drill field. B and C companies form the firing line, A and D companies form the support. Lieutenant Swift, you will form the battalion just east of this ridge in the center of out sector, facing west. They will be ready at 4.25 o’clock, as the attack starts exactly at 4.30.” The captains and adjutant saluted and each captain moved off to join his company.

52 For the next half hour I walked up and down the ridge, or just east of it, where the whole battalion could see me and be encouraged by my coolness in the face of danger. I felt that each one should know that I was there to go forward with him to victory or death. I walked along the front of the Companies and joked with many of my personal friends. I remember especially that one excellent sergeant of B Company hailed me with a glad shout of “Hello, Single! How do you feel in the face of the real thing?” and I replied with some cheerful remark to the effect that I was going home with my shield or upon it. I then remembered the young son of one of my best friends, a Mr. Hale, vice-president of the bank in my hometown before I entered the military game, so I hunted him up and talked with him. He was very glad to see me, and entrusted me with many loving messages to his friends, and I will also say to his fiancée. He said “Major, I know you will be with us in any danger, but I have a feeling that you will live through this battle, and I do not think that I shall do so. For the sake of your friend- ship for my father and for my family I want you to tell them all that I died with my face to the enemy and with their names on my lips.” I wrung his hand and promised to tell them that and much more in case any misfortune befell him. I had known him since he was a small boy, and I sincerely hoped that nothing would happen to him. We were still conversing when Lieutenant Swift came up to tell me that the battalion was ready to form. It was 4.22, so I wished young Frank Hale Godspeed and left him. As I was walking with Lieutenant Swift over to the center of the line I had occasion to feel thankful that I had been so careful in the training of my battalion. In the last Infantry Drill Regulations some young upstart had written a statement to the effect that, in extended order, the company is the largest unit to execute movements by prescribed commands. But © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,when Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © I2011 Tantor Media,became Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. battalion© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,commander Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorI Media, Inc. © 2011did Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,not Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorfeel Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011at Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011all Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor disposedMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor relinquish my direct command of my companies, so I had trained my companies to execute the movements of extended order by battalion, with the same commands as in the former drill regulations. Thus I was sure that the attack would come off in the best possible manner. My boys were trained to the minute, eager and willing to fall upon the Reds.

53 At 4.25 o’clock Lieutenant Swift called the battalion to attention, faced about and reported, “Sir, the battalion is formed.” I told him to take his post, and commanded, “Rest,” as I wished the companies to rest even to the last minute before going forward for the struggle which might last all day. I looked at my watch and marked the second hand as it slowly counted off the seconds until 4.30. The eyes of all my soldiers were on me, and I felt that no one could criticise me for lack of coolness and courage. I calmly stood there, making a few commonplace remarks to Lieutenants Swift and Bright, who seemed anxious to suggest something, nut they had learned that I was the commander of this battalion, so they kept quiet. At 4.29 I faced about, and everyone could see from my stern attitude that the time had arrived. I then watched the second hand, which was spelling time for us and eternity for thousands of Reds and for some of us. Just at 4.30 I lowered my left hand (which carried my wrist watch) and started to command, “Form for attack.” The most infernal racket burst forth. Shells by the thousand burst on the north and south road just west of me, and my command could not he heard more than ten feet. I was dumfounded. Such a racket had never been heard in any boiler- shop or iron-foundry that I had ever visited. I could not think what had happened. How had the enemy known that we were to attack at this moment? I began to suspect treachery; but I knew that there could be no treachery in my battalion. Possibly some Red spies had slipped over in the early dawn and had heard Lieutenant Swift’s statement that the attack began at 4.30. At any rate we were lucky in that the Reds did not have our range, and as long as we remained where we were there need be no casualties. I waited a few seconds, and was a little amused at the facial expressions of Lieutenants Swift and Bright. Being young men, they © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,naturally Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwere Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,a Inc. © 2011 Tantorlittle Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantormore Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,prone Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorto Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorsurprise Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,than Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011 Tantorwas. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011 Tantorsmiled Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor reassure them, and said, “It is all right, my boys; the enemy has not our range, and we seem to be perfectly safe. In fact it is evident that they are aiming less and less accurately; the shots seem to be falling shorter and farther from us.” Then Lieutenant Swift yelled in a most disrespectful manner: “The barrage! It’s our barrage, and it travels at the rate of 100 yards in four

54 minutes. Of course, it is missing us more and more. We must catch it. If we don’t take advantage of it our artillery will be of no assistance to us.” At once it came back to me. Colonel R had said in the conference of his field and staff officers that the barrage would start at 4.30 o’clock and move forward at once. Immediately I rose to the occasion. My voice could not be heard, so I opened my mouth several times and waved my hand. It made my heart bound to see how quickly the intelligent American soldier can adapt himself to circumstances. The majority of my men were volunteers and they understood at once what was wanted. Promptly B and C companies moved out in extended order, and A and D companies prepared to follow. At a double time B and C companies spread over the center of our sector, guiding center, one man per yard. This covered about 500 yards, leaving some 250 yards on either flank, which was to be covered by A and D companies as they advanced later at the prescribed distance of about 300 yards. I took my position about 150 yards behind the center of the front line. The whole battalion moved forward in perfect order, guiding center, the front line some sixty yards behind our barrage. My heart swelled with pride. Everything was working smoothly. It is true that some of the boys were falling, and my heart bled in sympathy but I gritted my teeth like a soldier, and marched proudly forward, calm and collected. When we reached the crest, some four minutes after our advance had started, I halted for a moment and gazed upon the scene with my field glasses. The morning sun showed a perfect picture. One hundred and fifty yards ahead of me were B and C companies in a magnificent line, marching straight to the front as if on parade. Some sixty yards in front of them was our barrage, still going forward at the rate of 100 yards in four minutes. Behind me, 150 yards, and off to the right and left flanks, © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,respectively, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,were Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorA Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorand Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011D Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011companies, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,now Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,in Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,platoon Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.columns. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor felt that my weary days of work in the training camp were producing their reward. With a smile I placed my field glasses in the case and hurried forward to regain my position back of the center, midway between the two lines. I heard Lieutenant Bright say to Lieutenant Swift, “Look at the shells bursting just this side of the creek. Either we have an extra wide barrage

55 or it is their protective barrage in front of their line. My best information says that their line is west of the creek. If that is their protective barrage they will switch it as soon as they locate us, and then we will have an awful time.” I saw nothing to justify Lieutenant Bright in this dismal prediction. I did not care to administer any further admonitions to him, so I calmly marched forward. After about twenty minutes the left of my front line arrived opposite the trees, already mentioned, on the south side of the bend in Booby’s Creek at 344.6-729.3, the barrage having passed this point. I saw a few men break from the left and start for the creek only some forty yards away, but a sharp command from a lieutenant or a sergeant called them back into line and they continued forward. Evidently some of the Reds were in that creek bottom, but the platoon commander knew that I would send up some men from the support to clear them out. It was his duty to march straight ahead just as I had taught them day after day on the parade ground. I quickly turned to the left and waved forward a platoon from D Company, pointing to the creek bend. Not a second did they hesitate. Bravely they started forward, but luck was against me. I heard a rat-tat-tat from the creek bottom, then a continuous roll of rat-tat-tats. The left of my front line just crumpled up and lay down. It vanished. The right, true to its training, immediately began to advance by rushes, straight to the front. Probably they had seen an enemy or something to their front. Steadily and surely they rose, rushed forward and fell, firing to the front. Each time fewer rose and rushed forward. Always some fell. But relief was at hand; the platoon from D Company was only some 100 yards away. I signaled “double time,” and they rushed forward and silenced the machine gun. For a few minutes I breathed freely. But not for long. Suddenly, 100 © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,yards Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.back © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©of 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011me, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,there Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.was © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,again Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. an© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011unearthly Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. racket,© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,shell Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantors Media, Inc. © 2011exploding Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor and iron splinters z-z-z-z-zing in all directions. Lieutenant Bright yelled “There it is! They have us located!” and truly it seemed so. One platoon of D Company simply disappeared. Half of another was blown into the air. Captain D, with rare presence of mind, commanded, “Scatter, boys, SCATTER!”1 and the rest of the company abandoned all formation and

1 A command actually given in an American machine gun battalion in France.

56 rushed pell-mell for the creek bottom. On the right the enemy’s counter- barrage seemed less effective. Possibly they did not have enough guns, and they made it thicker on my left. I moved over to my right and placed myself between the two lines, and we continued to move forward. Personally I felt that this showed great fortitude on my part. Practically half of my battalion had been killed or wounded, and yet I had not sounded the retreat. At Bull Run the Federal troops retired with much less than that. In fact in no one of our great battles had the losses been 50 per cent. Yet here was I, Major List, still pushing forward after over 50 per cent of my men had been killed or wounded. For some four more minutes we followed the barrage without accident. Then again we had hard luck. The barrage passed some more Red machine guns concealed in the woods south of the bend, and my line began to crumple up on the left. Still we struggled forward, and I noted with pleasure that a small party gained the top of Hill 407 and disappeared. My joy was short-lived, for just then the Red counter- barrage switched from D Company and fell upon A Company, My last supports vanished, and no first line existed except a few men on Hill 407. My battalion was ruined. We had captured Hill 407, but at what a price! On all sides my brave boys were wounded and dying. Time after time my name was called, and I stopped to comfort old and personal friends. Finally, to my great grief, I came across young Frank Hale mortally wounded. I stopped and bent over him. “My boy, my boy, what can I do?” “Major,” he said, “can’t you call us anything but boys? Don’t you think some of us have behaved like grown-up men today?” And he smiled and died. My cup was full, but it overflowed when a messenger rushed up from Captain B to say that he had captured Hill 407, but he had not been © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,issued Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011extra Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorammunition Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©and 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,would Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011have Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011retire Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorif Media, Inc. © 2011I Tantor Media,could Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © not2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorsend Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorhim Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor some. I had none to send him. I did not even know where to find it. Though overcome with bitterness at Colonel R for having given me the hardest job of any of the battalions, I determined to be a soldier to my dying breath. My brave boys were streaming back over the field in wild confusion. No human flesh could stand against that hail of lead from the woods across the creek on our left. I sent Lieutenant Bright back to

57 Colonel R to ask for help—that we were utterly beaten. Meanwhile I determined that I would sell my life as dearly as possible. No one at home should ever say that I, Single List, had fled from the foe. We had seen no enemy, but it was evident that many Red machine guns were in the woods south of the creek. I called for volunteers, and some forty brave lads gathered around me. Remembering my grandfather’s story of how he rallied his men in the deadly Devil’s Den at Gettysburg, I seized a gun and began to exhort them to do their duty by their fellow-countrymen. The tyrannical Reds must not triumph. Our freedom was in danger. The country’s honor was at stake. Remember the glorious democracy for which they were fighting. I would lead them and be one of them. All became fired with my enthusiasm. They clamored for immediate action. They cried, “Lead on, List, we’re with you!” I turned to lead them, but just then three shells burst in our group and machine guns swept us like a hose. I was unhurt, but when the dust cleared not a man of my volunteers was with me--all were dead, wounded, or missing. I looked around the field, but could see no men. All of my battalion had disappeared. Suddenly, Lieutenant Swift grabbed my arm and said, “Look!” I looked to the rear and saw a thin line of Blue skirmishers coming over the ridge. The Second Battalion was coming, but it was too late. My battalion had been fighting the whole battle alone, and it was demolished. No amount of reinforcements could reestablish the battle or bring my brave boys (men) back to me. As the line passed by me I saw that the Major of the second Battalion, was in command and that he was accompanied by the lieutenant-colonel. The latter spoke to me curtly and said, “Colonel R orders that you report to him immediately. I shall take command of your battalion—what is left of it.” As I walked back to Colonel R, I was very much crestfallen. It was © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,evident Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,that Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorI Media, Inc. was© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,to Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,be Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.relieved. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorWell, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011 Tantorwas Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011willing. Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorMy Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.battalion © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwas Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor gone and my heart was broken. I cared no more for wars, and I wanted a peaceful time in the Service of Supply. But I did think that Colonel R should at least thank me for the gallant work done by my battalion. In his dispatches he should mention that the First battalion, under major Single List, had bravely breasted the leaden hail and captured Hill 407, but was unable to advance farther because of severe losses.

58 I did not expect him to mention that my battalion had fought the whole battle alone and unsupported, and had been stopped through lack of support after it had captured the Red fort on Hill 407, but I did hope that he would acknowledge that it had been specially selected for the most difficult task. Also I felt that he should specially mention my gallantry in rallying forty volunteers and advancing to clinch the victory by capturing the Red machine gun nest. He should have left me with my battalion now that the victory was won, and at night the Second Battalion could have safely taken over the position so gallantly won by us. I reported to Colonel R. He told me that I was relieved; that he had recommended me for reclassification; that I was not fit to command the battalion; and that I would at once go back to division headquarters and report to General A. I need not give a long discussion here of the explanations given by Colonel R. It seems that he blamed me for not taking the machine guns before they enfiladed my line, but gave no idea as to how I was to do it. He blamed me for letting my men run out of ammunition, but said nothing about the fact that no ammunition carts had reported to me. He blamed me for allowing my men to be caught in close formation by the Reds’ counter-barrage, but offered no suggestions as to how it could be avoided. In short, he blamed me for and not himself for the loss of the battle. He offered no satisfactory explanation of why he had made my battalion fight the battle alone. He belittled my capture of the Red fort on Hill 407; said it was no victory; that there was not a single Red on Hill 407. He made many heartless remarks about the lack of fighting qualities in my battalion; said it was run like a political club. This last I did not discuss with him, as I saw he was moved by jealousy, and I said nothing more to him. I determined to appeal to General A. At division headquarters General A was too busy to see me, and the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,adjutant Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. handed© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©me 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoran Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,order Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©to 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © go2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorto Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorBluey Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. for© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorreclassification. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,As Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. no© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor one would give me justice, I sat down and wrote to my old friend Senator Sorghum, and told him al about the battle and my victory and about Colonel R’s robbing me and my brave battalion of the credit. I knew that Senator Sorghum would understand me and see that I received justice from the War Department in Washington. The letter finished, I became calm and peaceful, and—woke up.

59 At first I was displeased with my subconscious mind. It had not at all solved my problem. However, I had at least learned four things not to do: 1. Do not let your battalion become a political club. 2. Do not let machine guns enfilade your line. 3. Do not fail to issue extra ammunition. Look it up. 4. Do not get caught in close formation by enemy’s counter-barrage. These lessons were not enough for my problem. I slept, and again my subconscious mind began to revolve and evolve.

Second Solution

AT 6 o’clock I attended the conference at Colonel R’s headquarters as in the First Solution, but I knew a few more principles than in that solution. For or one thing, I felt sure that no troops of mine would ever become a political club. For years, Colonel Grant had been my ideal soldier. Like him I refrained from useless speech during office hours. How well do I remember my first regimental Commander Colonel Puff. How military, how soldierly, how dignified on occasions, how punctiliously truly a model soldier. Off duty he was very pleasant and a true friend, but on duty he never forgot himself. Once while I was on a scouting expedition, I had sent in a requisition for rations and had sent also a note of explanation, beginning, “Dear Colonel.” The rations did not come, but there did come back the whole requisition and a short official letter to the effect that “Lieutenant List will omit all terms of endearment in future communications. He will rewrite his communication and resubmit the requisition.” My party nearly starved to death before the rations came, but the lesson learned was never to be forgotten. Ah! There was the true soldier and gentleman! © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011C Tantor Media,olonel Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorR Media, Inc. © 2011was Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.my © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorsenior Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.officer, © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, and,Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,as Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,such, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.entitled © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.to © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.my © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011respect Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor and obedience. Even so, with all due respect, he lacked the military spirit of Colonel Puff. At this meeting of his field and staff officers, Colonel R spent much time discussing the order and asking questions, instead of simply giving orders in a manner which insure their being obeyed. Two or three times he asked me if I understood, and I always answered: “Sir, the Colonel’s orders will be carried out as he commands.” He looked

60 doubtfully at me for a few moments, but was evidently impressed by my soldierly demeanor, and said nothing. In the training area he had always found that I had carried out his orders absolutely to the letter, and, although our training had been cut short by the exigencies of war, he knew that I would measure up to the standard. After talking more about this small attack than General Grant did about the battle of Cold Harbor, Colonel R finally dismissed us. We all went back to our posts. At once I ordered Lieutenant Swift (my adjutant) to send for the company commanders to report to me for orders. Lieutenant Bright had gone away, without permission, during my absence, but he returned shortly. I asked him where the ammunition carts could be found. He replied that they were only some 400 yards to the southeast at the road fork to this farm house. This was very encouraging, and I told Lieutenant Bright so, which pleased him very much. This Lieutenant Bright was a very capable youngster, but, like all youngsters nowadays, lacked the respect which was rendered to seniors in my youth. Lieutenant Bright was always volunteering information that he had gathered, and even now he burst out with the statement that he had talked with the regiment that we had relieved, and that he was practically certain that no Reds were on our side of Booby’s Creek. I very quickly told Lieutenant Bright that when I wanted to hear from him, he would be sent for; meanwhile, I could dispense with his remarks. So he went out of the cellar. Very soon, the four captains reported and stood at attention in front of me. I gave them their orders quickly. I told them that the battalion would be formed in the manner prescribed in the former drill regulations; that Companies B and C would make the attack in the manner prescribed, at a distance of one man per yard; that they would follow the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,barrage Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, veryInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.closely © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.as © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © long2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011as Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 theyTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 wereTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantornot Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © fired2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011upon Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorby Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,flanking Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor machine guns, but if so fired upon they would wait for the support companies to clear out these groups, and would then go forward; that A and D Companies would take up extended order formation as soon as the enemy’s counter-barrage commenced; that they would at once obtain extra ammunition from the wagons some 400 yards to the southeast at the road fork to this farm house.

61 Captains A and C were then dismissed, saluted, and returned to their companies. But I had some routine work to settle with Captains B and D. Captain B had submitted his pay roll only two days before, and there were many signatures short. I ordered him to go at once to his company, secure these signatures, and return to me with the pay roll. I took occasion to lecture him on the necessity of doing this work properly. Captain D had not correctly made out his ration return, as it showed that he reported more men needed rations than his morning report showed were in his company. This was a very serious error and I feared that an inspector might come around any minute and discover that one of my company commanders had asked for more rations than he was entitled to. He might be court-martialed for embezzlement; so I hastened to order Captain D to go to his company, look up his records, and submit a proper return at once. I then went over the day’s papers with Lieutenant Swift. They were in very bad shape, and I took occasion to tell him that he must never let anything interfere with his duties as adjutant. In two cases, the additions on the morning reports were incorrect. In Company A’s report the remarks and the figures did not agree. I sent for Captain A to come to battalion headquarters and correct his error. I took occasion to censure him for carelessness in making such an error—one which a seven-year- old boy would scorn to make. My last duty consisted in writing an official letter to Lieutenant Bright, directing him to explain in writing his absence from battalion headquarters, without permission, while I was at Colonel R’s. These very important duties kept me busy until 1.30 a.m., but at last all were settled and I could go to sleep. Leaving word that I be called at 3.30, I soon slept soundly. At 3.30 a.m., Lieutenant Swift waked me up, as I had ordered. I must © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,say Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011this Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,for Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © Lieutenant2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorSwift Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor— Media, Inc. © 2011he Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoris Media, Inc. © 2011reliable. Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorI Media, Inc. ©can 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,always Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorbe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,sure Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthat Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©he 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor will do what I tell him to do; that is, unless I tell him not to assume any authority in my absence. It seems that I can not teach him to leave everything to me. Always, when I am away, I find on my return that Lieutenant Swift has done something or commanded something which in the old army was always left to the major.

62 However, Lieutenant Swift had, for once, done right in deciding something without referring the matter to me. During the night several officers of tanks, machine guns, signal troops, and stokes mortars had reported. He had put them in the potato room, and told them that I would see them in the morning. I did not commend Lieutenant Swift, as I did not approve of his taking any action without consulting me, but I was secretly pleased that I had not been obliged to see them. I did not know much about these new-fangled weapons of warfare, and I knew that, in the last analysis, the doughboy would have to take the position. Therefore, I decided to let them alone, and see them after I had taken the position. In this decision, I followed a system or policy that I had learned or inherited from Colonel Puff and other commanding officers, viz., when confronted with some conditions with which you have not had time to familiarize yourself, the best plan is to just say nothing, and, in general, the situation will work itself out. In this case, the doughboy would capture the position, and these new-fangled ideas would just work themselves out. The same plan is followed by our most successful statesmen. They form committees and boards when they do not wish to come to a prompt decision. The question just dies out, from lack of interest due to the length of time since it was originally brought forward. I happen to remember that the War of 1812 was caused by the British exercising the Right of Search, yet the peace treaty some years later did not mention the question of Right of Search. At any rate, I went out on the field, leaving the officers of tanks, machine guns, et cetera, in their room, to sleep during the battle. On the field itself, everything seemed to be going all right. I spent the time until 4.25 going over orders with the captains and their subordinates. My captains were young and enthusiastic, and I had no reason to © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,think Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.that © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,they Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorhad Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011not Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,done Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,everything Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©in 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©their 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © power.2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.But © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,they Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorlacked Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor the broader experience that I had derived from my years of war. I questioned the lieutenants and some of the older sergeants regarding their duty in the coming battle. All seemed well instructed and all expressed a stern disposition to carry out their orders in the grim military manner which has always been the sign of the true soldier. I took occasion to call special attention to the necessity of stopping and holding their formation

63 if enfiladed by machine guns, as I had learned from the First Solution what a horrible slaughter was possible with machine guns enfilading a line. The men themselves seemed to be in excellent condition, strong and determined. They were not disposed to be enthusiastic, but they were ready for battle. Quickly and quietly they carried out the commands of their superiors, and in every way showed the spirit of military discipline which I had instilled into them. I happened to notice that one poor fellow was limping as he marched along. On inquiry, I learned that his feet were blistered as a result of poor fitting of his shoes. I was forced to let him go along, but I made a note of his name, platoon, and company, in order to write to his commander for an official explanation as soon as the battle was over. At 4.25 the line was formed as in the First Solution. At 4.30 the barrage started, and surprised me a great deal, as I had never been near a barrage before. However, I know that war is a matter of life and death, and that the unexpected is to be expected, so I simply gritted my teeth and gave the orders for the advance. My men marched grimly forward as in the First Solution. They were promptly enfiladed by Red machine guns as soon as the barrage passed the trees on the south side of the bend in Booby’s Creek at 344.6-729.3. As one man, the troops stopped, and stood there, except those who fell. Truly these were magnificent soldiers. But the lieutenant waved his hand to me, pointing to the woods, and I at once understood. I ran over to D Company, and commanded Captain D to send forward a platoon to capture the Red machine guns. Before I could say anything more, Lieutenant Swift interrupted with a very foolish question: “Shall not the line lie down?” I had failed to include in my orders a statement to the effect that the line would lie down when enfiladed, until the machine guns had been silenced. I could not think of © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,everything, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011and Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,those Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. captains© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantormine Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwere Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,allowing Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © their2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © men2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.to © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.stand © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor and be slaughtered instead of ordering them to lie down. I directed Lieutenant Swift to see that they received the order to lie down, and again turned to watch the platoon of Company D in its attack on the machine guns. Captain D was the least efficient of my captains, and I had least confidence in him. Only three days before he had asked me to tell him

64 something about how to take machine guns. My reply was: “The only way to take machine guns is to go after them.”2 So, now, I wanted to see if Captain D had learned the lesson I had so grimly imparted. It seemed that he had understood the lesson, but it was again forced upon me that I was not able to rely upon great intelligence from my subordinates. The platoon had actually started for that machine gun in column of squads. I had not time to explain to Captain D, so I ran forward to the platoon, catching it just before it reached the creek bottom, and ordered “As skirmishers!” Luckily for me and for the platoon, the machine gunners were playing on the line of Company C, which they enfiladed, and they did not notice my approach. So the platoon, with me at its head, burst upon them and captured the whole party, two guns and some twenty men. Just at this moment the enemy counter-barrage came down on Companies A and D in support; but they quickly deployed into skirmish line and lay down. They escaped utter annihilation, thanks to my foresight in giving them these orders. Promptly upon cessation of machine gun fire, the line rose—what was left of it—and started forward. Again I took my place in the center. The two support companies, A and D, advanced by rushes in order to avoid the enemy counter-barrage, which was very heavy on Company D. Everything was going along all right. But it did not remain so. The barrage was about 500 yards ahead, and I noticed that on the right Company B started to double time in order to catch up with it again. Company C on the left also started to double time, but just then some more enemy machine guns in the woods south of the creek, which had been passed by our barrage some twenty minutes before, opened up on us, and again my left was enfiladed. Company C on the left at once halted, and lay down; but Company B on the right continued its march. I was in despair. It looked as everything went wrong unless I myself was © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,in Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,charge. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011 ranTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,toward Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Company Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor BMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantorin Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantororder Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,to Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,halt Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorit Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoruntil Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,machine Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor guns had been silenced, otherwise we would soon have no line at all. Before I reached the company, a shell struck Lieutenant Swift in the hand, or rather on the hand, for it took away his whole hand. I stopped at once to apply first aid, and bound up his arm securely. Casually, I remembered that every man of my battalion knew how to apply first aid.

2 Actual words of a colonel of infantry in one of our most famous divisions.

65 It was a matter upon which I had insisted during the training period. However, I realized that there were other things of equal importance, when Lieutenant Swift asked me where he could find the station for slightly wounded. I did not know Colonel R’s order had given it, but I had casually passed it over as not applying to me. Poor Lieutenant Swift had to start to the rear, with a vague hope of finding it. Hundreds of others were doing the same thing. Meanwhile, Company B had marched so far ahead that I could not hope to stop it. No one ever seemed to think that he should act on his own initiative. Everyone waited for me to do everything. Well, Company B was gone, and I supposed it would stop some time; or at least, I would soon extricate Company C from its dilemma, and under my leadership it would advance more rapidly than Company B, and the line would be reestablished. I looked to the left to see what was being done by Company D, the left support company. Just as I had expected, it was also waiting for orders. I could not be everywhere in the field at once, and I had not time to go over to Company D and again personally lead a platoon to capture the machine guns which were enfilading our left. I called out a corporal who was lying in the grass near me, and told him to go over to Captain D and tell him to send forward another platoon to capture the machine guns on our left; then to go forward to the platoon somewhere near the machine guns that we had captured and tell its commander to advance against them when I advanced with some men from Company C. The corporal started off at a run, but I had to call him back and make him salute properly in order to be sure that he had understood his orders. I waited a few minutes, and saw that the corporal arrived safely at Company D. Very promptly a platoon moved out. Horror of horrors! It started for me instead of for the machine guns. Evidently, the corporal © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,had Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantormisunderstood Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011my Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.message. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011 Tantorcould Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, relyInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,on Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©no 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorone. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorI Media, Inc. ©ran 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,to Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor platoon, and asked the lieutenant what his orders were. He said he had been told to report to me with his platoon to capture some machine guns, as though I carried the machine guns around with me. I was very much displeased, and I took occasion to tell the lieutenant that he should stop to think over his orders, and be sure they were reasonable. The lieutenant said that he had always believed this to be correct, but he remembered

66 how one day in a lecture, I had quoted, with much emphasis, the words of Tennyson:

Theirs not to reason why, Theirs not to make reply, Theirs but to do and die

and he also remembered that only a half hour before I had taken command of a platoon and captured some machine guns, consequently he thought I wanted to do it again. I drew myself up and told the lieutenant that if I wanted any advice from him, I would ask for it. Just then, the machine gun opened upon us, and I had to take command of the platoon. I felt that I could not rely upon the lieutenant, as he had shown such lack of initiative. I formed the men as skirmishers, placed myself at their head, commanded “Fix BAYONETS” and “CHARGE” and away we went after the machine guns. Bravely my men followed me, although the machine gun was mowing them down like a scythe. Twice the fire swept from right to left, but missed me each time. The third time I was not so lucky. Two bullets hit me in the left leg, shattering the knee and breaking the hip bone. I was out of the fight, and possibly a cripple for life. Lieutenant Bright at once applied first aid, and sent three men in different directions to find a litter to take me back. While I was lying there, in a semi-conscious condition, many things happened. The remainder of the platoon carried on the charge, and silenced the machine guns. Company C rose and started forward a third time, but was soon stopped again, and what was left of the company seemed to stop for good. A lieutenant from Company B came to say the captain B had passed over Hill 407 and had reached the creek bottom, where he was digging in, as our barrage had already stopped for at least © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,ten Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011minutes Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoron Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011ridge Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorbeyond. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011happened Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011remember Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011that Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.Colonel © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor R’s orders said it would stop for twenty minutes and then go forward again. Captain B’s lieutenant wanted to know what Captain B should do. Should he advance with the regiment on his right, or should he wait for Company C on his left, which seemed a doubtful proposition, as he had seen nothing of Company C for some time. I struggled to tell him to wait for Company C, as he was ordered, but I could not make myself

67 understood. Lieutenant Bright replied for me, or rather he replied: “Tell Captain B that Major List is wounded and cannot continue; that Captain A is in command; that neither I nor anyone else knows anything whatever about what Colonel R’s plans are, as major List never tells us anything, but does it all himself. That he will have to act as he thinks best, or get new orders from Captain A.” I struggled to rise and tell him to carry out his orders exactly as I had given them—that “orders were orders,” but the loss of blood and the pain were too much for me, and I again sank back into unconsciousness. Among my many troubles, I remembered, with a great feeling of satisfaction, that I was so badly wounded that I would not have to hunt for the station for slightly wounded. I smiled with pleasure at this advantage—and woke up. Evidently, my subconscious mind was working a little better. I had learned several more lessons, as follows: 5. Do not do all yourself; let others do their own work, even if not done quite so well as you could do it. 6. There are more ways to take machine guns than simply to “go after them.” 7. The subordinates should be fully informed of so much of the situations and plans as may be necessary for them to carry out their own duties, coordinate with others, and assume additional duties if necessary. 8. Be sure to make your messages so clear that they cannot possibly be misunderstood.

Third Solution

AT 6 p.m. I attended the conference at Colonel R’s headquarters. Colonel R was very serious; seemed much impressed with the fact that there was going to be a battle, and it was evident that to him Battles were © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,very Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorserious Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoraffairs. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011This Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011was Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, butInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011natural, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorin Media, Inc. © 2011view Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,fact Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthat Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.Colonel © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor R had never had the opportunities for thorough education that I had been so fortunate as to obtain. In my school we had battles nearly every day. I remember one week in which we had six battles, and in every one of these battles I made an excellent mark. So, now it was with me simply a question of applying what I had learned.

68 Colonel R went over the whole situation very carefully, and at once I saw that I had been selected to command the assault battalion. In fact, Colonel R in almost as many words said to me that I had been selected because of my standing in the schools, and because of the fact that I was thoroughly familiar with all of the requirements of making an attack. Colonel R pointed in his order that I had been given the following troops to help me:

1 signal detachment 1 company of engineers 2 75-cm accompanying guns 1 Stokes mortar action 1 company machine gun 2 platoons tanks

He also stated that other artillery, machine guns, and Stokes mortars would help me in ways as pointed out by him; but I did not listen particularly, as I did not that it was of especial interest to me. Always, I had been taught to fight my own battles with the forces at my disposal; and I never sought outside help. I wanted to fight only with the troops at my disposal; if I couldn’t get the other troops under my command, I did not care particularly what happened to them. It had been impressed upon us time after time at the schools that only one man should be in control of troops. He should be responsible for the results, therefore, I expected to get the results with the troops directly under me and to consider no others. Colonel R read his orders and went over his maps with us, telling us at the same time that he would give us copies. This he did. Evidently he had never learned the approved system whereby the orders are dictated © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,by Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.officers © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. of© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©the 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorrank Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorColonel Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorless, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011and Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.copies © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorare Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.made © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011only Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011in Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor cases of troops commanded by generals. Of course, the book always states that the orders (by a colonel or less) are thus and so, which “if engrossed would be as follow,” giving the exact orders as was in this case so erroneously given us by Colonel R in writing. Altogether however Colonel R did very well for a man without the advantages possessed by those who had been to the schools and he especially showed great

69 ability in selecting for the most responsible positions those who had been to the schools. On my way back to my battalion headquarters, I determined that there should be no errors in my handling of the orders as was done by Colonel R. He, poor man, had not possessed my advantages, and could be excused. However, I could not make such mistakes. As soon as I arrived at my battalion, I said to Lieutenant Swift (my adjutant): 1. The enemy holds the country to the west of us. We will attack tomorrow morning. 2. My battalion leads the assault and takes the position. 3. You will send messages to the captains and staff to be here for conference at 9 p.m. When the officers of tanks, engineers, etc., report, you will tell them to be here also for the conference. 4. You will issue the necessary instructions regarding supplies. 5. Messages to me here. It will be noticed that I issued these orders exactly in accordance with the approved method in troop leading. Many times I have seen the great advantages of this method. Only once before had I employed it so effectively, viz., when we were ordered to get ready to go to the Mexican border. That time I received a telegram at 2 a.m. to be ready to move at 5 a.m. No previous preparations had been made, but to a man, with my education, it was very easy. I promptly went over to the company office, sent for the first sergeant, and said to him: 1. There is trouble in Mexico. Many U.S. troops are going to the border. 2. This company is to be ready to move at 5 a.m. 3. You will make the necessary arrangements. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 20114. Tantor Media, Inc. © You2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.will © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,issue Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©necessary 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.instructions © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorregarding Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011supplies. Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor 5. Messages to me here. There are three things to be noticed about these two orders: 1. They are exactly according to the troop leading form, consequently nothing is omitted, nothing is forgotten. 2. They are short. It is always desirable to inform the subordinates of only so much as is necessary for their particular purposes.

70 3. They “pass the buck.” It will be noticed in both orders, the matter of supply is neatly handled. Only a man of my education would have done that so well. I did not know exactly what to do about the supply, so I neatly passed it on to the next man. Possibly, he will pass it on to the next man, which is O.K., as eventually it will, reach the person who can handle it. This is an idea that is learned by much practice; always the order reaches someone who can do it. To repeat for clearness. I do not know exactly what to do about supply, so I pass it to the next one. If he knows what to do, he will do it; otherwise his order to his subordinate will contain the same words as mine viz.: “You will issue the necessary instructions regarding supplies.” Truly, it is a great advantage to have gone to the schools. Some less educated officers would have spent much time trying to learn just what were the necessary instructions regarding supplies. Having started the wheels to turning by my order as issued above, I began to work out the solution of the present problem. In all of my experience, I had never yet seen the problem which I could not solve in the required four hours. So with my experience, I felt sure I could solve this one easily within two hours. At once, I ran across certain serious difficulties. However, I shall give here in a brief manner my Estimate of the Situation, as, at the schools, we were always required to make an Estimate of the Situation, even if we did not actually write it down in the problem.

ESTIMATE OF THE SITUATION

Mission.—Very simple; to drive back the Reds in our front, on our sector. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011The Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.Enemy © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor. Media,— Inc. © 2011 Tantor TheMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 RedsTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwere Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,somewhere Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011the Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,west Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,of Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,us. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © I2011 Tantor Media,called Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor in Lieutenant Bright (my intelligence officer) and asked him what he had been able to learn. He was very unsatisfactory in his reports. It seems he had talked with the officers of the regiment which we had relieved, and he had received very different opinions. Some of them had said that the Reds were east of Booby’s Creek, some of them had said they were west of it. One of our patrols had returned with information that they were in

71 the creek bottom and another said they were on top of the ridge west of Booby’s Creek. This was all very confusing, and not at all as I had been taught. Many times, I had seen cases where our instructors had manifestly put “jokers” in the problems, but they had never given us erroneous information about the enemy. It was true that on one occasion, an instructor had told us that we should not rely on every message that we received, but the very next day another instructor had told us that we should do so, hence there was no confusion. Likewise, there was no information as to enemy’s strength and his probable intentions. Altogether, the Estimate of the Situation was not very complete as regards The Enemy. Our Own Troops.—This was very easy. General A commanded all of our troops. Colonel R commanded my regiment. Our particular regiment was to receive support (I had not paid any attention to the special manner.) from special artillery and machine guns. In addition I was to receive support directly from:

1 signal detachment 1 company of engineers 2 artillery 75 cm accompanying guns 1 Stokes mortar section 1 company machine guns 2 platoons tanks

This was all very easy, except that, in the school, we had never used Stokes mortars and tanks. This did not worry me a great deal. I simply decided to keep them in reserve until called for. As to the rest, it was very simple. I simply followed the approved form as follows: (a) Signal detachment: If wireless, they will always set up every hour on the hour for 10 minutes. If wire, they always maintain communications. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011( Tantorb Media, Inc.) © 2011 TantorCompany Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorengineers: Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorAgain, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011it Tantor Media, Inc.was © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,quite Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,simple. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,The Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorengineers Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor always build a bridge or destroy a bridge. Also, they guard the artillery. In this case, they would build a bridge over Booby’s Creek. The exact position made no difference. I decided to put it in the middle of my sector. As to guarding the artillery, I would simply have them guard the 2 accompanying guns.

72 (c) 2 artillery 75 cm, accompanying guns: In none of my problems had I been given such a thing as an accompanying gun. Evidently this was something new of Colonel R’s. However, the answer was easy. Always the artillery is ordered to take position near —— and support the attack. I would have it do so. (d) 1 Stokes mortar section: Nothing of this kind had been used at the schools in their problems. As we had always won the battles I decided that the best thing to do was to put this stokes mortar section in the reserve where I could call on it when needed. (e) 1 company machine guns: This was fairly easy; or rather would have been perfectly easy if we had not already had those 2 accompanying guns. Always the machine guns had supported the attack and always the artillery had supported the attack. Now, in no problem had I ever seen both supporting the attack. Therefore I decided to have the machine guns “assist” the attack. Incidentally the machine guns always took position on some prominent hill; so I had to look up a hill for them, which was very easy. (f) 2 platoons tanks: Like Stokes mortars these were new paraphernalia to me; therefore as with the Stokes mortars, their best position was in the reserve. Plans.—At first I thought that this was the easiest part of it. I had always managed to evolve some plan in accordance with some previous problem in the school. This matter of plans had been very difficult, because of the lack of system at the schools. Time and again I had asked the instructors for something definite on which to base my plans. Invariably they had said that it depended upon circumstances and we would get nothing definite. To me this was the greatest weakness in the schools. There was no accuracy at all and it had become a great guessing contest. However, after a month of fuming and fussing about this lack of © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,system, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,about Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011this Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,continual Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorharping Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,on Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorfact Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©that 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,they Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,would Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011not Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,tell Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor us whether it was best to envelop the flank or to make a frontal attack; about whether it was best to defend with three companies in the firing line and one in support or with two companies in the firing line and two in support and about a lot of similar cases of lack of definiteness on the part of our instructors, I made out what I called my “Dope Sheet of Instructor” and I began to acquire great military ability, and incidentally,

73 good marks. The following are a few extracts from my “Dope Sheet of Instructors”:

Instructor Remarks Brown: Great for detail; decision of little importance; execution of decision very important; nothing positive as to attack or defend Jones: Always attacks; hit his decision; makes no difference about execution; can leave out whole regi- ments, he would never cut for it Smith: Always attacks; always envelops a flank; strong for power of rifle; always say something about the infantrymen being last resort; say little about artillery; strong on “fire superiority.” Williams: Always relies on Artillery; wins the battle with it; look out for problem of river crossing Wright: Always defends; preferably two companies in front line; great for marking on details; must put down every squad; counts them. All: Pick out problem like their last previous one; study and follow it.

Now here was I at last with a real problem before me and I did not © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,see Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011just Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, whatInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.plan © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.I © 2011 Tantorshould Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011follow. Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011There Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,was Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorno Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,last Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorprevious Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, problemInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor like this one, because we had never had a frontal attack, and no Red instructor had taught at the schools. Always we had developed a flank or defended a line. I decided that I must proceed without enveloping a flank, since I could not defend. However, I could at least apply a part of my learning. Always we had put two companies in the holding attack and two companies in the enveloping attack—now, I could put two companies

74 in the fighting line and two companies in the support line. The matter of fire superiority worried me considerably. Many times I had asked the question of just how one could determine when he had obtained “fire superiority,” and had been told that it “depended upon circumstances,” but that in a real battle it would be so simple it could not be mistaken. Decision.—To attack. Details of Decision.—(See Orders) Orders.—At 9.00 p.m. I dictated the following orders to the assembled officers, except that the officers who were to be attached to help me with tanks, machine guns, etc., had not arrived, and Lieutenant Swift took notes for them:

1. The Reds area to the west of us. Our army attacks tomorrow. 2. This battalion and attached troops attack at 4.30 a.m. and drive back the Reds. 3. (a) The 2 accompanying guns will take position near this farmhouse and support the attack. (b) Companies B and C will form the firing line. (c) Companies A and D will form the support. (d) Machine gun company will proceed to hill 441 and assist the attack. (e) Two platoons of engineers will build a bridge across Booby’s Creek at 343.5-729.5; time to be given by me later; two platoons will protect the artillery. (f) Signal troops will connect me with Regimental Headquarters and with the 2 accompanying guns. (g) 2 platoons tanks and 1 Stokes mortar section will constitute the reserve, take position in ravine at 345.6-729.7 and await further orders. 4. Extra ammunition will be obtained at road junction about 400 © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,yards Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.southeast © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,of Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,here. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Each Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.unit © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,will Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantormake Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,its Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,own Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,arrangements Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.about © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor other supplies. Station for slightly wounded at 346.8-728.8. 5. Messages for me at centre of support. Owing to my great experience, the actual speaking of this order occupied me only a few minutes. By 9.30 p.m. I was asleep. At 3.30 a.m. Lieutenant Swift woke me up and I went out on the field as in previous solutions. The barrage opened at 4.30 just as at other

75 times and we started forward. Very soon the barrage cleared the machine guns in the woods south of the bend and the men in Company C began to fall. However as I had been taught at school and as I had taught my men that the support was not for small reverses it was the duty of the Captain of Company C to take care of his left. This he did very well. He sent several squads in that direction and about half of the company continued forward behind the barrage. Very soon more enemy machine guns raised their heads after the barrage had passed and soon all of Company C was engaged in a fight to its left being entirely at right angles to its original front. This was a condition of very little importance to me as I had expected difficulties, but I very quickly and in a truly Napoleonic manner diagnosed the situation. The Reds were south of the creek. Therefore their left (our right) was their weak point. If I could defeat their left, I would swing around and envelop their right and it would have to fall back. In fact, the whole battle at once assumed a familiar aspect to me, viz., an envelopment and I let my mind stray from its concentrated thinking just long enough to record a few stray sentences of appreciation of my old instructor, Major Smith, who said that it was always best to envelop a flank. As a matter of fact, until my right defeated the Reds in its front, I was the one being enveloped, but at any rate I was on familiar ground; and as soon as I drove back their left, I would swing around and envelop them, and all would be just as I had learned in so many approved solutions. Being now on familiar ground, the rest was easy. I promptly left Company C to fight its own battle, ordered Company D into the gap on the left of Company B, placed myself at the head of the remaining support, Company A, and continued forward. The enemy’s counter- barrage came down on us at the same time as in previous solutions, but © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © companies2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 quicklyTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorformed Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011as Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorskirmishers Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.and © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,continued Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,forw Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorard, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Companies B and D some 60 yards behind the barrage, Company C almost at right angles to them and now fighting in the creek bottom north of the woods. Company A advancing by rushes and lying down to avoid the enemy’s counter-barrage. Our losses were quite severe, and I mentally reminded myself that of all losses, only some 20 per cent actually died, so I continued on my way serenely confident. Company C

76 was having difficulties, and captain C sent me a message asking for reinforcements; but I sent back word that I would soon envelop the troops in front of him and the Reds in front of him would retreat. In this formation of attack, we continued forward. Very soon, the enemy counter-barrage was passed and I formed up Company A in line of platoon columns, as I could thereby keep better control of this reserve, I remember distinctly a statement that was often quoted at the school, viz. “Always retain a formed reserve; it will serve to clinch the victory or to prevent utter defeat.” I had tried to get them to tell me when to use it to “clinch the victory,” but again was told that it “depended upon circumstances.” Always the same old dodge to avoid giving the student some dope on the solution. Even so, now in real battle, I had the formed reserve and I was soon to make the enveloping attack. Company C was making the holding attack—nothing was left undone. We continued on our way, following the barrage. The barrage passed over Hill 407 and its ridge to the south, crossed Booby’s Creek, proceeded steadily nearly to the top of hill 442, then stopped for the 20 minutes as originally laid down in Colonel R’s order and as stated in the previous solution. Promptly, and in a manner which showed the effectiveness of my training them to depend on themselves in unexpected situations, captains B and D ordered their troops to lie down until the barrage started forward again. Truly did this demonstrate my faith in their judgement and in my training, I could have told them that the barrage would stop for these 20 minutes just this side of hill 442, but I hoped and expected that they would act just as they did act; so my faith was justified. Very soon, as the enemy’s fire was quite deadly, they fell back a few yards to the creek bottom, prepared to go forward quickly. This was again a tribute to my training of them in self-reliance. Meanwhile, I had halted the reserve, Company A, in a very advantageous position at the road junction about © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,450 Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 yardsTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorsoutheast Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011of Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011hill Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,407 Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 whereTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,they Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,could Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.move © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011(1) Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorover Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,hill Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor help Company B, (2) along the road to the southwest to help Company D, or (3) almost due south to help Company C. The company was kept in line of platoon columns, as I wished it to be well in hand. While we awaited the further advance of the barrage, I felt that everything was satisfactory. The enemy’s counter-barrage had ceased back of us; the fire of Company C on my left was dying down, thereby showing that the

77 Reds were retiring as a result of my threat to their left flank; and to the front Companies B and D were in a strong position, almost a natural trench. For the next few minutes, I diverted myself by watching the antics of an enemy aeroplane just over our heads. It was firing at something, and its fire seemed to be in the nature of a signal. As I had unfortunately not brought with me any of the signal men, I could make no real progress in reading the signals, but at any rate, it was excellent flying. Several times the aeroplane circled directly over my head and each time dropped a few star shells. One of my men remarked that it was very pretty, but that it was not war; and I felt a kind of superiority over these ignorant Reds who were so poorly trained that one of their airmen would fly around in circles and drop beautiful shells when it was so evident that we were winning and he would surely be useful elsewhere. Some ten minutes after the barrage had assumed its stationary position on the front slope of hill 442, I heard the rat-tat-tat of enemy machine guns from the direction of hill 443. I gave the matter no especial attention, as we were not injured. However, Lieutenant Swift became very much worried. He rushed up to me with his map and said “We must take that hill 443; our barrage has passed there, and they area now enfilading Companies B and D on one side and Company C on the other, I saw his point, and at once ordered two platoons of Company A to take the hill at a double time; to stop for nothing except to fix bayonets; not to fire a single shot. I feared it was too late; and so it proved. Here I had been contentedly waiting ten minutes doing nothing whatever while the enemy machine guns on hill 443 had been adjusting their sights with occasional shots and placing themselves in perfect position to enfilade all of the troops I had except the reserve. I was not sure that this was the time to “clinch the victory,” but I was sure that if it did not hurry, it could © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,not Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © “prevent2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorutter Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantordefeat.” Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Hardly had the two platoons from D Company started before I received messages from the captains of all three companies, and each said that he must have reinforcements, that his men were being absolutely destroyed by the enfilading machine guns. I turned to give orders for the two remaining platoons to also go for this hill 443, but I never gave the orders. Just as I opened my mouth, some five hundred

78 shells exploded in the exact spot where my two remaining platoons were standing. The air was full of arms and legs; and when the dust cleared I could see nothing of those two platoons except a few lone men who were running and staggering away from this holocaust. It seems that the Red airman was not amusing himself with those star shells; he was pointing out our exact position, and the whole Red counter-barrage batteries plunked down one round on us at one time. Nothing was left of us except myself and Lieutenants Swift and Bright. Being human like others in spite of my war training I felt a decided aversion to my present location, so I quickly started after those two platoons. And, in spite of the fact that they were going at full speed I managed to catch them just as they reached the creek bottom to the northeast of hill 443. We went no farther because the firing had stopped on our right, and I was amazed to see a white flag waving over the positions of Companies B and D. On our left, the firing soon died out and I concluded that Company C had hidden in the woods. Shortly after a message came to me from a sergeant of Company B to say that he had surrendered because the captain was dead and only some 40 of his men were left. A corporal from Company D crawled along the creek and reported to me that he had escaped; but that some 30 men and one wounded lieutenant had surrendered; he supposed the rest were dead. No messages came from Company C but desultory firing at odd times showed me that some few of the company were clearing the woods. It appeared that I was commanding nearly all that was left of my battalion, mow amounted to only two platoons. For a long time I held the creek bottom with those two platoons. Eight times, I tried to send a messenger to Colonel R, but each time saw the messenger caught by the sweep of several machine guns. I was puzzled as to how or when I should recognize the fact that either I or the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Reds Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.had © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor “fireMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,superiority.” Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,It Inc. © 2011 Tantorwas Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorevident Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthat Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011out Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,in Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011open, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,where Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor those eight messengers had fallen, the Reds had “fire superiority”; but I was still holding my own in the creek bottom, I saw nothing to indicate that the Reds had “fire superiority” over me in the creek bottom. Of course, if the Reds had suddenly risen up in great numbers and had charged my position, then I would know that they had just a moment before had the “fire superiority”; but just at that moment I would have

79 the fire superiority and would slaughter them as they advanced. We were safe from enfilade by the machine guns; and I felt that “fire superiority” or no “fire superiority” we could hold on until help came. But when would it come? I still had a company of engineers waiting back there for orders to come forward to build a brigade; 1 company of machine guns were somewhere on a hill top to the east provided they had not moved or been destroyed; and 1 section Stokes mortars and 1 platoon of tanks were in reserve. All I needed to do was to get a message back to them. But this I could not do. Bitterly did I regret that I had not brought with me a signal man; or had not at least ordered the signal troops to stretch a wire or make arrangements for visual signals. Six more messengers fell under the machine gun fire. Lieutenant Bright, who knew the signal wig-wag code, tried many times to wigwag with his hat but obtained no results. All of us searched our pockets for mirrors or anything that would reflect sunlight but we found nothing. There was no hope for it but to sell our lives as dearly as possible. Grimly we held our position for two hours. The enemy may have thought they had “fire superiority,” but I did not acknowledge it; so we held on. Finally, about 8.00 a.m. a machine gun opened up in extension of our line to the north-west and many men were immediately hit. I could not see the machine gun; but it was evident that a machine gun had slipped around and was now enfilading our line perfectly. Evidently the Reds now had fire superiority; in three minutes 50 per cent of us were hit. I surrendered. The Reds took us up to hill 443 and then over to the west of hill 442 where I met Captain B who had been brought in on a litter as he was seriously wounded but not killed as was reported by the sergeant. He said that everything went beautifully until the machine guns opened up © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,prolongation Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,of Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,his Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. line.© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.After © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©that 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,his Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©men 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.tried © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, toInc. © 2011 Tantor Media,dig Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011in, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorto Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorhide, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorto Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorrun, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor but it was all useless. He was shot before he could put up a white flag and over half of the company were shot before they finally put it up. If their surrender had been delayed some four minutes longer, there would have been no unwounded men to surrender. Company D men said about the same thing.

80 As we marched westward, a column of prisoners guarded by a few Red soldiers I looked about me; and I saw that the Red Infantry was comparatively untouched; my whole battalion had been defeated by a few machine guns who undoubtedly had fire superiority when they enfiladed us. Also I saw that my idea of enveloping the Red left was utterly at fault. The Red left was miles to the north. All day we marched to the west and finally stopped for the night in one of the passes of the mountains. The scenery was beautiful; but I had no eye for beauty. I was very tired and I sank to the ground in utter exhaustion and —— woke up. My sub-conscious mind was evidently progressing somewhat. I now had a few more lessons at my command, viz.: 9. In modern warfare with large forces there are no real enveloping attacks; a surprise flank attack is so easily delayed that it becomes a frontal attack. With interior units, it is of first importance to sweep the whole of the enemy’s line at once. Any angle in your line exposes at least some of it to enfilade fire and any line exposed to enfilade fire is surely ruined. 10. Signal troops should be used to connect you to other places. This means you should not often move but if forced to move, you should have the signal troops connect you in your new position. 11. Engineers are good for some things besides building bridges; also, they are not now often needed as artillery supports. 12. Accompanying guns should do more than shoot at things in general; they should have a target possibly changing, but always a target that you know. 13. Machine guns also need exact targets just as is the case with accompanying guns. 14. Stokes mortars and tanks do not belong in the reserve. 15. Fire superiority is a matter of nerve; as long as you are winning, © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,you Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorhave Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,“fire Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,superiority”; Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,when Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011you Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. are© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorlosing Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011the Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,enemy Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,has Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011“fire Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor superiority”; when you are doubtful whether or not you have “fire superiority,” it is probable that you are winning but are afraid that you are losing.

81 Fourth Solution

IN order to be sure that I did not miss anything, and also to meet my old friend, Captain Strong, who was an old college mate of mine and who was now at Colonel R’s headquarters, I started out about 5.00 p.m. on my way to the conference scheduled for 6.00 p.m. When about half way to headquarters, I ran across Billy Flight, another old college mate of mine, now in the aviation corps. Billy was just going up to take a view of the Red lines, and he invited me to go along. He assured me that he would return in time for me to reach headquarters by 6.00 p.m. I seized this opportunity to take a ride over the Red lines in an aeroplane, and incidentally to learn something about the Red positions. We made the flight all right, but we did not see any trenches, because we spied a Red aeroplane which Billy and I chased for several miles until it ran us into a lot of other Red planes. Billy did some expert diving, and I had the thrill of my life while we were getting, away from their neighborhood. This little encounter delayed us more than we had expected. I was some 15 minutes late when I reached Colonel R’s headquarters. I told the colonel the cause of the delay, and he said very little to me except that it was foolish to risk my life in such a manner. The Old Man was pretty serious. He did not say much to me about the delay, but two or three times he called me down as I was telling one of the other majors a joke about one of my lieutenants who had misunderstood my signals on a march and had turned his platoon off on the wrong road, making it necessary to hike some six extra miles in order to reach our position. The Colonel told me that I must remember that this was a matter of life and death, and that I must go after it with all my force, and win out. I told him that he could rely on me; that I would be right there from Kick-off to the Touch-down; that I had a team that couldn’t be beaten by any bunch © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,of Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Reds Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,that Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwere Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorever Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011gotten Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,together. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011This Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011seemed Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © pacify2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,him Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 aTantor Media, Inc.little. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor The Old Man certainly was serious. Time and again, he called our attention to some special points in the order. I began to see that he felt that it was up to us. I noted everything down just as he wished. He has always been fair with me, and I certainly intended that nothing should go wrong because of any omission on my part.

82 I realised that this war game was a little new and that there were some points in it which required careful attention. I did not feel sure that I knew it all. I had been every minute on the job, and had recently been made a major because I had been so much on the job. At college, I had started in as a green man, and had made the Varsity team in some six weeks. Finally, in the last game, I had made the touch-down which won the game. Now, after all our practice, we were in for a real game. Even so, I did not intend to let my conceit lead me into errors’ so every time Colonel R mentioned anything with emphasis, I noted it down so that I would be sure to attend to it. He specially told me not to let my line be enfiladed by machine guns; not to think that I could do it all; not to use all of the special troops that were assigned to help me. This was all old stuff that I had learned during the period of intensive training, but I noted it down just the same. If anything struck me as being in the least doubtful, I asked lots of questions until it was cleared up. Colonel R always went into these points with me in great detail, and I finally felt that I had it all straight. At last we were dismissed and I returned to my headquarters in the farmhouse cellar. It was a jolly bunch that I found at my headquarters. Lieutenant Swift was playing on a mouth organ and Lieutenant Bright was accompanying him with a guitar which he had found under some rubbish in the farmer’s cellar. I told Lieutenant Swift to send for all of the bunch to meet me at 10.00 p.m., at which time I expected the representatives of the signal troops, machine guns, Stokes mortars, etc., to arrive and report to me. In fact, to be sure they would come promptly, I telephoned to Captain Strong at Colonel R’s headquarters to hurry them up, as I wanted to get my orders all settled as soon as possible. While we were waiting for them to come, I asked Lieutenant Bright © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,what Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.he © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 couldTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, tellInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorme Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011about Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011enemy’s Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.machine © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorguns. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.Lieutenant © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Bright said that he has talked with the Intelligence Officer and many other officers of the regiment that we had relieved and had received reports from several of our own patrols, but that we were not positive of the Red position. He felt positive that there were no Reds east of Booby’s Creek, but he felt sure of nothing on the other side. They might be anywhere.

83 It appeared to me that it was now some three hours before the meeting at 10.00 p.m., and I told Lieutenant Bright that there was just time for us to go out on a patrol, and see what we could learn. Lieutenant Swift said that he would also like to go, but that no one would be left to take care of reports that might come in. I told him to let the old office run itself for once. So we three went out on a little patrol of our own, taking two of the headquarters orderlies with us. It was quite an adventure, and we were especially successful. We went to the bend in the creek, and followed along the north bank for about 300 yards. At several places we heard Reds talking, and felt sure they were placing machine guns in the woods on the south bank. Finally, just as a lark, we slipped across to the south side and captured two Reds who were by themselves. However, one of them was quite brave, and he kept yelling out something which aroused the others and they came after us. We did not have the heart to shoot this Red soldier in order to keep him quiet, so we had to just tie them both and run away as fast as we could in order to save ourselves. We got away safely, the Lieutenant Smith was wounded in the arm and had to go back to the hospital, thus leaving me with no adjutant. At 10.00 p.m. all of the various officers of the special troops and also the captains of my companies were with me at the farmhouse, and we set ourselves to work to see what we should do. First, we had a little gabfest in order to get acquainted, and I found two old friends among the special officers. Truly, it was a pleasure to see them. Then, I made a little speech, in which I said I knew all about my own team—the battalion— but that these new members of our team were beyond me and I wanted to ask each of them what he could do. (a) The signal detachment officer said he could keep me in touch with anything. I told him to do so—to keep me in touch no matter where © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011went. Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor (b) The engineer officer said that his strong point was fighting, though no one ever believed him; they always wanted him to build a bridge. Just to pacify him, I told him I would make him our reserve for fighting. (c) The accompanying guns officer said that it was all foolishness about his accompanying me; that he would accompany me by fire; that

84 he would watch my line and keep his shells just a little ahead of it. This was approved. (d) The Stokes mortar officer said that his long suit was shooting into ravines; so we told him very simply to shoot into Booby’s Creek, that it was a whole ravine to itself. (e) The machine gun officer said that he was strongest on overhead barrages; that if I would let him get indirect fire ahead of me, the Reds would wish they had never been born; so I told him to watch for me and keep ahead of me. (f) The tanks said he was good in open country, but that woods were bad for him. He was told to follow the barrage in open country and destroy all machine guns that he found there. I then told Captain B and C that they would cover the front, north of the creek, at the usual distance apart of the of the skirmishers. I directed Captain D to take his whole company just back of the left flank, follow the barrage closely, and jump across Booby’s Creek as fast as possible, and when the barrage passed the clump of woods, to capture those machine guns before they had time to open up on our line. Next, I told the captain of Company A and the engineers that they would be the reserve, and would follow behind the center, being careful to deploy as skirmishers and lie down in order to minimize the losses from the enemy’s counter-barrage. All of us then carefully studied the map for an objective. Always, during training, we had been given an objective, and it had been impressed upon us that all of the experience of the English and French in Europe showed that an objective must not be overrun. The disaster to the British at Cambrai had been more or less indefinitely charged to their failure to stop when their objective had been reached. In the trench fighting which we had practices in our training our objective had in no © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,case Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,been Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,more Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, thanInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,1,200 Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011yards Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoraway, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.and © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,generally Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorit Media, Inc. © 2011had Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,been Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.about © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor 800 yards. So we all searched the map for an objective about 800 yards away. We could find none nearer than the line of Booby’s Creek, some 1,500 yards distant, so, to my great regret, I had to designate Booby’s Creek as the objective. I started to ring up Colonel R and ask him if this was too far an objective. We noticed in the order that the artillery barrage would halt for 20 minutes on the slope behind Booby’s Creek, so it was

85 decided that this was the best place for the objective. All were then told to carry lots of hand grenades, as my training experience showed we always needed lots of them to capture an objective. After our work had been completed we all felt satisfied, and sat around for some two hours reminiscing about the old times at our various alma maters. Finally, about 11.00 p.m., we gathered around the council table, and sang a few songs: “It’s Always Fair Weather,” “Way Down Yonder in the Cornfield,” “Adaline.” It was 1.00 a.m. before the party broke up. At 3.30 a.m. Lieutenant Bright woke me, and I went out on the field. Everything looked encouraging. The fog was lifting, and it promised to be a bright sunshiny day. Nothing could be better. It is true that the Reds could see better on a clear day, but our spirits were so greatly improved by the fair weather and our morale was excellent on a bright sunshiny day. It made me think of the beautiful day when my college swamped its rival in baseball by the score of 16 to 1, and we almost had a real fight because the called us Free Silverites. At 4.30, the barrage started, and we followed it as in the last solution, with Companies B and C in skirmish line and the tanks waddling along with them. However, this time the line went forward without any deadly enfilade fire from the woods on our left. The men of Company D were right on the heels of the barrage, jumped across the creek the moment that the barrage passed and smothered the machine guns. This was deadly work and many of my men were killed. The enemy machine guns were often some distance back from the creek and fired through lanes made in the trees. As a result, if they raised their heads after the barrage, they managed to get in some shots before the men from Company D could cross the creek and get them. Four machine guns were captured, but the rest got away. It was deadly work. But Company D, with fearful © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,loss, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,cleaned Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, themInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©up 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 soTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorfast Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011or Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011kept Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011them Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorso Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor busyMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,that Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthey Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorcould Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,not Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor disturb the rest of the line. As a result, the line moved forward with precision, just behind the barrage, and reached the objective. Company D, or what was left of it, came up and extended the line just on the east slope of hill 443, and we proceeded to dig in and consolidate. I sent forward the engineers to consolidate the position. I had always heard the engineers should be on hand to consolidate a position, but I never knew

86 just what this meant, and it appears that engineers themselves do not know. Obediently, they went forward and spread through the lines and gave a lot of advice, but in reality they joined in as infantry, and helped to hold the position. As this was what the engineer captain said he wanted I felt I had done just right. The tanks reported that they were stuck in the creek. I thought it was a good place to be stuck, so it was all right. Meanwhile, I told my signalman to send a message to Colonel R to the effect that we had taken our objective, Booby’s Creek, and were now consolidating the position. As this had to be signaled, and then telephoned, it took some time. In fact, I did not expect any answer. I only wished to show the Old Man that I had succeeded, just as I had told him I would. I rather expected that he would send forward another battalion to relieve me at dark and I could then return to the reserve and reorganize my force, now somewhat cut up, though not at all seriously injured, as their losses had been only some 20 per cent. I directed A Company to dig squad trenches with large intervals in its reserve position east of the small ridge through hill 407. Then I went forward to the front line to see what could be seen. Our barrage started again, the 20 minutes being up, and went on over the bluffs and valleys to the west of Booby’s Creek. My accompanying guns had ceased firing, and the Stokes mortars and machine guns either had ceased firing or were firing on targets not in my immediate vicinity. As the enemy seemed fairly quiet, I congratulated myself that I had won a hard fight, and that tomorrow would be another day, and possibly tomorrow another battalion would do the attacking. Meanwhile we had won enough glory for a while at least. My satisfaction was not lasting. My signalman handed me a message from Colonel R, some 20 minutes after our barrage had started on its © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,jaunt Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,over Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011hills Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©and 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,valleys Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor toMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor theMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.westward. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©This 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.message © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwas Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © stern2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor and to the point. It said: “You were given no objective period. You should not have stopped until the barrage stopped and not even then. Keep going. Hurry!” It thus appeared that I should now be following the barrage on its scenic tour; and it was now 500 yards away and going strong. I gave commands and messages to hurry forward, but it was at least half an hour

87 before we could get started, as everybody was busy digging in, some of them did not want to go, and some did not believe that I had given such an order as I had been so careful to have it explained to the last private that the creek bottom was our objective, and that we would stop there. Incidentally, they had laid aside their hand grenades and had to find them again. At last I got them started, and they hurried forward to catch the barrage before it had lost itself in the Pacific Ocean. My machine guns and Stokes mortars did not help at all. I tried to send a message back to them, but was told by the signalman that, although the signalmen were on the job, yet they did not have any orderlies and could send messages only by telephone or by visual signals. However, they did catch the accompanying guns and told them to help. In fact, these two accompanying guns did the best they could, but with all due credit to them I must say that the barrage made by them was about as effective as nothing at all. Once or twice I thought I saw the burst of one of their shells, but I am not sure that it was not an enemy shell falling short. At any rate, off we started and progressed beautifully until we reached the top of hills 442. My men passed over, and I reached the top of the hill in time to see the last flick of dust from our barrage disappear over the ridge some 900 yards to the west. This was a little comfort; at least the barrage was not lost altogether, and by quick running we might catch it. I remembered that I had once run 100 yards in 10 seconds; therefore, my men should cover ground in twice that time, which would make them catch the barrage in a little over 9x10x2 seconds=180 seconds or 3 minutes. Altogether I calculated that in 5 more minutes we would be as well off as ever, and my error would be compensated. But it was nor to be. I saw my line of men some 200 yards ahead of me going at a run (as fast as they could run when loaded down with hand © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,grenades); Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © and2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. then© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011I Tantor Media, Inc. ©saw 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©the 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,most Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011awful Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,destruction Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthat Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorI Media, Inc. © 2011 everTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor witnessed. Machine guns, artillery, mortars, everything seemed to open up on that poor thin line, and it just naturally went out of business. Some few of the men reached the ravine at the foot of the hill and hid in the trees. Most of them fell. A very few ran back by me on the hilltop. It even seemed as if the enemy was vindictive, and they pursued the few who ran past me. Shells and bullets followed them and soon I was in the

88 midst of the awful carnage. It was evident to me that the battle was over as far as I was concerned. I looked to the east and saw the Second Battalion coming at a double time, but it would take more than a battalion to capture that hilltop. Being a true sport to the last, I stuck to my post and with my glasses looked at the enemy position, so that I could tell the commander of the Second Battalion of what the position consisted. I saw wire along the whole front; I saw a few Reds standing on the hill making signals to the rear; I saw a few more trenches here and there; and I thought I could locate a few concrete machine gun emplacements. It was evident to me that even if we had been right along with the barrage, we could never have struggled through that belt of wire and demolished those machine guns without the help of wire cutters, smoke and tanks. Yet, I had organized no wire cutters; the Stokes mortars were not close enough to help with smoke, and the tanks were stuck in the creek bottom. It is true that there were some engineers scattered through my fighting line like infantry; but they were using their rifles, and they do not carry wire cutters except on special occasions. I saw that I had still much to learn about this war game. After my men had all streamed by me, I still stuck to my position on the hill. I determined that I would not leave, but would wait until the major of Second Battalion came up. Meanwhile, I would learn all I could, and tell him on his arrival. But even this was not to be. Very soon I heard the scream of a shell coming directly toward me, but I stood and did not flinch. It struck me, and tore away part of my shoulder and then buried itself in the ground behind me. It did not even explode. I was killed by a “Dud.” It flashed over my mind what my old college friends would say: “Yes, List, the man who made the winning touch-down in 1910 was killed in the Battle of Booby’s Bluffs; but he was killed by a ‘Dud’.” My life was ebbing away, and everything was becoming dark. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Suddenly Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor itMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantoroccurred Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011me Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,that Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor IMedia, Inc. © 2011was Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011alone, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,that Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorno Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.one © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,would Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorever Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor know that I was killed by a “Dud”; so I felt comforted and actually smiled as I lapsed into unconsciousness—and woke up. My subconscious mind had done well. I knew several more lessons: 16. The business of war is not a game. It is a science, and there are always new ideas in the business. It cannot be partially learned in six

89 weeks, and can never be entirely learned; always one can learn something new about it. 17. There should be no limited objective in an attack; the barrage must be followed to its end, and then the captured objective must be exploited as far as is possible with the troops remaining in the attacking force. 18. There should always be a battalion headquarters, even if the major is nor with it. This headquarters is preferably at the head of the telephone line, and orderlies and messengers should be there to connect up with places not otherwise accessible. 19. Engineers can fight, but are to be used for that purpose only when necessary. Front line engineers are to help forward the rest of the troops, especially tanks and artillery. 20. Such jaunts as night patrols, aeroplane rides, must not be taken by commanding officers. No commanding officer is justified in unnecessary bravery, as he may be killed, and many more will be killed because of his death. First: he should never risk himself; second: he should never risk his staff, unnecessarily.

Fifth Solution

AT 6 p.m. I was at Colonel R’s headquarters, and we promptly went to work. Colonel R was very anxious to see that I understood everything. This was the first time that I had seen the Colonel since my return from a course with G-5. I had always been impressed with the fact that the Colonel was a thorough student of the art of war, and my recent duty with the G-5 had shown me that he was much better than most of the other officers with whom I had become acquainted. However, I was again impressed with his thoroughness. He called my attention to several © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,things, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,asked Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011many Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,questions, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorbrought Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,out Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. lessons© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © which2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,are Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor already listed as having been learned. Especially did Colonel R tell me to be careful to put all of my assisting troops to the use for which they were best fitted. Finally, we went carefully over the minutes as shown by the artillery barrage lines, and I figured out just exactly the minute that the artillery would stop and start again at hill 442 and its north and south ridge.

90 Although I was not in the artillery, I had always been impressed with those beautifully exact parallel lines which they always drew just 100 yards apart showing that the artillery barrage moved at the rate of 100 yards in 4 minutes. At 6.30 a.m. the artillery would stop on hill 442 and its north and south ridge; at 6.50 a.m. it would go forward again. This gave me 20 minutes to get ready to go forward with the barrage. It was all beautiful and impressive. This time I questioned Colonel R carefully as to just what was expected of my battalion; and he told me that he expected that I would take the bluff (hills 462 and 463) some 1,500 yards west of Booby’s Creek, that the barrage would then cease as shown by the fact that the beautiful parallel lines stopped there, and that I would then hold that position and exploit my success in so far as was possible in view of the condition of my battalion and of the comparative successes of the troops on my right and left. Colonel R also said I might expect the 2d Battalion to be close up behind me at that time; that it would have orders to do what he (Colonel R) thought best in view of the existing situation as shown by my reports—but to be sure to send him reports. I returned to my farmhouse as in the other solutions, questioned Lieutenant Bright about the information concerning the enemy, and received the same reply as before, viz., that the reports were very indefinite and that he could only say that it appeared that there was no enemy east of Booby’s Creek. This information was not enough. I sent orders to the companies to send out patrols and bring back the desired information by 10 p.m. This was done, and I may state here that the information received was to the effect that there was surely no enemy east of Booby’s Creek, but there were many Reds and some machine guns in the woods south of the bend. There was a Red line of sentinels on © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © west2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©side 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, ofInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.Booby’s © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 CreekTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorno Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,patrol Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©had 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,been Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,able Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorto Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorpenetrate Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor that line to determine whether it camouflaged a line of trenches or whether it was simply an outpost some thousand or more yards in front of their main line of resistance. All of this information was received by 10 p.m., at which time the captains and the officers of special assisting troops were present in accordance with orders as issued in the Fourth Solution. This time, I

91 knew a little more about the uses of the special assisting troops, and made my dispositions somewhat differently, but generally in accordance with a plan which pleased them: (a) The signal detachment was ordered to connect me with the accompanying guns and also with Colonel R’s headquarters as before, but this time, I decided to stay with them, making my headquarters with the detachment or rather making it part of my headquarters. If I left the headquarters, I would leave Lieutenant Smith (my adjutant) and half of the orderlies with it and take with me several of its members so that I could wig-wag back messages to anyone, which messages would be delivered by telephone or by orderly with the least possible delay. (b) The engineers were given orders quite different from last time. Two platoons were detailed as wire cutters, to remain with the front line infantry and cut wire for them where they could not get through. Two other platoons were to accompany the tanks. To get them across Booby’s Creek. For this purpose, they were to prepare certain fascines or logs which they would place on the tanks to carry forward with them and throw across the creek when they arrived there, so that the tanks would not get stuck in the creek. (c) The two accompanying guns seemed to be all right, and their commander claimed that he would keep up with me. I gave them the same orders as in the last solution. (d) The Stokes mortar man happened to mention that he had smoke, and I at once decided that he would be able to blanket the machine guns on our left until the infantry could reach them; thereby many lives would be saved. I ordered them to put down smoke just as per the artillery barrage, taking position for that purpose in the cut just southeast of road crossing 420. (e) The machine guns were given the same orders as before, viz., to © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,watch Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011me Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorand Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©keep 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. their© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.fire © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorahead Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, ofInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, me.Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor (f) The tanks were told to keep in line with the infantry. On no account were they to get ahead of the infantry, nor were they to fall behind the infantry.3 I then gave Captains B and C the same orders as in the Fourth Solution. They would cover the front, north of the creek. They would

3 Order actually given to a tank organization in one of our largest battles in France.

92 spread out their skirmishers so as to cover the whole front except where D Company would be; Company D was given the same orders—to clear out the machine guns in the woods. Company C was the battalion reserve. The whole plan was gone over very carefully, and I explained to all that we had no limited objective, that we would follow the barrage to the bluff (hill 462-hill 463), where the barrage would cease. But that did not mean that we would stop. Our further actions at that time would depend on our condition and on the relative successes of the troops to our right and left. After everyone had gone over the whole plan and had asked all possible questions, I dismissed them, and went to sleep confident that we would the next day take the position and enforce our will upon the enemy. At 3.30 a.m., the signal corps man on duty waked us all up, and we went out on the field. I had previously decided that I would view the battle from hill 441, where the machine guns were located, and during the night the signal detachment has installed a telephone on the eastern slope. Also, some of the engineers had built me a small command post, nothing but a hole in the ground with a raised parapet carefully camouflaged, but so arranged that I could sweep the whole front with my field glasses. Everything was ready for the jump-off. At 4.30 the barrage started, and off we went. As before, the enemy’s counter-barrage came down, but my men knew how to get by it, so there were very few casualties. Company D, aided by the smoke of the Stokes mortars, made short work of cleaning out the machine guns in the woods south of the bend in Booby’s Creek, with very little loss to itself. It was a small job when properly handled, because there were only four machine guns in the woods. It was really only a small outpost. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011Companies Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,B Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 TantorC Media, Inc. © 2011 followedTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorbarrage Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwith Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorvery Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorlittle Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor loss,Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor when the barrage halted for its 20 minutes on the north and south ridge through hill 442, Companies B and C in the creek bottom and Company D on hill 443 reformed and prepared for the farther advance. So far, everything had gone beautifully, and I sent a message back to Colonel R to the effect that we were right up with the barrage, had just crossed the creek, and would go forward in fine shape; few losses so far.

93 Nothing had gone wrong, but I could not help feeling that this artillery barrage had been wasted so far. Every one knew that there was no enemy of any importance east of the creek; yet this barrage had wasted thousands of rounds of ammunition before we had reached the enemy front line of resistance. I suppose that the man who drew those beautiful straight lines had started on the right some miles to the north where the enemy front line was north of hill 442, and had just drawn his beautiful straight line due north and south, and then made the others parallel to it. I began to feel an aversion for beautiful straight lines, and in fact for parallel lines of any kind and for barrage lines in particular. I knew that I would soon want all of that ammunition which had been thrown into the straight line spaces; and I could see no reason why the barrage should put just as much ammunition on an unoccupied field as it did on an enemy front line. I would have much preferred that at least 99 per cent of this ammunition had been thrown on the enemy’s lines which we were soon to tackle and which so far had not received a single shot. It appeared evident to me that I should move my command post to hill 443, as from that hill I could see the Red position some 1,000 yards to the west. Preferably, I would have placed my new command post on hill 442, but unfortunately it was included in these beautiful parallel barrage lines and I was barred from it for twenty minutes; so I had to go to hill 433 which was nearly as good. I told the signal corps man to put a telephone as quickly as possible on hill 443 for me. Then, after telling Lieutenant Swift to take charge of the command post until the new telephone was established, I took two of the signalmen with their flags and heliograph forward to hill 443. By quick running, I got there with some 5 minutes to spare before the barrage would start again. I saw Captain D on the hill top, his company © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,being Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.just © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor eastMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011of Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011the Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,ridge, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©where 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor theMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.enemy © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,could Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.not © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorsee Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,it. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,He Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011pointed Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor out to me the general line of the Red trenches and he showed positions where he supposed there were machine guns. This was rendered more probable because he had seen sudden spurts of dust followed by the rat- tat-tat of machine gun fire. Off to the south we could see the line of the neighboring Blues extending our line over hill 446 and beyond.

94 Off to the north we could not see any line of Blues, but heard firing off to the northeast in the direction of Four Points and Martin’s Mill. From this we judged that the Blues on our north had been unable to keep up with the barrage, and that after we captured the Red position we would have to swing north and drive them away from the front of the Blues on our right. This seemed easy, as the ridge from hill 462 sloped to the northeast. Once we had hill 462, all of the Reds to the northeast would have to retreat or surrender. Captain D also pointed out to me the lines of wire in front of the enemy main line of resistance and I felt especially glad that I had decided to use half of my engineers as wire cutters instead of leaving them behind to guard the artillery or to fool around with bridges. I was a little worried for fear that the tanks had not been able to get across the creek, but a glance to the north showed the noses of not less than eight tanks just in the edge of the woods on the west bank of the creek, so I felt sure that they were all across. The telephone man was coming up on the run, stringing his wire as he came, but he could not make it before the barrage started again. However, I felt that I had plenty of time; it would be at least 18 minutes before the barrage actually struck the Red line of trenches, and I could make all necessary dispositions in that time. I studied the situation carefully and decided that I had made every possible arrangement, except as follows: 1. The two accompanying guns should concentrate their fire on the woods 350 yards southeast of hill 462, as it was evident that there were many enemy machine guns in those woods. 2. The machine guns should come forward and concentrate their fire on these same woods. 3. The Stokes mortars should cover the Red position with smoke. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 20114. Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011On Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,our Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011right Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011the Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Reds Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,could Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011enfilade Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorus Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorfrom Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©top 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ridge© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor running northeast of hill 462. But this was out of my sector, and it was up to the man on my right. It so happened that he was not on my right (he was away behind), but it was not my fault if he had not kept up. He was responsible and he would suffer if anything went wrong. It took me practically no time to make my decisions on these points, and I hurried to telephone to Lieutenant Smith, so that he could personally

95 make all of the arrangements before he left the former command post. Luckily, I caught him just as he was leaving to join me, and told him to see the Stokes mortars and machine guns, and to have me connected with the accompanying guns. The results were not at all satisfactory. It took me some 15 minutes of telephoning to the accompanying guns and of sending messages back and forth by Lieutenant Swift to the machine guns and Stokes mortars before I finally got the matters fixed, and even then they were not fixed to my satisfaction. I shall consider them in order. 1. The commander of the accompanying guns said that he had accompanied me up to date by fire; that accompanying guns were not supposed to accompany by anything but fire; that he would lose too many trained artillerymen. I told him that was all right. He would continue to accompany me by fire, and that I wanted the fire on those woods 350 yards southeast of hill 462. This did not suit him at all. He said that he would have to put an observation post where the observer could see the woods and observe his registration shots. On being pinned down, I learned that he could get this rigged up properly, make his registration shots, and begin shooting in some 40 minutes. This would be after the position had been taken or lost, so I tried to get him on some other scheme. He said that the next best thing was for him to help by map firing, but that he would probably miss the target by some 100 yards. I told him then to map fire at hill 463, as my men were going to take hill 462, and if he missed the woods by 100 yards, I would prefer to have him try his hand on some point where I knew the enemy was and where I knew my men would not be for some 30 minutes. He was to stop his map firing at exactly the time, and that I would telephone him. 2. Lieutenant Swift ran over to see the machine gun commander, and told him I wanted him to move forward to hill 443 and help in the attack. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,To Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.his © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorsurprise, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Lieutenant Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. Swift© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorwas Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©told 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,by Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorcaptain Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthe Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,machine Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor gun company that he had orders not to move forward; that his orders were to fire a barrage and then answer all calls for help, that he had been instructed time and again by his machine gun battalion commander.4 There was considerable argument on the part of Lieutenant Swift, but no results, so he returned and telephoned me. I did not waste time on the

4 An actual occurrence in the battle of Meuse-Argonne.

96 argument, but told Lieutenant Swift to tell him to answer my call for help, that I called for help by machine gun fire on the woods 350 yards southeast of hill 462. This message was taken over by Lieutenant Swift, but the result was again unsatisfactory. It appeared that hill 162 was just beyond the effective range of machine guns, and that the accuracy could not be trusted, consequently I decided to tell him not to fire. 3. With the Stokes mortars, Lieutenant Swift ran up against a very different kind of difficulty. He asked for smoke. The lieutenant in charge told him that all of the smoke shells had been expended in the work against the wood south of the bend to help Company D. He made a calculation, thus: 80 smoke shells per gun; each shell some 20 sq. yards; 2 guns; 2x20x80=3,200 sq. yards, which was a little more than the area covered, but he had thrown in some extra ones in order to surely make the smoke effective. I had to acknowledge that it was effective, but I needed smoke again. However, there was no smoke. Therefore, I called for just plain explosive on the woods 350 yards southeast of hill 462. The Stokes mortar man expressed great regrets to Lieutenant Swift, but he scaled off the distance on the map and showed it was some 2,800 yards, whereas the extreme effective range of Stokes mortars is only 1,800 yards so we could not get the explosive shell. However the Stokes mortar man showed a great willingness and anxiety to help. He started at once to move his mortars forward, and told Lieutenant swift to assure me that in half an hour he would have his Stokes mortars in the creek just southeast of hill 443 and would then shell the woods in question. This was much too late, as the barrage was even now approaching the woods, and in a few minutes the battle would be lost or won. I was powerless to assist my advancing line. The assisting artillery, machine guns and mortars were useless. But I could at least tell Colonel R the situation. So, I telephoned him about the machine guns and © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,accompanying Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorguns. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,He Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. was© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,very Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,angry Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©and 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,sent Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantora Media, Inc. © 2011preemptory Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,message Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor to the machine gun commander to do at once anything ordered, but it was too late to save the situation. As usual, the poor infantryman was left alone, with a few engineers and tanks, and had to fight it out. I could do nothing more except pray for the effectiveness of the barrage, with its beautiful parallel lines.

97 Meanwhile, my line of men and tanks had crossed hill 442 and its north and south ridge, followed the barrage down its slope, and were now beginning to ascend the other side. To my surprise, the barrage was not as effective as I had been led to expect. It was evidently encouraging to the men; but it certainly did not entirely stop the fire of the Reds. By this, I mean not only the fire of the Red artillery some distance to the rear (which the barrage was not expected to touch) but also the fire of the Red machine guns in the Red line (which the barrage was expected to stop). As I looked at my line, I saw that three of the tanks had been hit and stopped; the rest had crossed the bottom of the ravine and were ascending the slope, with my men abreast of them, a perfect target, but at least alongside of the tanks and ready to prevent them being blown up by special Red detachments. Every few seconds I would see a shell miss a tank and blow up some 8 or 10 men who were alongside. It was deadly. Every shell that missed the tanks, hit the men alongside. But the shells were the least cause of the carnage. The Red machine guns in the Red concrete turrets (pill boxes) in front of us seemed to have no fear of a barrage at all. From my position I could see the exact seep of a machine gun, as man after man fell in order from right to left. First, the gun would sweep from north to south, and the men would fall from south to north. It took about four sweeps to practically extinguish a line. Then the machine gun would switch to the interval between the next two tanks and again execute its sweeping. Still, we were holding our own on the whole front, or at least we were following the barrage on our whole front, and on the right the machine guns seemed to be less effective. I had hopes that we would at least capture hill 462 and hold it until relief came. Lieutenant Swift rushed up to me with the information that the operator at our former © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,command Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,post Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,said Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,that Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 20112nd Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © battalion2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,was Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,coming Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.forward © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorat Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantora Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor double time. I felt that at least I would not have failed, if my right captured hill 462, and even then the wire cutters were in front of it cutting the wires. I saw the brave line of following men go forward and lie down while the wire was being cut. Many of the cutters were hit and could not go forward. Suddenly, the line rose again, what was left of it, and started forward through the wire. I felt that hill 462 was surely won,

98 and I was thankful that at least we had broken the Red line in one place and they would have to retire. However, I was a little in error, some 50 yards in fact. For, just as my men began to run through the cut wire, Red machine guns opened up on them from the ridge to the northeast of hill 462 (from the sector of the Blues on my right), and my men just ceased to exist. Some few threw up their hands, and walked forward as prisoners. The remainder fell, to rise no more. I turned to telephone the result to Colonel R. I felt proud of my men, and I felt that I had made very few mistakes. I rang and rang and rang the bell, but could get no reply. The line was out. As a little touch of irony, I noticed that the two accompanying guns were firing on hill 463, with orders to continue firing until I told them to stop. The telephone wire was broken, and I could not tell them to stop. I did not care. I hoped they would continue to fire until doomsday. I smiled at this, the final touch — and woke up. By this time, my subconscious mind seemed to have about worked out a solution. The last effort on its part had been a good one, and I felt that I had at least made a good fight, but lost. I had learned some more things:

LESSONS

21. Know something about the ranges and ammunition of the Stokes mortars. If you want an extra amount of smoke, arrange for an extra quantity of smoke shells. 22. Make your accompanying guns really accompany. This does not mean that they shall follow your tracks like a dog, but it does mean that they shall always have with the forward element an observer connected with the guns, who shall direct their fire always and quickly just where © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,you Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantortell Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,them. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011In Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011some Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorcases Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011guns Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011themselves Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor shouldMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 beTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoron Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © front2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor line, no matter how great their losses in trained artillerymen. 23. Tanks should precede the infantry firing line, and demolish the machine gun nests. The tanks should protect the infantry against machine guns. It is not the duty of infantry to protect tanks against some prowling enemy with a few dynamite cartridges.

99 24. Machine guns, Stokes mortars, accompanying guns, etc., should all be directly under the command of the commanding officer. If not, he should have nothing to do with them except to learn what they may do. He should not expect them to do more than one thing; after that is done, he will have to win the battle, possibly with their help; but he should plan to win without such help, as it is rarely forthcoming. 25. Connecting groups shall fill the space between two adjacent units. These groups are preferable sent out by the higher commanders, but if they do not do so, the commander of the assaulting groups will send out some of his own. It is an excuse to be able to say that the higher commanders did not send out the connecting groups; but saying so does not prevent enfilade on the enemy’s part and does not bring the dead to life. 26. A small amount of artillery barrage will keep up the courage of the attacking line. Beyond that, shells are wasted which have no definite aim. A perfect attack would consist of a light barrage which the troops would follow, accompanied by strong concentrations against points which area known or properly believed to be held by the enemy. The line of greatest concentration would be just the reverse of parallel and straight. It would resemble a corkscrew. The probable strong positions of the enemy should be selected beforehand and the artillery should be concentrated on these places just before the barrage (or infantry line) reaches them. 27. The assault commander should have as many guns directly under his command as he can possibly use. He should not be allowed to control the stopping or starting of the barrage, but he should be able to control at least in part the corkscrew line of greatest concentration of guns. In some cases, the barrage line may be omitted altogether. 28. In spite of all barrages and concentrations of artillery fire, the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,enemy Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantormachine Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,guns Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,sheltered Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 byTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorconcrete Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,turrets Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor(pill Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.-boxes) © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.will © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,not Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©be 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor at all affected unless directly hit. In the final analysis, the tank must smash them of the infantryman must take them.

100 An Approved Solution

AT 6 p.m. I was at the meeting of field and staff officers at Colonel R’s headquarters. This time I decided to study the proposition while at his headquarters and not wait until I returned to my farmhouse. Colonel R was very anxious to assist all of us, and he told me that he would explain anything that did not seem perfectly clear to me. I promptly saw that my battalion was going to have the hardest nut to crack. In fact, it was to follow the barrage to its stopping point—the bluffs of hill 462 hill 463—and then what was left of my battalion would naturally be expected to exploit the success or just hold its own, depending upon whether it was in any kind of shape or only just be able to hold on. With all due respect to Colonel R, I decided that I would see that nothing had been forgotten and that nothing could be improved by any suggestion of mine. I had always made it a rule to see that my senior officer understood perfectly my own information or conclusions as regards anything about which I had any dealings with him; then, no matter what he decided, I would do my utmost to carry it to a successful conclusion. On several occasions I had met with commanders who, either through ignorance or a lack of understanding of the best method of getting results, would not listen to a suggestion and who always acted as if any suggestion was a criticism of their intelligence. With such commanders, it is a mistake to be associated, and I had always managed to sever my connection with them and their operations in a very short time. As a result I now enjoyed a reputation of being an officer who said what he thought, but who always got results. In this case, I hoped to maintain this reputation of getting results, and I felt that I stood an excellent chance, because Colonel R was an unusual Regimental © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,commander Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorin Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthat Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.he © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011was Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, patientInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011intelligent Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 andTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.very © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,anxious Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.to © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.do © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor everything possible to assist his subordinates to obtain the desired results. First, I invited his attention to the beautiful system of parallel barrage lines. It did not suit me, as I felt that most of the ammunition would be wasted in unoccupied fields, but Colonel R said that this was an established system which had survived many criticisms, that it

101 encouraged the men who followed it; that he wished to concentrate more fore on special places and get it changed, but had been unable to do so. However, he called my attention to the two accompanying guns, said that I could see that their fire was concentrated on any point that I wished. I told him that the concentrated fire of two accompanying guns would not be very effective, and asked him to get me more. He telephoned to the brigade headquarters, and after a little time, word was received that we could have two more accompanying guns, a total of four. This helped a great deal. Then I asked Colonel R exactly what were the orders of the machine gun company which was to assist me. He said that it was to assist me, and that he considered that it was a matter entirely in my hands. I agreed with him that it should be entirely in my hands, but I mentioned a few cases in various battles in Europe where the commander of the assisting machine guns was of the opinion, and was so ordered by his machine gun commander, that he was to assist in his own manner and not in my manner. So we called in the machine gun battalion commander and he was given orders to have his machine gun company placed entirely at my disposal, to be used in any manner I saw fit, much to the chagrin of the machine gun battalion commander. More tanks were needed, and I tried to get them. Colonel R said that he had no more to give me, and I could not make him see it differently. When it came to light mortars, I wanted them all, and I soon convinced Colonel R that I could use them better than anyone else. However, he was loath to let them go entirely out of his hands. So it was finally arranged that I should have two sections entirely at my own disposal, and that the third section would fire smoke into the woods south of the bend in Booby’s Creek, but would pass back to Colonel R’s direct command as soon as I advanced beyond those woods. I asked for © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorreceived Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. double© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorusual Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.amount © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © of2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 smokeTantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011shell, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor asMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,one Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorof Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,my Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor lessons had taught me that they are very necessary in an open assault. Also, I managed to secure a Pioneer platoon of the headquarters company, to act as wire cutters. I tried to get some non-persistent gas for the woods south of the bend, but Colonel R said that the regiment had no gas troops whatever at its disposal. As a result of these final changes in orders I now had at my disposal:

102 1 signal detachment 1 company of engineers 4 artillery accompanying guns 2 light mortar sections (third section temporarily) 1 machine gun company 2 platoons tanks

Remembering now that enfilading was very possible from either of my flanks, if I got ahead of the troops on either flank, I asked Colonel R what provisions had been made for connecting groups. He said that no provisions had been made; that the brigade commander thought this could be mutually arranged between the battalion commanders on the field. I called Colonel R’s attention to the fact that the battalion on our right was commanded by old Major Grouch, and that no one had ever made any mutual arrangement with him; that he did not understand any such thing as mutual arrangements; that the only thing he understood was a clear and direct order. Seeing that Colonel R was not averse to listening to me, I spread myself on this point. I told him that this business of mutual arrangement on the field had never worked; that it was only a dodge employed by a senior commander to avoid unnecessary detail or to pass on to the men in the field a problem with which the commander felt himself unable to cope, owing to natural inability or to lack of information, and in neither case was he doing his full duty. Colonel R finally agreed to take up the matter again with the brigade commander, and promised me that if the brigade commander would not issue the necessary order for the connecting groups, he would himself provide the connecting groups from his two remaining battalions in order to be sure that my line was not enfiladed. Everything being arranged as well as I could expect, I left Colonel R with his final admonition ringing in my © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,ears: Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,“Keep Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011connected Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011with Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © the2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorheadquarters, Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011send Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011me Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorreports.” Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor On my return to my farmhouse I sent for all of the captains and for the commanders of the special troops to meet me at 10.00 p.m. Meanwhile, as Lieutenant Bright said that the information of the enemy was not very definite, I ordered special patrols sent out along the front, each patrol being ordered to go in a general westwardly direction until it encountered the Reds. Two special patrols were sent to find out if the

103 Reds were occupying the woods in the bend south of the creek, and if so with what arms and in what strength. The reports came back as in the previous solution, being definite and clear, to the effect that Red sentinels were all along the west bank of Booby’s Creek, either as outposts or hiding in an intrenched line; that the Red machine guns were occupying the south bank of the bend in Booby’s Creek. At 10.00 p.m. the officers were assembled, and I gave my orders somewhat as in the Fifth Solution, with some changes especially as to light mortars, accompanying guns, and machine guns. This time I did not ask them what pleased them, but assigned them to duties in accordance with my own ideas. I give below the orders in a general way, so that the complete plan will be evident: (a) The signal detachment was ordered to connect me with the accompanying guns and also with Colonel R’s headquarters. As in Fifth Solution, I decided to stay with the signal detachment, making my headquarters with it, or rather making it a part of my headquarters. If I left the headquarters I would leave Lieutenant Swift (my adjutant) and half of the orderlies with it, and would take with me several of the members so I could wig-wag back messages to any one, which messages to any one, which messages would be delivered by telephone or by orderly with the least possible delay. (b) Two platoons of engineers were detailed to accompany the tanks and help them across the creek by improvised logs of fascines. Two other platoons were detailed to assist the infantry front lines as wire cutters, supplementing the wire cutters of the pioneer platoon. (c) The four accompanying guns have placed their position in the ravine as before, but this time they were ordered to fire on fixed targets; and I gave them the targets, viz., the woods south of the bend along with the barrage until it made its twenty-minute stop; thereafter, the woods © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,350 Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantoryards Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©southeast 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.of © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011hill Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.462 © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,until Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.I © 2011 Tantor Media,gave Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.orders © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,to Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.the © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,contrary. Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Always the accompanying guns would have an agent with me to send them word in case I wanted these targets changed at any time. (d) One of the light mortar sections was given exactly the same orders as in the last solution, viz., to take position in the cut just southeast of road crossing 420, and to blanket with smoke the machine guns in the woods south of the bend. The two remaining sections were

104 told to remain east of hill 441 until the woods south of the bend had been cleared, or at least partially cleared, and until the Blues on our left had advanced enough to render their movement fairly safe; then they were to move forward as fast as reasonable safety permitted to a position in the woods southeast of hill 443 and prepare to fire on the ridge 1200 yards to the west with smoke or high explosive as I should order. The first section, when its work of firing on the woods had been completed with success, would remain in its position subject to the direct order of Colonel R. (e) The machine guns were told to take position on hill 441 as before, but they were told to send half of their guns forward at the same time and in the same degree of safety as the light mortars, the rest of the guns to come forward similarly through the woods as soon as the barrage has stopped for its twenty-minute play on hill 442 and its corresponding ridge. (f) The tanks were told to keep some fifty yards ahead of the infantry, which actually meant that the nose of each tank would be in the back of our barrage and would receive shell splinters. This would do no damage and was to be expected. The tanks were specially instructed to watch out for machine gun nests and concrete turrets (pill boxes), and their special duty was to sit upon these at the first opportunity and mash them out of existence. In other words, the tanks were to help the infantry, and not serve to draw the enemy fire to themselves and the infantry. (g) The pioneer platoon was detailed as wire cutters to go along with the infantry. These, added to the engineer wire cutters, made me now have about one squad of wire cutters to each platoon of infantry. I then gave Captains B and C orders to cover all of the front from the right to the bend in the creek where Company D would be, and that this would be covered with skirmishers at any interval they found necessary. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,Company Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,D Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,was Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorgiven Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011orders Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.to © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. clear© 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011out Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011machine Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,guns Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,in Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,the Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor woods south of the bend in the creek. Company C was the battalion reserve. Every one was encouraged to ask questions, and the whole plan was gone over time and again until each understood the part he was to perform and the part that the other was to perform to assist him. I told Captain B that Colonel R would have a connecting group on our right,

105 and I told captain D that he would likewise find that Colonel R had a connecting group on our left. I called the special attention of all to the fact that we would follow the barrage to the bluff, hill 462—hill 463, where the barrage would cease; but that we would take the hill; and then exploit our success in the best possible manner. It was now about 11.45 p.m. and, as all seemed to thoroughly understand the plan, they were dismissed. At 3.30 a.m. the signal corps man woke us up, and we went to our new command post on hill 441, where the signal detachment had installed a telephone during the night, and where the pioneer platoon had built me a regular command post according to the book, with a lookout thoroughly camouflaged and splinter proof. I took my position and waited anxiously for 4.30 a.m. to come and for the fight to begin. Even the slowest time eventually passes, so finally 4.30 a.m. came and with it our barrage. I shall not go into detail as to how every little matter was attended to by my men, but suffice it to say that Company D very quickly cleaned up the woods south of the bend in the creek, capturing the four enemy machine guns with practically no loss. Companies B and C followed the barrage closely, Company D fell in on the left, and all arrived on time at the creek bottom and my line lay in position along the creek bottom and east face of hill 443, while the artillery played its rain of lead for twenty minutes on hill 442 and the ridge to the south, where there were no Reds. At the earliest possible moment I moved to hill 443, taking with me some signal corps men with wig-wag and helio, leaving Lieutenant Swift to hold the old command post until the telephone man could connect me up with a telephone on hill 443. This he at once started out to do, but had not quite arrived when the twenty minutes was up, and the artillery barrage again started on its tour of the country. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011My Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.line © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,quickly Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,rose Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,and Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorfollowed Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011the Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,barrage Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.and © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,encountered Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantora Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor perfect storm of lead as soon as it crossed hill 442 and ridge to the south of it. However, in a very few minutes, and just as I had ordered, the four light mortars put smoke all along the ridge to the west in a thoroughly business–like manner and the Red shooting became very inaccurate. It is true that the smoke screen was never entirely effective, because the wind was continually blowing it away, but it was very useful. The tanks

106 waddled forward and disappeared into the smoke and soon my men were swallowed up in it. The wind was unfortunately blowing a little in our direction, and it was impossible to keep their location covered with smoke; but the light mortars kept at it and managed to keep the front slope of the Red position covered by smoke so that only the top of the bluff was visible through it. I now issued orders to the accompanying guns to switch to hill 463, as I could not be sure how far my men had advanced in the smoke and just when they would come forward into our own fire. The machine guns were also brought up out of the woods near the light mortars and told to concentrate direct fire on hill 463. The light mortars were told to raise their fire so as to clear bluff hill 462-hill 463, and fire upon its reverse slope, but this time they were to use high explosive, as I wished to prevent any Reds coming up to counter-attack my men when they took the position. Off to the south I noticed that the neighboring Blues were well up and were following the barrage closely; therefore I felt safe for that flank. Off to the north it was not so favorable. Major Grouch’s men could not be seen, but I noticed shells bursting near Four Points and Martin’s Mill; so I judged that he has lost the barrage and would not catch up. Therefore I saw that my right was subject to enfilade as soon as the smoke cleared. I looked in vain for the connecting group, but I did not really expect to see it, as it was necessarily small. Just then the telephone rang, and Lieutenant Swift reported from my old command post that a message had been received from the connecting group that it was at the ravine junction of Booby’s Creek 425 yards west of hill 407, that it had uncovered several Red machine guns on the ridge running northeast from hill 462, and that it could go no farther. I saw that, while I was really winning, my right was in a rather precarious situation, and it © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,might Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. ©at 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.any © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor momeMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.nt © 2011 Tantor Media, beInc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.enfiladed © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,by Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,machine Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011guns, Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorall Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,due Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011to Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011the Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorfailure Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor of Major Grouch to do his part. However, there was no help for it and I must travel alone. I promptly ordered Company A, which was now in reverse in the creek bottom to go straight over the ridge to the northwest, cross the ravine and capture and hold the ridge extending northeast from hill 462. This was my last reserve, and if the enemy counter-attacked in force I was helpless and ruined. However, I felt that there was nothing

107 else to do; the reserve is for use, not for treasure. Even so, I decided that Colonel R should now send forward the 2nd battalion, so I telephoned him, explaining the situation, and stating that I had no reserve left, and requesting that he send forward the 2nd battalion at once. He replied that the 2nd battalion was already on its way and was even now at road crossing 420; and that he would send its major orders to report to me. With a great sigh of relief I turned to the front, thoroughly satisfied that I would now win the ridge. As I looked, I saw the barrage emerge from the smoke atop hills 462 and 463, and start over to the far side. Here it again held its position, this time for some thirty minutes. I suddenly remembered Colonel R’s order said that it would hold its final position for thirty minutes; and I saw all of my light mortar high explosive had been more or less wasted. However, it did no harm and possible may have driven back some reserves who might have reached the hilltops before our barrage reached its final objective. In less than two minutes afterward I saw the tanks slowly waddling out of the smoke, breaking through the wire and roving up and down the Red trenches. Next I saw my infantry line stop and lie down in front of the wire, except where a few men followed through after the tanks; the wire cutters started their work and many of them did not finish. Then the line rose, charged through the wire and fell upon the Red position. It was captured. I ordered the machine guns and accompanying guns to stop firing, and turned to telephone Colonel R that we had won the Red position. However, I was a little premature in my announcement. Just at this moment Red machine guns over in Major Grouch’s sector opened up on my line and enfiladed it with deadly effect. My men promptly lay down, and many of them began to run back to the cover of the smoke. The rat-tat-tat of the Red machine guns continued without intermission and I saw that I could not hold the line © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,even Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,after Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,its Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.capture © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.unless © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorthose Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,machine Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011guns Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011were Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantorstopped. Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,I Inc. © 2011 Tantorloo Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor kedMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor anxiously to the north, but the bursting shells at Four Points showed that Major Grouch’s men were still fighting at that place, 1000 yards away from where they should have been in order to help us properly. I pinned my faith then on Company A, and I was not disappointed. In less than one minute after the machine guns opened, I heard wild yells from that

108 direction and some rifle shots; and then the Red machine guns stopped firing. Company A had taken the ridge and the machine guns. The exploitation of our victory was a matter not so easily decided. I saw the 2nd battalion coming on over the ridge from which I had started. I did not know what to do; whether to have it swing to our right in order to clear up the Red line, or whether to have it follow directly west after the fleeing Reds. I seized the telephone and asked for Colonel R himself. He decided for me, with a broader vision than I had. He decided for the greatest results, with no idea of personal glory for himself or his regiment. His orders were for the 2nd battalion to swing to the north and drive out the Reds who were holding back Major Grouch’s battalion. From our present line we were close enough to the mountain passes immediately to our west to block them by artillery fire, but farther north it was necessary that our forces win a more complete victory and drive the Reds back much farther in order that our line to the north might be approximately the same distance from the mountain passes as my own troops now were. Also, in that direction lay Emmitsburg, a great depot of Red supplies. So, when the 2nd battalion arrived, I told it to roll up the Reds to the north of us, and to proceed more or less independently of my men, but that I would help if they so desired. The major promptly made his dispositions and started on his way. Very soon the firing in Four Points ceased, and I knew that our 2nd battalion had been successful. In fact, I later learned that it had captured many prisoners and covered itself with distinction. I went forward to hill 463 and looked over the situation. It was evident that my battalion could go no farther. I gave orders for each company to send forward one platoon 1,000 yards and establish an outpost; meanwhile the rest of each company was to be reorganized and to prepare the position for defence against counter-attack. My losses had © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,been Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,very Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,heavy; Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,some Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.65 © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011per Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,cent Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,of Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,my Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011battalion Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc.had © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor beenMedia, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media,killed Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011or Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor Media, Inc. © 2011 Tantor wounded. All were tired and worn with the stress of battle. But each man walked proudly, with an air which said for itself that the owner of his haughty air has been in “The Battle of Booby’s Bluffs.”

The End

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