Mark Severn

This lightly written and amusing work is an excellent introduction to the little-known work of the heavy artillery on the western front, by a junior subaltern-turned battery commander. Dealing by turns with coastal defence, training, staff duties and finally command of a battery at Arras, Third Ypres and Cambrai, as well as during the Allied Hundred Days' Offensive. The experience of the great retreat after the Battle of St Quentin are not neglected (although the narrator was injured early on) , being covered by lively accounts of the doings of his battery and, by the adjutant, of the Brigade in the retreat. The author's keen eye for the ridiculous and nice turn of phrase makes this a pleasure to read.… (meer)