XXIX TO STRAIGHTEN THE LINE 186

XXX THE JAWS OF DEATH 193

XXXI THE FIELD HOSPITAL 204

XXXII OPERATION 213

XXXIII ST. NAZAIRE 219

XXXIV SOMEWHERE IN MAYFAIR 221




CHAPTER I

LEAVING ENGLAND


No cheers, no handkerchiefs, no bands. Nothing that even suggested the
time-honoured scene of soldiers leaving home to fight the Empire's
battles. Parade was at midnight. Except for the lighted windows of the
barracks, and the rush of hurrying feet, all was dark and quiet. It was
more like ordinary night operations than the dramatic departure of a
Unit of the First British Expeditionary Force to France.

As the Battalion swung into the road, the Subaltern could not help
thinking that this was indeed a queer send-off. A few sergeants' wives,
standing at the corner of the Parade ground, were saying good-bye to