# VII: Fascination of Patrol Work explained — A Yankee in the Trenches

> Chapter companion for A Yankee in the Trenches by Robert Derby Holmes.

## What happens

The narrator reflects on his fascination with patrol work in No Man's Land, describing the tactics, dangers, and the unwritten rules of engagement. He recounts a harrowing incident where a Canadian sergeant was captured and crucified by the Germans, leading to an unauthorized charge by his comrades to recover his body. The chapter also includes a narrow escape from a mine explosion during a ration party.

## Themes in this chapter

### Horrors and Absurdity of War

The crucifixion of the Canadian sergeant and the subsequent charge highlight the extreme brutality and irrationality of war.

### Comradeship and Camaraderie

The Canadians' immediate and unauthorized charge to recover their comrade's body demonstrates deep bonds of loyalty.

### Survival and Daily Life

The narrator's patrol routines and the ration party illustrate the mundane yet perilous aspects of daily existence at the front.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Describes his fascination with patrol work and recounts personal experiences.

### Captain Green

Orders the narrator to keep silent about the crucifixion incident.

### Wellsie

Cheerfully sends the narrator on a ration party, unaware of the danger.

### Garn

Mentioned in dialogue by Wellsie.

### Blighty

Referenced as the source of cigarettes in Wellsie's comment.

## Key lines

> most unwholesome for a British patrol to be captured.

Being captured by the enemy is extremely dangerous for a British patrol.

_Sets up the story of the crucified sergeant._

> They had crucified him and held him up above the parapet.

The Germans had nailed the sergeant to a cross and displayed him above their trench.

_Describes the atrocity that provoked the Canadian charge._

> Nothing in this world could have stopped them.

The Canadians were unstoppable in their determination to retrieve their comrade.

_Emphasizes the power of camaraderie and rage._

> If ye clicks, I'll draw yer fags from Blighty and say a prayer for yer soul.

If you get killed, I'll collect your cigarettes from home and pray for you.

_Wellsie's dark humor about the narrator's dangerous ration duty._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/chapters/vii-fascination-of-patrol-work
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_yankee_in_the_trenches_se/chapters