# II: The Raid explained — Memoirs of an Infantry Officer

> Chapter companion for Memoirs of an Infantry Officer by Siegfried Sassoon.

## What happens

Sherston returns from the Army School at Flixécourt to find the Battalion preparing for a raid on the German lines. He learns that Barton is hoping for a D.S.O. and that Mansfield is to lead the raiding party. Sherston, eager for a Military Cross, considers asking Kinjack to let him join the raid, despite the dangers. He discusses the raid with the Quartermaster, who is pessimistic about its prospects. The chapter captures Sherston's mix of excitement and fear, his identification with the raid as a personal challenge, and the mundane details of trench life.

## Themes in this chapter

### War as Futile Attrition

The raid is seen as a dangerous and possibly pointless endeavor, with the Quartermaster noting that the Brigade has nothing to lose except a few men.

### Psychological Strain and Survival

Sherston's internal conflict between ambition and fear, and the anxiety of the raid, highlight the mental toll of war.

### Heroism and Cowardice

Sherston's desire for a Military Cross and his identification with the raid as a personal test of courage.

## Character check-ins

### David Cromlech

Narrator, returns from Army School, eager to participate in the raid.

### Barton

Company commander, hoping for a D.S.O. from the raid.

### Birdie Mansfield

Selected to lead the raiding party, expresses gloomy humor.

### Durley

Muttering in his sleep, a fellow officer.

### Young Ormand

Present at mess, comments on Barton's ambitions.

### Colonel Kinjack

Battalion commander, not keen on the raid, speaks straight to Brigade.

### The Quartermaster

Joe, pessimistic about the raid, advises Sherston to keep quiet about volunteering.

### Fewnings

New officer, a schoolmaster in private life.

## Key lines

> My feeling was much the same as it would have been if I had owned a horse and then been told that someone else was to ride it in a race.

Sherston feels possessive about the raid, as if it were his personal opportunity, and is upset that someone else might lead it.

_Highlights his personal ambition and sense of ownership._

> It's always the good lads who volunteer for these shows.

The Quartermaster observes that the best men are the ones who volunteer for dangerous raids.

_Reflects the tragic waste of good soldiers in futile operations._

> I was now full of information about the Raid, and I could think of nothing else.

Sherston is completely preoccupied with the upcoming raid.

_Shows his obsessive focus on the event._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/ii-the-raid
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters