# II explained — Memoirs of an Infantry Officer > Chapter companion for Memoirs of an Infantry Officer by Siegfried Sassoon. ## What happens The narrator describes his time at an Army School in France, where he practices bayonet-fighting and participates in training exercises. He reflects on the pleasant routine, the impressive horse parade, and his friendship with young Allgood, a gentle soul unsuited to war. The chapter ends with a demonstration for generals, including the explosion of mines, and Allgood's premonition of his own death. ## Themes in this chapter ### Psychological Strain and Survival The narrator's casual attitude toward bayonet-fighting and the war contrasts with Allgood's veiled melancholy, hinting at the psychological toll beneath the surface. ### Soldier Comradeship and Civilian Alienation The bond between the narrator and Allgood, both from the same public school, highlights the camaraderie among soldiers, while the generals' distant inspection underscores the separation between frontline soldiers and higher command. ## Character check-ins ### Young Allgood A quiet, thoughtful friend at the Army School, fond of birds and history, with a veiled melancholy suggesting he foresees his death. ### Dottrell Quartermaster who writes to the narrator, reporting that things are quiet at the front and that he is enjoying the kippers and cream sent by Aunt Evelyn. ### Aunt Evelyn Sends the narrator a box of kippers twice a month, which Dottrell is consuming on his behalf. ## Key lines > It was all in the day’s work; short points, long points, parries, jabs, plus the always to be remembered importance of “a quick withdrawal.” Bayonet practice was routine, with emphasis on quick withdrawal after each thrust. _The narrator describes the mechanical nature of bayonet training._ > I was like a boy going to early school, except that no bell was ringing, and instead of Thucydides or Virgil, I carried a gun. He felt like a schoolboy heading to class, but with a rifle instead of classical texts. _The narrator compares his training to a boy's school routine, highlighting the surreal nature of war._ > He said he’d always wanted to go to Germany, and there seemed nothing incongruous in the remark; for the moment I forgot that every German we killed was a point scored to our side. Allgood mentioned his desire to visit Germany, and the narrator momentarily forgot the enemy was the Germans. _The innocence of Allgood's wish contrasts with the reality of war._ > But there was an expression of veiled melancholy on his face, as if he were inwardly warned that he would never see his home in Wiltshire again. Allgood's face showed a hidden sadness, as if he sensed he would not return home. _The narrator notes Allgood's premonition of death._ > Allgood said that he thought the French Generals looked much brainier than the British ones; but I told him that they must be cleverer than they looked, and anyhow they’d all got plenty of medal-ribbons. Allgood thought the French generals appeared more intelligent, but the narrator joked that they must be smarter than they look, given their many medals. _A lighthearted exchange about the generals' appearance and decorations._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_an_infantry_officer_se/chapters/ii - 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