Now It Can Be Told · Chapter
Part III: The Nature of a Battle explained
This chapter provides a visceral, on-the-ground account of the Battle of Loos, focusing on the chaos, heroism, and horror experienced by soldiers and observers.
What happens
This chapter provides a visceral, on-the-ground account of the Battle of Loos, focusing on the chaos, heroism, and horror experienced by soldiers and observers. It describes the use of poison gas, the heavy casualties, the psychological toll on prisoners and wounded men, and the disconnect between high command's perspective and the brutal reality faced by troops.
Themes in this chapter
Futility of War
The chapter emphasizes the senseless slaughter and lack of meaningful gain, with descriptions of 'bloody shambles' and the contrast between high command's perspective and the reality of death.
Psychological Trauma
The psychological impact is evident in the weeping German prisoner, the 'bad remembrance' in some soldiers' eyes, and the blind and mutilated wounded men facing a life of darkness.
Propaganda and Deception
The chapter highlights the disconnect between official reports (e.g., Sir John French's account) and the brutal truth on the ground, where 'holding attacks' served strategic purposes but resulted in a 'bloody shambles.'
Loss of Innocence
The transformation of young, smart soldiers into battle-hardened, blood-splattered men, and the sight of a 'splendid boy' reduced to a 'living trunk,' underscores the loss of innocence.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator observes the battle from slag heaps, walks with John Buchan, and visits prisoners and wounded men, providing a firsthand account of the carnage.
- The Scots Guards
The Guards are reported fighting around Fosse 8, and later are kicked off the position, illustrating the intense back-and-forth of the battle.
- The Gordons
Young Scots of the Black Watch, Camerons, and Gordons are described as hard, lean, and clear-eyed, carrying souvenirs and telling tales of their exploits.
- The British
British troops, including Londoners, Scots, Guards, Yorkshires, and Leinsters, are seen moving in dense masses, covered in chalk and blood, trudging toward the fighting lines.
- The Germans
German prisoners are described as a mass of slate-gray men lying on wet earth, some weeping and conscience-stricken, others having surrendered from deep dugouts.
- Sir John French
- The Highlanders
The 15th (Scottish) Division, including Highlanders, is noted for proving its quality, with lightly wounded Jocks in exalted spirits.
Key passages
“Like an ant on the edge of a volcano I sat among the slag heaps with gunner observers, who were listening at telephones dumped down in the fields and connected with artillery brigades and field batteries.”
The narrator felt insignificant as he observed the battle from slag heaps alongside artillery observers who used field telephones to coordinate with batteries.
This simile emphasizes the narrator's smallness and helplessness amid the overwhelming scale of the battle.
“From behind the mist came the news of life and death, revealing things which no onlooker could see.”
The mist obscured the battlefield, but reports from telephones conveyed the grim realities of casualties and counterattacks.
Highlights the limited visibility and reliance on indirect communication to understand the battle's progress.
“The point of view depends on the angle of vision.”
Perspective on the battle's success or failure varies between generals and the soldiers who suffer.
This line encapsulates the theme of differing perspectives between command and frontline troops.
