The General

Poetry Index » By: Siegfried Sassoon (1918)

“Good-morning; good-morning!” the General said
When we met him last week on our way to the line.
Now the soldiers he smiled at are most of ’em dead,
And we’re cursing his staff for incompetent swine.
“He’s a cheery old card,” grunted Harry to Jack 5
As they slogged up to Arras^[1] with rifle and pack.

But he did for them both by his plan of attack.

Notes and Commentary

↑ A French city on the front. During the Battle of Arras, a British offensive, over 200,000 lives were lost in a battle that ended in a stalemate.

Works Cited

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[1] A French city on the front. During the Battle of Arras, a British offensive, over 200,000 lives were lost in a battle that ended in a stalemate.

[1]