Over The Top
The next day is sunny and cool.
Again, you follow the daily routine of trench warfare: ‘Stand-to’ before dawn, “Stand-down” an hour later, a quick shave, breakfast, inspection and an entire day of standing along the firesteps, waiting for an anticipated German attack. Finally, by late afternoon, most of the men are dismissed and allowed to return to their dugouts. A few moments later, Lieutenant Jarvis finds you, this time looking nervous and tense.
– “Men,” he begins, “a critical situation has arisen. After yesterday’s heavy bombardment, we expected the Germans to launch an attack sometime today. The fact that they haven’t done so is a little disturbing. HQ would like to know what the Germans are up to. That is why I’m asking for volunteers to go on a trench raid tonight to bring back any information that might be helpful to us. I’ll need three of you.”
You have heard many stories of trench raids and of the men who have taken part in them. With the unusually high casualties that such raids entail, you are loathe to seem too eager for the assignment.
– “What do I get if I volunteer?” you ask.
– “Two weeks rest and maybe a decoration…if you bring back something useful” replies Lieutenant Jarvis.
Two weeks rest! A billet in Arras or Armentières with a friendly French family would surely mean some decent food and a real bed to sleep in. The thought of getting away from the trenches is quite appealing. So much so that your friend George raises his hand and offers to go on the raid. Sergeant Wilkes also volunteers to go and, looking your way, says, “C’mon, lad. If I’m gonna go over the top, I’d sooner have you with me.”
You finally decide to go.
A few hours later, shortly after sunset, the three of you are kitted out for the dangerous task and issued with knives, clubs, grenades, extra ammunition and the all-important wire cutters. Pockets are emptied and your faces blackened with burnt cork. You are also given a password, “Eskimo”, so that your own sentries will be able to recognize you upon your return. At exactly 11pm, Sergeant Wilkes checks your gear one last time, then motions for you to follow him into No Man’s Land.
Crawling along on your bellies, the three of you inch slowly forward toward the enemy trenches. Luckily, the ground is hard yet uneven. In addition to the numerous shell holes, the ground is littered with fragments of twisted helmets and broken rifles and the occasional remains of an unidentified corpse.
With the exception of a few distant rifle shots, there is little noise and, to your relief, no sign of activity in the trench ahead. Suddenly, half way across No Man’s Land, the unmistakable arc of an enemy flare rockets high into the night sky then bursts in a bright, illuminating spectacle. The light seems brighter to you than sunlight itself. The Germans must surely see you now!