All in It: K(1) Carries On A Continuation of the First Hundred Thousand

Unit "K (1)" #2

by Ian Hay

We are getting into our stride again. Two months ago we trudged into Béthune, gaunt, dirty, soaked to the skin, and reduced to a comparative handful. None of us had had his clothes off for a week. Our ankle-puttees had long dropped to pieces, and our hose-tops, having worked under the soles of our boots, had been cut away and discarded. The result was a bare and mud-splashed expanse of leg from boot to kilt, except in the case of the enterprising few who had devised artistic spat-puttees out of an old sandbag. Our headgear consisted in a few cases of the regulation Balmoral bonnet, usually minus "toorie" and badge; in a few more, of the battered remains of a gas helmet; and in the great majority, of a woollen cap-comforter. We were bearded like that incomparable fighter, the poilu, and we were separated by an abyss of years, so our stomachs told us, from our last square meal. But we were wonderfully placid about it all. Our regimental pipers, who had come out to play us in, were making what the Psalmist calls "a joyful noise" in front; and behind us lay the recollection of a battle, still raging, in which we had struck the first blow, and borne our full share for three days and nights. Moreover, our particular blow had bitten deeper into the enemy's line than any other blow in the neighbourhood. And, most blessed thought of all, everything was over, and we were going back to rest. For the moment, the memory of the sights we had seen, and the tax we had levied upon our bodies and souls, together with the picture of the countless sturdy lads whom we had left lying beneath the sinister shade of Fosse Eight, were beneficently obscured by the prospect of food, sleep, and comparative cleanliness. After restoring ourselves to our personal comforts, we should doubtless go somewhere to refit. Drafts were already waiting at the Base to fill up the great gaps in our ranks. Our companies having been brought up to strength, a spate of promotions would follow. We had no Colonel, and only our Company Commander. Subalterns—what was left of them—would come by their own. N.C.O.'s, again, would have to be created by the dozen. While all this was going on, and the old names were being weeded out of the muster-roll to make way for the new, the Quartermaster would be drawing fresh equipment—packs, mess-tins, water-bottles, and the hundred oddments which always go astray in times of stress.

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 1917

About the author

John Hay Beith was a Scottish schoolmaster, soldier, playwright, and novelist.

He was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh and St. Johns College, Cambridge. He was a second-lieutenant in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was sent to France in April 1915 where he was awarded the Military Cross. He was later Director of Public Relations at the War Office (1938 - 1941).

As "Ian Hay", he was also a novelist and playwright.

Reviews

[Graham Mott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The follow on book to The First Hundred Thousand, it follows the fictionalised journey of the 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders from Loos, where the first book ended, through the battle of the Somme.

An interesting book but not as well structured or consistent as the first, which was a huge success and was probably written less self-consciously. This may have affected his writing, making him much more aware of his audience (he was still a serving officer) and several chapters drift over into blatant propaganda as the war was still on and its outcome still undecided. His descriptions of Germans as ignorant, square headed, brutal, brutes may well reflect his feelings and popular sentiment (see the Bruce Barnsfather cartoons) but must have begged the question, if they are so useless how come we aren’t winning more easily?

However, several chapters are very well done. The attack through Longueval village is very well and poignantly told, street fighting not being something we associate with the Great War and the sad but almost casual noting of year another fallen officer is very moving. The final chapter, as two young but wounded officers reminisce on past battles and lost comrades is moving and thoughtful and reflects the cost and sacrifice of very young men who survived, but who had seen so much. Overall an interesting book, especially as it was written as the war was still on and therefore reflected views and feelings without the benefit of hindsight, but also suffering from his obvious desire to support the war effort and promote final victory.

As a final note, this isn’t a popular or well known book and therefore with a bit of cunning an original first edition can be found at a very modest cost.