Chapter 20 Summary and Analysis

Graves' unit was then transferred by rail to the Somme. In the trenches, he again met Siegfried Sassoon who was by then referred to as 'Mad Jack' because of his many daring, often somewhat insane, exploits. Graves was assigned to 'D' Company, which trailed along in support of the main line of attack. They were sent to the area around Martinpuich. After the long transport, Graves was so tired that he easily slept through a massive German bombardment on his position. A few days later, they advanced and constructed two strong points in front of the main trench. One night while Grave's platoon was fortifying a strong point, an English unit mistook them for a German unit and attempted to surrender to them. The Somme offensive ground on and Graves gives the strength of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Regiment during mid-July...