The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-13
"The Black Watch"
By GORDON B. MOSS.

a Record "a ACTION. IL Is more lnan
that; it is a Historical work of first i'm
portance-one that deserves q place in
any collection of war literature.
Cassell's book covers definite period
of the war. the retreat from Mons TO the
Marine @when the Black Watch and other
regiments of the immortal contemplate
little army marched into the unknown
against the fiercest, most efficient null
tary power the world up to that time had
known; the months when hidden enemies
struck swiftly mystifying blows with
strange weapons, the more terrible be-
cause we did not understand them and
had never imagined their power and num-
hers" 1t is the individual record as well
of the part one man played in that
bloodiest of wars sacrifices, of almost un-
believable adventures and escapades, told
with complete absence of "swank-" Also
presented are indisputable evidences OF
the cruelest of German atrocities. 1t IL
probably the most readable, interest COM
peIling war book since Orer the Top and
countless times as thrilling.
The Black Watch was one Of the first
regular British army regiments in France,
and for DAYS Cassells and his comrades
underwent forced marches to meet the
on rolling tidal wave Of German soidiery.
They reached Mons, where they were to
hold the left flank. They intrenched but
were forced 10 give way. Then began
the slow, bloody retreat toward the
Marne, when Britainis valiant army, by
tremendous sacrifice of lives, helped to
impede and finally check the German men
ace.
< "We had no artillery to speak of and
few airpianes," whites Cassells. IF we
had had more of the latter there might
have been another story" Undoubtedly
his own story would not have been so
highly entertaining, for the scout was
still the eyes Of the army, and many OF
his most exciting adventures came when
he had been ordered to crawl on his
belly to the crest Of ridge to see what
lay beyond.
The agoaies suffered by an army IN
retreat, when RELENTLESS foe drives them
ever on and on, without opportunity to
eat, sleep or even battle are vividly re-
counted. I'VE were near to exhaustion
and some of the men dropped from the
ranks only to die of the strain"
Finally came the fighting on the Aisne,
after which the British sHd French re-
sistance grew stubborn and checked the
invaders. Casseils seemed to bear
charmed life, being ever in the thick Of
the fighting and participating in num-
Der of personal affairs with individual
Germans. One incident he relates As
follows:
"In the general mi1up found myself
locked in the arms Of beariike Prus-
sian Guardsman who evidently had lost
his rife and bayoneet. His knee was
against my knee-his chest pressed
against my chest. Our faces touched.
Il slid my hanas up along the barrel Of
nv rifle until they we're almest under the
hiIt of the bayonet. Very slowly showed
the butt back of me and TO the side.
Lower and lower dropped it. The keen
blade was between u.s. All the bun
seemed to know about wrestling was to
hug. He dared not let 60. Had he known
a few tricks of the game I should not be
writing this to-day.
"Instinctively l felt that the point Of
my bayonet was in line with his throat.
With every ounce Of strength in my body
/ wrenched my shoulders upward and
Strengthened my knees The action broke
his hold and my bayonet was driven into
his greasy throat.
"The thrust l had used has come TO be
known as the .jab point; they are teach
ing it to the American army to-day. 1t
developed naturally from just such situa-
tions. as I have described"