WE WANT TO KNOW

Dragon, 1 December 1942, Page 26

WE WANT TO KNOW

One of the things we want to know is the reason for some orders. For example we have with us again that classic command, "Troop will advance about turn." And to make matters worse, this mental bombshell may be followed by the information that the troop is about to move to the right by turning left. The mental confusion caused by this form of skull-dudgery was not considered sufficient. After all, even troopers will see or learn anything in time, and it became our habit never to listen to the first part of an order— the last. To lull our suspicions those in authority decided to relent. For a week or two we were told that "Troop will retire, about turn" or "Troop will move to the left, left turn," We all sighed with relief and became at least twice as efficient in our manoeuvres. This was too much for authority. Life was not difficult enough. So now once more, as we move forwards we go backwards. When we turn left we don't; we move right. And if we move right, we aren't; we are turning left. Of course, this is not an invariable rule. Yesterday my front was actually my front. For once I did not have to worry as to whether my face was really my face or something else. Some people say it looks like something else anyway. I gather Mecca has something to do with it. Either Mecca or the place where the wet canteen should be, and isn't.