The Secret Battle
The Secret Battle is a novel by A. P. Herbert, published in 1919, based on his experiences as a junior infantry officer during World War I. The story follows Harry Penrose, an eager soldier who enlists at the war's onset, only to confront the brutal realities of combat at Gallipoli. Notable for its honest depiction of the psychological toll of war and its critique of military justice regarding desertion, the book stands out for its stark narrative, devoid of Herbert's later humor. It is one of the earliest works to vividly describe the Gallipoli campaign.
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“As a companion, more especially a companion in war, he was made tedious by a habit of cynicism and a passion for argument. The cynicism, I think, had developed originally from some early grievance against Society, had been adopted as an effective pose, and had now become part of his nature. Whatever its origin it was wearing to us, for in the actual scenes of war one likes to cling to one's illusions while any shred of them remains, and would rather they faded honourably under the gentle influence of time than be torn to fragments in a moment by reasoned mockery.””
— A. P. Herbert
