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Transcriber's note: Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and Black Letter by =equals signs=. Tables of Content have been moved from the back covers to the front of the Parts they reference.
_With Introduction and Biographical Notes_
PUBLISHED FROM THE OFFICES OF "COUNTRY LIFE," LTD., 20, TAVISTOCK STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON
I.--HAIG, FIELD MARSHAL SIR DOUGLAS, K.T., G.C.B., G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E., =A.D.C.=
II.--PLUMER, GENERAL SIR H. C. O., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., K.C.B., =A.D.C.=
III.--RAWLINSON, GENERAL SIR H. S., Bart., G.C.V.O., K.C.B., K.C.V.O.
IV.--GOUGH, SIR H. De La POER, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.
VII.--BIRDWOOD, LIEUT.-GEN. SIR W. R., K.C.B., K.C.S.I., K.C.M.G., C.I.E., D.S.O.
VIII.--BYNG, GENERAL THE HON. SIR J. H. G., K.C.B., K.C.M.G., M.V.O.
IX.--CONGREVE, LIEUT.-GEN. SIR W. N., =V.C.=, K.C.B., M.V.O.
X.--HALDANE, LIEUT.-GEN. J. A. L., C.B., D.S.O.
XI.--WATTS, LIEUT.-GEN. H. E., C.B., C.M.G.
XII.--SMUTS, LIEUT.-GEN. THE RT. HON. JAN C., P.C., K.C., M.L.A.
This small portrait gallery of British generals represents, in fair epitome, the drama of British history. Each of the officers who figure here has behind him a varied story of fighting in strange places, under all sorts of conditions, as well as in the tense atmosphere of modern scientific war; each of them has first had to struggle against heavy odds before arriving at the conditions which at present obtain on the Western front. Infantrymen, cavalrymen, artillerists, they have come through a fiery trial to command large bodies of troops in the most terrible struggle of our history.
The part of their story that is concerned in this war is memorable, and may we not say it, memorably fine? For these are not the leaders of that vast host whose shadow has hung over Europe for so many years, whose numbers and efficiency have been the evil dream of the international situation; but of that small contingent that, for an ideal, took the field light-heartedly, against the vast German horde. Even the Belgian army was more numerous than the Expeditionary Force that struck its first blow before Mons; and these leaders have memories of the days when it was the equal in nothing, save undaunted courage and tactical ability, of the army in whose path it stood.