R.A.S.C., as narrated to Major John Dalgleish. (Gollancz. 4s. 6d.)
THE way this book has been written is by no.means a novelty. In the past the rather inarticulate British soldier has often needed an intermediary to help him put his experiences before the public, and Major Dalgleish does for Driver Crawford pretty much what Henry Curling did for Rifleman Harris of the Peninsular Army. The com- parison is not inapt, for Harris and Crawford have this is common, that they were justly conscious of belonging to a corps d'ilite, in one case the Light Division and in the other the Eighth Army. Driver
Crawford has a .plain, unvarnished story of heroic action to tell, a there is no discernible attempt on the part of Major Dalgleish obtrude himself, except perhaps in the rather unexpected •quotano from Rupert Brooke towards the end. This book ought finally dispel the legends about the "Ally Slopers " that have linger since the last war. There is now no doubt that the R.A.S.C. i not only a vital service but a fully combatant part of the Army Incidentally, I had always understood that the "Desert Rats" we the 7th Armoured Division, which bore the jerboa as its divisio sign, but Driver Crawford seems uncertain on this point. In wel coming this book, we must hope for more records of their experienc from among serving soldiers. Such records have a value of the own which the books of even the most intrepid and skilful u correspondents cannot hope to possess.
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