30 OCTOBER 1920, Page 20

The Bagging of Baghdad. By Ernest Betts. (Lane. 7s. 65.

act.)—Despite an unfortunate title, this little book on the Mesopo- tamian campaign is worth reading. The author's object is to describe a soldier's feelings in battle. He is a civilian who volunteered for service ; a regular officer would perhaps have a different point of view. Mr. Betts says that, when the enemy's shell-fire became heavy and the troops were ordered to advance, he found himself " numbed and incapable and immeasurably stunned " because he had nothing to do but to await instructions. When he was in the actual firing-line there was so much going en that he had no time to think. Probably many thousands of volunteers who served would agree with Mr. Betts. His impres. dons of Basra and Bombay are clearly described.. He does not seem to have met the best Anglo-Indians.