"Fix Bayonets!" by John
W. Thomason Jr., Captain, U. S. Marine Corps
Thomason was the second-in-command of the 49th Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 4th Marine Brigade. He was present at most of the battles fought by the 4th Marine Brigade. Thomason was also an accomplished artist, and the book is filled with sketches he made during the pauses in battle.
This book is written strictly from a ground pounder's perspective. There is no question about the bravery and sacrifices made by the Marines. There is lots of gritty action and gore, especially when the Marines and Germans get up close and personal. The book is a little casual about death. Men getting their heads neatly trimmed off by shrapnel, arms and legs blown off, and guts spilling out are treated as minor events. The author had great respect for Marine marksmanship, especially at long range with the Springfield rifle. I found it fascinating that high casualties were taken with so little concern.
All things considered, this is an interesting book. I haven't read much non-fiction about World War I, and I found it historically educational.
Available from:
Naval Institute Press (Classics of Naval Literature)
118 Maryland Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21402-5035
800-233-8764
Reviewed by Ken Smith, 5 December 1998
