Brewster 'A Glimpse of War through a Private's Eyes', a retrospective account of experiences in World War I, 1915-1917 / John James Brewster - Page 71
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[Page 71]
abound in many places although hardly noticeable in the day time show up quite distinctly at night & if a breeze is blowing one is almost inclined at times to think that a patrol is steadily but surely approaching more especially as quite a number of Jackals roam the desert.
Travelling at night is also very difficult off a known track unless careful note is made both back & front as to the position of the Stars or some outstanding land mark such as a very high sand dune.
One NCO of our Company was taking out a patrol party for experimental scout work, part of his duty being to send a man back to Headquarters at stated times reporting progress. Every report had to be in writing but as one of the men had been sent with a verbal message only & not wanting to disclose his error to the men the NCO halted them & ran back to overtake the "runner".
The Party waited some hours and as it looked as if the NCO was never coming back, before morning dawned they journeyed back to the Camp & much to their surprise ascertained that the N.C.O. had not returned. Notice was immediately sent to every post to sweep the horizon for any trace of the missing man.
A search party was being organized when later in the day the NCO trudged very tired into the lines.
Having to report his absence to the O/C he started a rambling statement of how he discovered a Turkish Scout approaching the lines whom he chased for 25 miles & although he succeeded in wounding him the Turk succeeded in escaping. As no one would expect such a "cock & bull" yarn to be credited for one moment, the NCO was promptly reduced to the ranks. Had the man plainly & outspokenly told the truth that he lost his way & was aimlessly wandering about all night the worst he would have suffered would have been a reprimand & one or two days "chaffing" from the men but as it was