Baron’s writing lays bare the realities of this group of men, living in such close quarters. Jokes and banter abound – sometimes using language which may not sit entirely comfortably with the modern reader, but which nonetheless gives a veracity to the text. The writing is unflinching in its descriptions of these men – the good and the bad – and they are by no means shown as angels. Yet perhaps even more important, and touching, are the quiet scenes of almost tenderness which the reader is party to – notable is Charlie Venable’s treatment of the young Alfie Bradley, overheard by Lance-Corporal Feather: ‘Been awake all the time, Charlie. Charlie, you know what you are? You’re a gentleman.’ ‘Dear, oh dear,’ sighed Charlie, ‘I do get called some names. Good night, Corp.’

***

The D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 play a huge role in the national memory of Britain, Canada and the United States. This was the largest amphibious assault to date, indeed a cross-channel landing was envisaged as early as April 1942, but, due to the complex nature of such operations, the long planning and training was essential. There were five main amphibious landings spanning a distance of almost 55 miles. To the west of Bayeaux were the three beaches of Gold, Juno and Sword where the British and Canadians landed, with the Americans to the east landing at Omaha and Utah. Allied casualties for the D-Day landings were c. 10,000, with 4,500 Allied soldiers confirmed dead. Despite such devastating losses, the landings were successful, and 156,000 allied troops were ashore by the end of the day. Alexander Baron was one of these men. His Pioneer company landed in one of the earliest waves, immediately after the first assault, and Baron witnessed (though didn’t participate in) the fiercest fighting first-hand. Later, he wrote, ‘in two of my novels there are accounts of the landing in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. These are based on my memories but I read them today as if they were somebody else’s story’.

Contrary to what one might expect, From the City, From the Plough depicts the soldiers as surprisingly keen for the action to start. Some are motivated by boredom, while others have more personal reasons. Charlie Venable, having seen the bombing of London and what it has put his beloved mother through, exclaims ‘Wouldn’a missed this for a million quid’. After such a long period of training and waiting, the scene just before the men land is short (perhaps surprisingly so) and poignant; ‘some of the men were talking, some smoking, some vomiting quietly into brown bags of greaseproof paper’. Then the talking stops as they enter the shallower water, before ‘wading with weapons held above their heads towards the wet sand ahead’.