Warriors for the Working Day

King Henry replies to the French herald, Mountjoy, Let me speak proudly: tell the constable We are but warriors for the working-day; Our gayness and our gilt are all besmirch'd With rainy marching in the painful field; There's not a piece of feather in our host-- Good argument, I hope, we will not fly-- And time hath worn us into slovenry:

But, by the mass, our hearts are in the trim.The title appears to imply that while the British are not professionals, they are up to the task of defeating the forces of Nazi Germany.

On the outbreak of World War II, Elstob applied to rejoin the RAF but after a long delay, was turned down.

These experiences provided him with the material for the novel; at least one incident in the book, from Operation Goodwood during the Battle of Caen, is a word-for-word retelling, according to his obituary.

[2] Donovan is highly experienced, having fought in the North African Campaign and is invaluable as a leader but shows signs of battle fatigue.

His radio operator, Lance Corporal Brook (part based on Elstob), a new man, is looking to move up in the ranks, being more educated than the rest of the crew.

[2] The following morning, Brook is given command of a tank, with Taffy and Geordie as part of his crew, with two other men, Wilcox as radio operator and Sanderson as gunner.

In August and September the crew participate in the breakout from the Normandy bridgehead and the Great Swan across northern France into Belgium.

In December they are redeployed to the Ardennes; their armoured brigade is the only British unit to take part in the Battle of the Bulge, turning back the Germans just short of the Meuse river.

At this point the platoon is under command of Lieutenant Kenton, who is clearly battle-fatigued and is preparing to cause a self-inflicted wound, when Brook happens to notice.