The Boy Volunteers with the British Artillery

In Short

This work is a piece of juvenile wartime fiction that captures the fervor and technical fascination of the First World War. It follows two American boys, Ralph and Alfred, as they transition from volunteer aviation and transport work into the rigorous world of British artillery. Through a series of rapid-fire adventures, the pair encounters spies, survives shelling, and participates in major battlefield maneuvers. The book serves as both a story of adolescent bravado and a primer on the mechanics of early twentieth-century warfare, illustrated with diagrams of weaponry and tactical maps.

The Story

The narrative begins with Ralph and Alfred, two Americans already seasoned by earlier service in Europe, seeking their next engagement. Having witnessed the impressive display of mobile artillery in a local parade, they decide to join the British artillery. Despite their status as minors and foreigners, their persistent, "can-do" attitude eventually earns them a place in the ranks.

The boys are quickly thrust into the realities of the front. They assist in the construction of "chapparal"—a technique of concealing artillery with brush and poles to evade German aerial reconnaissance—and learn that the true skill of a soldier lies in keen observation rather than mere physical courage. Their education is practical and dangerous: they navigate the treacherous "Devil's Cut," a stretch of road under heavy fire, and participate in a massive bombardment that supports an infantry advance.

As the story progresses, the boys’ roles expand beyond simple manual labor. They develop an uncanny ability to spot enemy activity, leading to a significant breakthrough when they identify a German spy operating under the guise of an innocuous peddler. By analyzing the numeric codes the spy records on his sales slips, the boys enable the British command to uncover enemy positions.

The climax of their service involves a difficult reconnaissance mission. While investigating suspicious activity on a ridge, they are caught in a drive that leaves their commanding officers wounded or killed. Throughout these harrowing experiences, the boys maintain their youthful optimism, often relying on their wits and a recurring dog named Frisky to navigate the bureaucratic and tactical hurdles of the war. They frequently find themselves in the right place at the right time, whether they are commandeering transport or helping to secure prisoners during a successful British advance. In the end, the boys find their place in the machinery of war, proving that their youthful energy and unconventional methods have earned them a permanent, if unofficial, role alongside the seasoned veterans.

How It Unfolds

The decision to enlist Ralph and Alfred observe a parade of field guns and determine to pivot from aviation to artillery. They seek out an artillery school and, through sheer persistence and a willingness to work, secure a path into the British service.

Mastering the art of war The boys learn the mechanics of the 75-millimeter gun and the necessity of camouflage. A captain teaches them that effective observation is a mental exercise, shifting their understanding of combat from mere sight to reasoned analysis.

Unmasking the enemy While observing camp life, the boys become suspicious of a peddler who makes no sales yet records precise numbers. Their deduction, which links these figures to troop movements and equipment, leads to the capture of a German spy.

Under fire at the front The boys survive the bombardment of "Devil's Cut" and eventually find themselves in the thick of a major offensive. They witness the devastation of a shelled battlefield and the loss of their own commanders before successfully aiding in the capture of enemy soldiers.

The People

Ralph and Alfred are the driving forces of the narrative, defined by their restlessness and an insatiable desire to be where the action is. They are presented as quintessential, resourceful American youths who view the limitations of age and nationality as mere administrative inconveniences. Ralph is often the one to voice their boldest plans, while Alfred provides a steady, analytical counterpoint, though both share an identical drive to prove their worth. They are accompanied by a stray dog named Frisky, a "war relic" who follows them through the trenches and provides a touch of domesticity amidst the ruin. The officers they encounter—ranging from a supportive colonel to the stern lieutenant who eventually issues them a hard-won permit—serve as mentors who recognize the boys’ value, even if they are initially baffled by their lack of formal credentials.

In Its Own Voice

"I think that if the Allies would put more money and energy into flying machines and less in big guns, there would be more likelihood of success; but I don't suppose we ought to know it all."

Ralph expresses his youthful opinion on military strategy while discussing the shifting nature of the war with Alfred.

"The eye brings into your range something which may be familiar, that is, something of which you have seen before, and you say you have seen thus and so; or, on the other hand, you see something which is unknown, or strange."

A captain explains to the boys that true observation is a process of active reasoning rather than simple sight.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the transformation of the amateur into the professional within the context of industrial warfare. It argues that the modern soldier must be as much a technician and a thinker as he is a fighter. The text emphasizes the importance of observation, logic, and the ability to interpret data—like the spy's ledger or the positioning of guns—as the primary tools for survival and success. Underlying the plot is an argument for the superiority of ingenuity and adaptability over rigid, conventional protocol. The boys succeed not through military training, but through their ability to see what others miss and their refusal to accept "no" as an answer.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical curiosities will find this a fascinating window into how the Great War was marketed and explained to a younger generation in 1917. The book vibrates with the intense, urgent energy of a world in the midst of a technological shift, where the transition from horses to motorized artillery is treated with the same wonder as the latest flying machines. It is a straightforward, brisk read that moves from one incident to the next without lingering on the psychological toll of combat.

Modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes of the era, particularly the boys' casual disregard for military bureaucracy and the occasionally idealized portrayal of warfare. The prose is functional and utilitarian, reflecting the mechanical nature of the weaponry it describes. While it lacks the deep character introspection found in later war literature, it provides a vivid, diagram-filled look at the "terrific duels" of the artillery. It remains a memorable artifact for those interested in the tone of wartime juvenile fiction, offering a glimpse into a time when two boys could, in their own minds, turn the tide of a global conflict through sheer, earnest persistence.