Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 17, No. 16 August 5, 1953
"Charge!"—Said the Bugle
"Charge!"—Said the Bugle
The finest action scenes come with Pearl Harbour Upon the barrack roofs with machine-guns of various calibres and bottles of whisky the soldiers have a glorious time shooting at low-flying planes. The bugler walks around blowing "Charge"; a drunk sergeant with a machine-gun wins the Silver Star; an American plane in shot down plus several Japs. Generally a good time is had by all. No-one is badly hurt. No-one feels very serious about the whole thing.
James Jones has an axe to grind—it is unfortunate that he has to use his readers as the stone. No doubt he has many highly reasonable complaints, but he could have made them in a less hot-eyed manner. A savage, tough novel full of begrudging, bitter respect for the army and the men in it. (Recommended for all C.M.T.S.)
—E.