Chief Engineer. According to plan. Sixth Regiment replace them. Chief Engineer. According to plan. Sixth Regiment replace them.
Tramp. Ho, yuss! . . . There was other reports that began
‘The Regiment was butchered—accordin’ to plan!’
And after ’is battle, ’e’ll go round and scan
The corpses, all ’eaped up—‘accordin’ to plan’.
Enter Stretcher-bearers with wounded.
A Wounded Man. The fifth Regiment, our regiment—we’re all destroyed. Stop! Stop!
[Telegraph instrument clatters.
Signal Officer. (Reading dispatch) ‘Fifth regiment destroyed. We await orders.’
Chief Engineer. Sixth take its place. (To 2nd Engineer) Issue a report.
2nd Engineer. The battle is developing successfully. The Fifth Regiment especially distinguished itself, heroically repelling all attacks, whereupon it was relieved by the Sixth.
Chief Engineer. Bravo! I will decorate you with the steel Cross.
2nd Engineer. Thank you. I am only doing my duty.
Journalist. (Approaching with note-book) I am a journalist; shall we announce a victory?
Chief Engineer. Yes. Successful operations. Thanks to our plans prepared years ago. The admirable spirit of our forces—irresistible advance—the enemy demoralized.
Journalist. We—we—we
Chief Engineer. Eh?
