The present war has revised all military theories about the field of fire … The question to be solved … is the actual getting across of 100 or 200 yards of open space and wire entanglements.

Whatever else they may say of me as a soldier, at least nobody can say I have ever failed to display a meet and proper appreciation of the virtues of alcohol.

I am happy here … I always get on with soldiers. I do not certainly regret the step I took … I know that I am doing the right thing out here … Do you know I am quite young again?

Last night ... I had a splendid walk ... all over the top of the ground ... You cannot show yourself here by day, but in the bright moonlight it is possible to move about without danger (except from random bullets) & to gain a vy clear impression ... We also went out in from of our own parapet into the No man’s land & prowled about looking at our wire & visiting our listening posts. This is always exciting.

Death is only an incident, and not the most important one which happens to us in the state of being … look forward, feel free, rejoice in life, cherish the children, guard our memory. God bless you.

Everything trends towards catastrophe & collapse. I am interested, geared up & happy. Is it not horrible to be built like that?

We are defeated at sea because our admirals have learned – where I know not– that war can be made without running risks.

It will be better to engage Germany on new frontiers … Naval command of the Baltic must be secured.

It is no use saying, “We are doing our best.” You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.