We have ways of making you tall, presents The Cauldron by Zeno, read by Almari.

Chapter 8.

Gorman was not certain that waking up was worse than the illusory suspension of danger

granted by sleep.

The platoon had stood two four times during the night and at twice up in fire on probing

enemy patrols.

Now he wondered what time it was, but made no move to look at his watch.

To move, we'll be to disturb and disperse the small pockets of warm air which had built

up between his clothing and his skin.

The inside of his mouth felt unclean and he was tired.

It was a tiredness he recognised and he knew he would have to fight against continually

from now on.

It was a mixture of many things, apart from weariness of the body.

The sense of physical ill-being suffered more by junior commanders than by anyone else.

Company commanders and high ranks had a buffer between themselves and immediate events.

They might switch units or commit reserves, but apart from these actions they were

debaired by their position from sharing the strains and pressures which for continually

at work upon the platoon and section commanders who controlled the men actually in contact

with the enemy.

The private soldier shared the tiredness brought on by prolonged physical exertion and the

constant pressures of fear and uncertainty, but when the firing stopped and the front

was quiet, when someone else was the century he could find time to relax and recuperate.

...