The Test of Scarlet

The Test of Scarlet is an absorbing World War I fiction by Anglo-American novelist and soldier of the Canadian Field Artillery, Coningsby Dawson. The characters and events of this novel are, to a point, inspired by real-life personalities making this work an important piece of historical literature.

Excerpt from The Test of Scarlet

"THE raid is over. The frenzied appeal of the Hun flares has died down. Flares are the deaf and dumb language of the Front. Sometimes they say, «We are advancing»; sometimes, «We are beaten back.» Most often they say, «We are in danger; call upon the artillery for help.» Tonight they seemed to be crying out for mercy—speaking not to friends, but to us. We were silent as God, and now they too are silent."