Counter-Attack

Siegfried Sassoon's poem "Counter-Attack," published in 1918, is a stark portrayal of the brutalities of World War I. The collection, like much of Sassoon's work, uses graphic language to depict the horrors of trench warfare and its emotional toll on soldiers.1

Sassoon, an English poet and novelist, served as an officer in World War I and was twice wounded. His experiences led him to become a vocal critic of the war, famously making a public affirmation of pacifism in 1917. His antiwar poetry, including "Counter-Attack," brought him widespread recognition but was also met with criticism for being cynical and unpatriotic. The poem's title itself suggests a desperate and futile response to overwhelming odds, reflecting the grim reality of the conflict.1