"The column was moving along a road through grassland dotted with groves of trees. We didn't see them until we were right on top of them and then all the warning we had was a sudden rustling in the long grass before they broke over us like a wave of razor-edged death. I only escaped because I was on my bike at the head of the column and got out of there in time. The rest of the company was wiped out within minutes by a force no more than half their number."

Testimony of Corporal Jarrac, late of the 8th Thessarus Regiment, now serving with the Penal Legion.