As a medical officer, he was the only officer who was not directly involved in the dispute. Already up to his eyes looking after the countless casualties due to exposure in the jungle, he was not included in the labor corps; but this only served to intensify his fear when he witnessed the first clash from the building pompously labeled "Hospital," where he had reported for duty before dawn. Awakened while it was still dark by the whistles and the shouts of the guards, the men had gone on parade in an ugly mood, still muddled and not yet fully recovered from the effects of the mosquitoes and the wretched quarters. The officers had fallen in where they were told. Colonel Nicholson had given them definite instructions. "We must co-operate," he had said, "as far as is compatible with our sense of honor. I, too, shall go on parade." It was understood that obedience to Saito's orders would go no further than that. They were kept there for some time, standing to attention in the cold and damp; then, as the sun rose, they saw Colonel Saito appear, surrounded by junior officers and walking in front of the engineer who was to direct the working parties.
What do You think about The Bridge Over The River Kwai?
