Chapter 4 Summary

After three weeks at Monte Pocero Orwell is transferred to Monte Oscuro to join a POUM contingent of about thirty English ILP members, the group is part of the 29th Division. This effectively groups Orwell with other soldiers of his own nationality and political affiliation. Williams, another Englishman, is also transferred. At Monte Oscuro, the enemy lines are three to four hundred yards distant; still too far for effective rifle fire.

Constant but ineffectual patrols are mounted, the soldiers never get enough sleep, and the winter cold continues. Water is always in short supply. Several soldiers on each hilltop are assigned propaganda duty. They use megaphones to shout political slogans and derision across the front lines. Orwell considers this, at first, to be ridiculous. However, as he watches the constant trickle of Fascist deserters, he comes to appreciate the effectiveness of the propaganda...