Sphere cover - Fight in a German dug-out by Matania
A fight in a German dug-out showing a British soldier hitting out at the Germans with the butt of his rifle. The picture, by The Sphere special artist, Fortunino Matania recounts an incident told by a member of a group of wounded men who had recently arrived at Southampton in August 1916. A part of British soldiers, approaching a German dug out with the door blown in were led by their officer, who insisted on going ahead. The Germans within feigned injury and asked for help, bayoneting and killing the officer when he went inside. The reaction of his men is illustrated by Matania in this front cover image - the dying officer can be seen lying on the ground to the left of the picture while the German occupants of the dug-out run from the attack
