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The Angel of Mons: Phantom Soldiers and Ghostly Guardians. By David Clarke. Chichester: Wiley, 2004. 278 pp. Illus. £16.99 (hbk). ISBN 0-470-86277-7
The story of the Angel(s) of Mons, widely disseminated and often fervently believed during and after World War I, offers a fascinating case study for students of legend and rumour. It described how British soldiers, heavily outnumbered by German forces during the battle and retreat at Mons on 23-7 August 1914, were miraculously protected by what were variously described as heavenly lights, a strange mist, phantom horsemen led by St George, or a troop of angels. From the spring of 1915 onwards, the story spread through Christian and Theosophical magazines; it was mentioned in many sermons; it was investigated by the Society for Psychical Research. There were constant allusions to unnamed soldiers...