Like sheep to the slaughter.

Verdun had become a slaughter house. To save the tottering prestige of the Crown Prince Frederick Wilhelm, whole German battalions were sacrificed in vain efforts to break down the French defense.

Like sheep to the slaughter.

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Von Tirpitz

Von Tirpitz was said to have expressed deep sorrow for the women and children he had been compelled to kill. (As well, perhaps, as for those whom he was to kill on the morrow.)

“Oh, woe is me,” the Pirate cried,
“My duty's been full sore
And sorrow, like a rising tide,
Drowns all the joys of yore.”

“And jocular as you may deem
This drowning children by the score;
However droll the sport may seem,
It gets to be a horrid bore.”