Paths of Glory (Cobb novel)

Paths of Glory is a 1935 war novel by Humphrey Cobb. Set during the World War I, the story tells of the French 181st company, which is sent by the general's order to carry out a reckless attack in no man's land with the purpose to take the strategically important "Pimple", and how the failure is covered up by court martialing "war criminals" for cowardice. The book was based on the Souain corporals affair, an actual event in WWI when the French Army shot four men for cowardice as an example to others.