Lyric explanation for Us & Them

Basically I've been trying to get the meaning down of this paragraph:


Forward he cried from the rear
And the front rank died.
And the general sat and the lines on the map
Moved from side to side


The rest of the song makes sense.

Ok, why didn't you say so.

"Forward he cried from the rear" refers to generals, who sit safely in the back of the ranks.

"and the front rank died" once again, the general was safe, while the guys doing the dirty work die.

"nd the general sat and the lines on the map
Moved from side to side" Ditto.

Basically saying the people who make desicions about war are not the ones putting their ass on the line.

Frankly, and enjoy this because it is rare, I apologize for my comments.

Christ, now everyone is gonna think I am going soft.

oh. hah. Thanks. I was somehow picturing a miltiary meeting with some doofus private in the backrow yelling out something... :\