[Nogrod]

Just a wild speculation then...

Every male who has been in the army or a sports team knows the "hero" / tough guy -character.

It is kind of Túrin character... the one who makes the difference, able and willing - and in some ways pathetic in it - but stronger and wilder than others who might know better.

I could see the Prof here looking at the physically stronger and mentally braver (or more blind) guys coming forth in the trenches - who would still be in the main more stupid, childish, and especially more ignorant of the bigger picture / the world outside themsleves.

It's the kind of a school bully being written as a hero, a thing he could have witnessed in the trenches and realised this possibility - well the reality of it...