The War That Should Have Ended All Wars

AFP photo

By

Hazel Speed

Wars of any kind, in any era, wherever they occur in the world are so tragic, incurring huge losses of life, caused by events beyond the control of the average soldier, civilian or families.

World War I was supposed to be ‘the war to end all wars’, yet of course we know it wasn’t the case.

Many historians, academics and non-academics, are somehow drawn to learn more about those years, especially considering how many died, in very short periods of time, though the War itself lasted a number of years.

For years the ‘Tommies’, British soldiers, (and the German soldiers) lived in dreadful conditions in trenches which they had to dig in fields first, facing enemy lines, as did the German soldiers facing the Tommies.

Often trenches were flooded out during a downpour of rain, or had the blown up remains of comrades whom they had been speaking to moments before military attacks came their way.

To go ‘over the top’ referred to climbing ladders out of the trenches in order to rush towards the enemy across ‘no man’s land’. That meant neither side had claimed the ground up to that point in time.

Horses were also slaughtered and the whole war was carnage.

It so happens that BBC Radio 4 is resuming their excellent programme ‘Home Front‘ – the next series commencing 31st July 2017 just after mid-day.

This short drama series of daily episodes replicates actual events on the same date lines during World War I, as seen through the records of what occurred either during the War or within the daily lives of families living in the UK waiting for news from their loved ones at the Front.

The link herein, is one to respect in that original make-shift crosses – markers of the fallen/buried soldiers during the war, are being retrieved wherever possible, and honoured in a suitable way, or place of reverence. This is indeed an incredibly worthy endeavour and touches one’s soul.

Hazel Speed

Photo (c) Hazel Speed – used by kind permision to Tuck Magazine

Hazel Speed is a Philosopher, Writer, and Artist with various creative projects at differing stages of development. Her flaship project is an animation which has produced a film short: www.thepinkprofessor.com. She has also written an E-novel, ‘Just Suppose…!‘ which is available via the attached link.

Art sites: www.candystoreart.com, www.terrificart.com, www.artbadges.co.uk