We evolve each day with layers of history behind us, covering our primal existence. As much as the bygone era can be recounted for the simplicity of a jolly life, there were episodes as horrendous as hell. Recently, I read a novel – Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo. The story of a teenager is set in the backdrop of World War I. This story keyed me to search further for such pieces and how every single day spent by these men was a struggle for survival. That they had to bear the extreme weather serving nights after nights in trenches, without proper/suitable gear and food is just one part of their struggle.
What appalls even more is how the young teenagers were pushed to fight for their state – not knowing what good this blood bath would bring to them, their state or to anyone else.
Those who tried to escape were executed point blank. Those who tried to defy or challenge any of their superior’s orders were subjected to court martial and were shot at dawn, without the trial being held at the least. What more, the detainees were not even awarded the slightest chance of presenting their witness, leave alone having someone to fight their case. The system was absurdly skewed towards the insanity of ruthless personnels at position. These 4 years of utter madness and blood bath resulted in 9 million lives lost. A whole generation turned to gore. Till date, the British govt. has not compensated (posthumous pardon) the families of the slain soldiers who were so callously executed.
