I have come to the same conclusion this year as I did this time last year that a new year’s resolution turns into a revolution where certain people just haven’t a clue on how to behave in a civilised world. It is the little things that count the most and the major incidents such as loss of life don’t seem to mean much to some of the inhabitants of this planet. I feel rather philosophical about life and the many twists and turns that befall each individual. What with the vortex of weather we all have experienced, some a lot worse than others and how Insurance Companies can find loop holes in their policies, which had not been pointed out at the time of insuring a customer. It all comes down to GREED or UPMANSHIP, one never knows which!
This year it is a 100 years since the start of 1914 – 18 war, a war in which millions of men were butchered, a war that saw on several occasions hand to hand fighting. The shell-shock syndrome was recognised as being cowardly and men were placed against a wall and shot. We never learnt from that war because we had to have a dessert – another war with the same casualty ratings. We weren’t happy when that was over because we had to intervene in other people’s wars and it does seem that the British with their stiff upper lip must sally forth into the unknown. What price is a medal against someone’s life?
Some call it a celebration of a 100 year birthday of a war to end all wars, but somebody had other ideas up their sleeves. There is always a crackpot willing to chance their arm, but unfortunately for them it went awry I am glad to say. Here are some facts for the younger readers:
The total number of military and civilian casualties in World War l was over 37 million. There were over 16 million deaths and 20 million wounded ranking it among the deadliest conflicts in human history. The total number of deaths includes about 10 million military personnel and about 7 million civilians.
The Entente Powers (also known as the Allies) lost about 6 million soldiers while the Central Powers lost about 4 million. At least 2 million died from diseases and 6 million went missing presumed dead.
About two-thirds of military deaths in World War I were in battle, unlike the conflicts that took place in the nineteenth century when the majority of deaths were due to disease.
A SALUTE TO HEROES
The unknown warrior cannot write what is written in his heart when all about him shell bursts bombard his brain and causes the body and nerves to tingle and start when life becomes tedious with strain.
Onward march every stride with tufts of grass and mud the heavy load he carries is survival for life when the buzzing of bullets hit their targets and there is spilt blood and what of war a useless farce that’s rife.
Our soldier dives onto the slushy ground and screams that stifle and places bullets into breech and steadily takes aim and a noise from underfoot twigs snap as he squeezes the trigger of his rifle and surely his enemy falls and life fails his character slain
The enemy, who is the enemy, there’s or ours, for they all count and what of the bullet that might come your way and whoever stands in mud-filled holes for hours and hours, may be prepared to fight another day.
Two whistle blows hardly heard above the noise of battle and heroes all who stand and fight although one does not wish to hear a death rattle or even turn around and take flight.
Out of the hole he crawls, advancing in no man’s land, a silence falls like a thunderous roar and is God going to give him a helping hand or will he go to hell or to heaven soar.
He safely reaches the next hole and lands feet first and steady and one more blast on whistle blow means stay so rest my lad for tomorrow you must be ready for King and Country and this time God may help you on your way.
The 1939 – 45 World War II
Because of the Holocaust, no one really knows how many people perished, but the estimates given are over 85 million deaths which includes civilians. 2.5% of the world population.
And still we are fighting other nation’s wars. When will we ever learn?