War Stories - First Battle

First Battle is a piece from "War Stories" by Nicola Tuxworth. Included colored footage and footage from the 1930 film "All Quiet in on the Western Front" Gavin Yule as Trooper Rob Trooper Rob: Today was my first skirmish, we were heading to trenches but when we came under fire we had to hit the deck. I have never had a nightmare as bad as this and that’s the truth, a living nightmare. On my signup papers I said I was 19 years old but in truth I am only 16. In my family eyes I am still a lad and right now I am a scared lad under fire. Hearing other soldiers say that the war will be over in a few months and be Christmas the War will be at the end I think this is unlikely? But here keeping as low as I can, I am working hard to steady my hands as I fire a few volleys back. Keeping my cover behind a bank of earth I made some brave shots to where the enemy was firing at us, I was glad when my follow solider and friend Barry came and joined me. Barry had a smile that breathed confidence back into me; we meet at the Army Barracks and just hit it off right away. We were a force to be reckoned with, going through our training together, keeping neck and neck on the obstacles courses, charging with our rifles with the bayonets on top at sand bags and keeping friendly rivalry at the shooting range seeing which one of us would hit the target the most times. That was a good fun time but now the reality is so different… Especially with what happened next… the enemy fire was getting lighter but it still came thick and fast. Me and Barry could see a small huddle of enemy soldiers in an embankment of trees right in front of us across the grassy way. Barry pulled a Grenade from his belt, carefully taking his chance he crawled over the earthy bank in a bid to get a throw while I continued to shoot and to keep him covered. “If anyone can pull this off Barry can” but this wasn’t the case this time, as an unseen shot came from the enemy when Barry made his move to throw the Grenade. Everything slowed right down like a dying watch winding down to its last ticks, the shot killed Barry as his arm was just about to launch the Grenade. Barry fell and less than an arm length from him was the Grenade, I flattened myself right down behind the earthy bank as the most terrible explosion erupted. I saw through the long blades of grass smoke and debris were still airborne, the ground black and scorched, dirt and blood spread all over where the Grenade had blasted. I can’t remember if I saw any of Barry’s earthly remains or if the shock of this skirmish has repressed this awful moment, as I can’t remember for sure. I dreamed again and again of this moment seeing my dear friend fall and feeling the panic of the Grenade before the explosion and wanting to dash out to pull Barry body back to safety but being unable to do so, feeling as if I have a ball and chain on each of my ankles and unable to get over the embankment where I was taking cover. This was only a taster of what was to come, when we finally reached No Man’s Land my misery deepened further. If I die I wish this letter returned home. Rob (lad).