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Introduction

Trench Letter Home - Coursework Dear Mother and Father, As I write this I sit in my dugout by candle light, perfectly fine. My life has changed forever. I cannot believe that only a month ago I was sitting back home with my caring family, life seemed so simple. I can remember rocking on my chair, I was so eager to sign up. But the grim reality of war strikes hard and fast. Looking on at your fellow companions launch into the nightmare of war and torment only to fall down beside you a second later is an anguish we all have to cope with. Death is as common as birds here. I just wish a bullet would hit me so I could travel back home and be with you both again but I have a duty to perform and a country to serve. If dyeing for my country is what she requires then so be it. Life in the trenches gets longer and longer as time moves on. Free time is as rare as meals these days and I cannot help thinking the officers are eating well while we starve. ...read more.

Middle

That's what a new recruit dreads the most. As soon as you emerge from your trench the bullets whizz around you like there's no tomorrow, it doesn't help that we wear kilograms of weight piled on our backs. Leaping into rifle pits can leave you drowning in mud but it is a risk that saves our lives. They just don't seem to listen when I suggest we leave our packs behind and return to fetch them when we have cleared the German trench. Some recruits wail they are underage and beg to go home but the officer's reply is always "You can't back out now; I'll sort something out if you make it." I even know a 12 year-old who signed up, we can't believe he's made it this far. When we do launch into war the hellish reality of the "enjoyable" war strikes again as we fight against the murderous fire of the Germans. We have heard of battalions that have been wiped out completely when an attack on them propped up at night, it was an utter disaster. In our battalion we all take turns to keep watch at night, if anyone is going to sneak up on someone it's going to be us. ...read more.

Conclusion

It was great knowing that we had professional help behind us since we only had a few weeks of training whereas they have years of experience and training. However they were called up to support a battalion to the east. Only half of them remain since they are always at the frontline in the main action breaking holes through the German lines. Most of us here are volunteers or pressurized into joining because of the propaganda which probably litters the streets of London now. "It will be over by Christmas", I, like most of us here are starting to feel that this catch line is a lie. It's been over a month now since the war started and the progress we have made is shameful, I just hope I can be with you both again soon, before Christmas. Upon that note I must stop writing and I hope to hear from you soon. Your letters fill me with joy, I just with I could express my emotions, writing it down on paper isn't enough. Please don't feel afraid for me for I promise I shall see you again. Best wishes to you and if I don't make it I'll be watching you from heaven, I will always be with you in life or death. With all my love, your son. ?? ?? ?? ?? English Coursework ...read more.

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