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| Copyright Sandra Crook |
I close my eyes and recall the smell of the salty sea breeze
mixed with the stench of death. Even
after these years the cries of my fellow soldiers reverberate in my ears. The beach, littered with wounded men –
English, French, Indians, New Zealanders and Australians.
My corps handled the supply Mules that serviced areas where
motor transport was impossible. But we were under constant sniper and machine
gun fire during the day. My brother was shot and died as I held him. Those heartrending
final moments on the beach etched in my mind forever.
Remember them Lest We Forget.
***
I'd love to read what you think about this post...
Written for the Friday Fictioneers. Word count:100
On 25th April being Anzac day I decided to write an Anzac themed story. Around 15000 Indian soldiers fought in Gallipoli but for a long time their contribution remained unknown. Fortunately this is changing. In total around 74187 Indian troops died during World War 1.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
I am going for a two for one deal this week. To read the other story click here.
It's good that you don't forget. Perhaps 100 years on, we can reassess why
ReplyDeletePerhaps 100 years on all conflicts will end.
DeleteDear Subroto,
ReplyDeletePerfectly timed and told. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle.
DeleteSo sad. When will humans learn?
ReplyDeleteNot looking good at the moment, maybe that's why we are condemned to repeat history.
DeletePowerful snapshot, well written
ReplyDeleteThanks Iain.
DeleteVery powerfully told.
ReplyDeleteThank you Violet.
DeleteThat's very powerful. Wars are cruel.
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed. Thanks for your comments Gabi.
DeleteBeautifully done, Subroto.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dale.
DeleteLovely, we should never forget.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Thanks for your comments Michael.
DeleteI didn't know about all the Indians who fought in the wars until I came to India. My husbands uncle, a retired colonel, fought in hand-to-hand combat against the Japanese along side the British and Gurkhas in the Burma jungles. A great story in tribute, Subroto.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that personal connection Suzanne. At the height of the World War, more than 2.5 million Indian troops were fighting Axis forces around the globe. Over a hundred and fifty thousand Indian troops (including those from modern day Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh) died in the two World Wars. Largely unacknowledged in the past but that is changing.
DeleteI am not surprised that it has been forgotten... may we remember indeed, for so many reasons.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Björn. May we never forget their sacrifice.
DeleteA great tribute. Your narrator's experience would have been multiplied so many times during that war and all the others that followed (and preceded too). I'm glad he survived.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that I know about Anzac Day--perhaps from something you have written before. You have captured the desperation so well. There isn't much about war that's glorious, except perhaps the human will to survive no matter what.
ReplyDelete