I am sending this letter in the dark and gloomy trenches that wind all along the french and German border. I must say that the conditions here are less than pleasant but that is to be expected with war. I am still in fit condition though, so i had better not see anymore letters talking more about my well being, and more on you and our children. These trenches are a foul place to live in my dear, they fill with mud and refuse and we can't get out without risking the constant mortar and rifle fire above our heads. It is definitely a hard place to be, but rest assured no harm has come to me. What worries me is the incoming winter, and the weather that it will bring. Our feet are already immersed in unclean water, it will not serve to have them freezing as well. It seems we also share these trenches which are filled with swarming rats which have become huge in size due to the dead, so much so that we have to have dogs in our trenches to curb their population. Having to deal with snow and the cold as well as this would be mortifying. Thankfully these are not our permanent homes during the war. Every 4 days we move forward to the next trench until we meet the front lines, and once those four days are over, we are relieved and taken to the back of the fighting to recuperate. My division and I have been to the front line once so far, though i doubt it will be our last. In our only time there, we heard of the other soldiers talking of "going over the top", and they explained to me it was when we charged up and over the trenches, into no mans land, and fought to capture the enemy's. That was truly a frightening though, why would they do that when they have hundred of automatic guns firing thousands of bullets at them, not to mention the grenades and artillery. It turns out that was the only way to advance, a terrifying prospect. These conditions would drive weaker people insane, I think, but thankfully my fellow soldiers and friends have the time to talk and laugh with each other, and to enjoy ourselves in whatever way possible, no matter how small. Remember now, keep the kids well, and please get the crops in before the cold sets in. Maybe you could sell some of our bushels to the government to feed the troops, it seems any contribution is graciously accepted in these condition.
Saturday, 9 March 2013
October 20, 1914 (trench warfare)
Dear Eve,
I am sending this letter in the dark and gloomy trenches that wind all along the french and German border. I must say that the conditions here are less than pleasant but that is to be expected with war. I am still in fit condition though, so i had better not see anymore letters talking more about my well being, and more on you and our children. These trenches are a foul place to live in my dear, they fill with mud and refuse and we can't get out without risking the constant mortar and rifle fire above our heads. It is definitely a hard place to be, but rest assured no harm has come to me. What worries me is the incoming winter, and the weather that it will bring. Our feet are already immersed in unclean water, it will not serve to have them freezing as well. It seems we also share these trenches which are filled with swarming rats which have become huge in size due to the dead, so much so that we have to have dogs in our trenches to curb their population. Having to deal with snow and the cold as well as this would be mortifying. Thankfully these are not our permanent homes during the war. Every 4 days we move forward to the next trench until we meet the front lines, and once those four days are over, we are relieved and taken to the back of the fighting to recuperate. My division and I have been to the front line once so far, though i doubt it will be our last. In our only time there, we heard of the other soldiers talking of "going over the top", and they explained to me it was when we charged up and over the trenches, into no mans land, and fought to capture the enemy's. That was truly a frightening though, why would they do that when they have hundred of automatic guns firing thousands of bullets at them, not to mention the grenades and artillery. It turns out that was the only way to advance, a terrifying prospect. These conditions would drive weaker people insane, I think, but thankfully my fellow soldiers and friends have the time to talk and laugh with each other, and to enjoy ourselves in whatever way possible, no matter how small. Remember now, keep the kids well, and please get the crops in before the cold sets in. Maybe you could sell some of our bushels to the government to feed the troops, it seems any contribution is graciously accepted in these condition.
Dearest Love, Daniel Wadsworth
Sources: Social Studies eleven Students Workbook, Canadian at war 1914 - 1918 Donald M. Santor, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiyWP7EM0tg
I am sending this letter in the dark and gloomy trenches that wind all along the french and German border. I must say that the conditions here are less than pleasant but that is to be expected with war. I am still in fit condition though, so i had better not see anymore letters talking more about my well being, and more on you and our children. These trenches are a foul place to live in my dear, they fill with mud and refuse and we can't get out without risking the constant mortar and rifle fire above our heads. It is definitely a hard place to be, but rest assured no harm has come to me. What worries me is the incoming winter, and the weather that it will bring. Our feet are already immersed in unclean water, it will not serve to have them freezing as well. It seems we also share these trenches which are filled with swarming rats which have become huge in size due to the dead, so much so that we have to have dogs in our trenches to curb their population. Having to deal with snow and the cold as well as this would be mortifying. Thankfully these are not our permanent homes during the war. Every 4 days we move forward to the next trench until we meet the front lines, and once those four days are over, we are relieved and taken to the back of the fighting to recuperate. My division and I have been to the front line once so far, though i doubt it will be our last. In our only time there, we heard of the other soldiers talking of "going over the top", and they explained to me it was when we charged up and over the trenches, into no mans land, and fought to capture the enemy's. That was truly a frightening though, why would they do that when they have hundred of automatic guns firing thousands of bullets at them, not to mention the grenades and artillery. It turns out that was the only way to advance, a terrifying prospect. These conditions would drive weaker people insane, I think, but thankfully my fellow soldiers and friends have the time to talk and laugh with each other, and to enjoy ourselves in whatever way possible, no matter how small. Remember now, keep the kids well, and please get the crops in before the cold sets in. Maybe you could sell some of our bushels to the government to feed the troops, it seems any contribution is graciously accepted in these condition.
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