Dear Journal, The amount of sickness here is unimaginable. What is even worse is the ability to heal and help! But who can be blamed? This is war and we are all doing our part to help. If one is to get hurt on the field, they either have to wait for the stretcher bearers who are assisted by the German prisoners occasionally, to retrieve them or are left to themselves to find a place where they can get medical attention. A terrible thing the doctors and nurses must do is classify all the wounded. The ones with dire need of attention get help first followed by the ones who were capable of waiting a few hours. The ones whose recoveries seem unlike are simply left to die. I understand that the hospitals were flooded with people dying, and hospitals were short staffed as well but the thought of some men just not receiving help seems cruel. A few of those ill and injured I've seen are those who have trench foot (the extreme swelling of one's foot), trench mouth ( an extreme pain in ones mouth that will cause bleeding), trench fever (a disease transmitted by lice). It was horrible seeing those wounded by machine guns and those suffering through burns due to poison gas. Some suffer through a difficult emotional state called shell shock. The Canadian Army Medical Corps plays a huge role in saving the lives of our men. Without them illness and injury here would that much more tougher.
Dear Journal, Life in the front lines is an interesting experience. It is not as glorious or adventurous as I had first imagined it to be, but with the right thoughts in mind it can be quite an adventure. There is a rotation set up. We spend four to six days in the front trenches, then four to six days again in the secondary trenches and lastly, four to six days in the reserve trenches. I enjoy this rotation because I'm not constantly stressed. In the front lines every morning we wake up at dawn. During the day there are numerous numbers of chores to be completed. However there is still time for some leisure. When night falls that when we are the busiest. We climb onto no man's land and fix the barbed wire, dig new trenches of patrol the enemies. It is quite dangerous. In the reservation trenches we have time for some leisure. The YMCA hut is where I met most of the men and we become good friends. Also sports is another fun thing to do. Previously I enjoyed hockey, but here we play many games of baseball. Although there is some fun many soldiers face low morale and are losing the willingness to fight. Some face shell shock and don't have the mental capability to continue fighting during the war. A few soldiers even cause themselves self harm! Unable to deal with the stress they help themselves with inflicting pain upon them self. I am thankful for the small dose of rum which we receive in the mornings and at night. It helps keep me safe. It is a funny thought but rum serves as a reward, medicine and combat motivator. My friend Alfred, tells me of the two leaves he's been on. Both were fourteen days. Although he did not get to return home to Canada, he had a great time visiting European cities. His favorite was Paris. I can't wait to go on my leave!
Dear Journal, We have fought through many battles throughout this war. Although I was still back home, the lucky men who have survived the Battle of Ypres, Verdun and the Somme haw told me the terrifying tales. Alfred a new colleague of mine told me the tales of the three battles which I did not take part of. The Battle of Ypres was the first time Canadians had experienced trench warfare. Poison gas was used for the first time in this battle and the French and Canadian troops had to retreat. Canadian troops had prevented the Germans from totally breaking the lines. The Battle of Verdun was a German attack and horrible casualties were faced. French itself had lost 500,000 men. The Battle of Somme was an attempt to draw the Germans away from Verdun. This attack was not successful and over 1.25 million casualties were caused. These battles are horrifying. The Battle of Vimy Ridge is one I can speak for myself. This was my first battle and I am thankful I made it out alive. Germany had control of the Ridge for three years. The French and the Britain had all taken attempts to regain the Ridge but were unsuccessful. Our planning was immensely thorough. Specialist roles were given such as machine gunners, riffle-men and grenade-throwers. After weeks of training using aerial photographs of the battle field. There was an artillery barrage that had isolated the enemy trenches and a moving wall of explosives which force the Germans to stay in their dug outs. This was the first time the four Canadian Divisions had attacked together and it proved to be successful. Unfortunately we experienced the loss of over 3,000 men and 7,000 injured. I am proud that I fought in a battle where Canadians were united for the first time and the bravery of our troops was shown to everyone.
Dear Journal, It is a bit strange seeing all these women doing jobs which have been traditionally considered men's jobs. Hundreds of women have volunteered to work as ambulance drivers or nurses. Such is a necessity however with the high causalities that occur. These nurses and ambulance drivers are needed here. Some women work for the Canadian Air Force as well. Where the help with motor transport work. Besides the initial thoughts of women working being strange, I am grateful for their help and sacrifices as well. Rose recently sent me a letter explaining that a women's role back home has also increased. With the shortage of men back home, many women have stepped up and are working in industry jobs or in banks. They also take over their husband's farms and manage them single handed. She also tells me how mother has joined in with the suffragette movement. The suffragettes are women who organize themselves to gain the right to vote. So far the Military Voters Act has the federal vote granted to women helping over seas with the war. I believe their goal is to extend the vote to all women. I am worried for Rose. Flying over seas to help with the war effort seems like her kind of thing. She doesn't realize how dangerous it is. I know father would never allow it and she is too young anyways. I just hope this war is over before she does reach the age to have the opportunity to fly overs seas.
Dear Journal, I didn't except to see the brutalities of war so soon. However living in the trenches has been such an experience. It often rains, causing water to pour down into the trenches and create mud. A few times there has been such a down pour that the mud and rain have reached all they way up to my knees! With the abundance of mud it is difficult to keep clean. The trenches already are grimy and the scurrying rats sure do not help. At least they help decompose the dead bodies. Unlike the lice and other pestering insects which serve no purpose, besides irritating all the men by crawling over our bodies. A common disease in the trenches is trench foot. The feet of men swell up to three times their normal size and due to the mold and dirt. Oh how I'd give to take just one long bath back home. There is always a foul smell in the air as well. The rotting dead bodies leave a distinct stench. This scent reminds me that soon I will have to go over the top. It worrying because no man's land has a dreary air to it. The trenches are normally considered safe except for the worry of a gas attack .The first had occurred on October 27, 1914. The Germans had fired 3,000 gas shells into our lines. We have taken many precautions to be prepared for another attack. Many observations occur and men stay up to awake those asleep just in case a gas attack does occur. As well as the use of sprayers and fans to remove the lingering gas. If not the sanitation to worry about the commotion of machine guns, riffles, and explosive shells are heard constantly. A few of the older men today advised me to listen to the noises. The heavier shells rumbled very loudly where as the smaller shells whined.
Dear Journal, It was on November 11, 1918 when Germany signed the armistice. The war was finally over. I am shocked that I am still alive. Now safely back home with my family it is strange. I had gotten used to life overseas. How much more easier and simpler it is here than life in the trenches. I missed my family dearly over seas. I don't think I realized how much I did until I arrived back home. We are blessed that both Henrik and I were able to return home safely. I work for a factory now. Helping to boost Canada's economy back to it's original state. Although this job is draining and keeps me very occupied. My mind often wanders back to the war. I feel "Survivors Guilt". I often wonder why I survived the war when others haven't. I am happy that I have survived and this makes me guilty. Some nights I face nightmares of the terrors of war. The sound of bombs and shrapnel shells. Sometimes I feel as if the aroma of dead bodies and blood really is in my room. I wake up drenched in sweat, unable to fall asleep again. Thankfully these are not a common occurrence. Thankfully I do not have much shell shock. I met a girl here too. She is very impressed with me going out to war. Her name is Marionette. We plan on getting married real soon. I am excited! The war was a life changing experience. Waking up every morning not knowing if I'd live throughout the day was stressful. Making new friends and not seeing them a week later was heartbreaking. Watching Canadians fall down and get slaughtered will be etched in my mind forever. Thinking of forgetting the war seems impossible.
Dear Journal, There are many different weapons that have been used in this war. I was at first equipped with a Canadian Ross Riffle and a bayonet. Then later due to some problems with the riffle I was given a machine gun. The Riffle was a good one for hunting but did not work well in the trenches. It tended to jam after rapid fire. We were given a British Lee En-fields. These proved to be much more efficient and was able to fire fifteen rounds per minute. Father's letters told me that the replacing the Canadian Riffle with a British has caused some stir with the government. They were accused of failing to support the troops over seas. I am just thankful that now I have a weapon which works. We also use hand grenades which are very effective. They are egg shaped and can be thrown thirty meters and cause a large explosion. Artillery is also useful for our type of warfare. The 18 Pounder Field was used to fire sharpnell shells and gas shells. I constantly fear of a sharpnell shell, because the trenches do not provide much safety from them. There has been some advancements of the tank.It was used first at the Battle of the Somme. It is immune to machine gun fire. The tanks were able to cross trenches but unable to break through German lines. It was also slow and had mechanical errors.
Dear Journal, Yesterday I received the great pleasure of meeting Arthur Currie. After our victory at Vimy Ridge, Sir Currie replaced General Byng, and was the first Canadian to command Canadian troops. In my eyes he is a hero! Some of the men while they appreciate his smarts and strategic planning, feel he is lacking charisma and don't like him much. I however am inspired by such a great man. He began as militia officer. He then moved on to command the first Canadian Division. Many men say that due to his careful preparations and willingness to demand more guns before a major attacked saved many's lives. I tend to agree with them. For I first hand saw some of Curries strategic planning during the attack of Vimy Ridge and saw his leadership during the Battle of Passchendale. Before attacking Vimy Ridge the manoeuvres were practiced thoroughly. The ridge was bombed continuously for three weeks in order to weaken the Germans. The preparations were made almost to perfection, trying to ensure the safety of as many men as possible. During the Battle of Passchendale, General Currie's excellence in leading was shown. He was concerned about the lives of the men and said that the town could not be taken due to the inability of the troops to move through the mud. Although he was overruled and the attack was to commence, we were able to take the town and hold it until reinforcements to come. General Currie is a great leader. Meeting and talking with him has been one of the few positive experiences of war.
Dear Journal, Today when I walked into the town square the signs again, caught my eyes. Along the streets there was an abundance of posters and signs. You can't even get a break while reading the newspaper even. All questioning my stay here at home. These posters sure know how to reach my heartstrings. I sympathize for those whose families have lost their husbands, fathers and brothers. Yet I also feel ashamed that I am not among those men. A few are questioning my stay at home. Others encouraging to purchase war bonds and few even advising the necessity of rationing. You can't escape these questioning. The war has now been occurring for two years. Joining the army has crossed my mind several times. Why am I relaxing here at home while men just like me are sacrificing their lives? I certainly am capable to fight for my country. I want to fight for my country. However the thought of going years with out seeing the family is dreadful. I'd like to see young Howard mature into a man. As well as watch Rose fall in love and marry. Heading off to sea might mean I will never see these dreams come true. At least father would be extremely proud. Working with the Mayer it would be important for his own son to partake in the war. What a shame it would be if I didn't. I wonder what Henrik is thinking. Hopefully he is okay with my decision of enlisting. Maybe he'll even enlist with me. I have decided though. Tomorrow I will enlist for the army. My fate has been sealed. I am awaited by glory and sacrifice.
Dear Journal, Although the war is over, I am still not home yet. I'm anxious to return home for I've been gone for two years. The letters from home have kept me updated though, on all that has been occurring back home. I don't except it to be the same when I return home. How can it be? So many have lost their husbands, brothers and sons. It is difficult to fathom the pain and grief that they are suffering through. Mother told of the rations which were brought in. It must have been difficult having the limit on their food but I am grateful that they did otherwise we would have had less over seas. I do hope that it stops soon. Father mentions of a new tax, the income tax. It is meant to be mandatory. The war had cost Canada over $1 million a day. This would be hard to earn back, but maybe with the victory bonds, we will be closer. Germany was forced to pay all the reparations, which does seem a bit cruel. However if it'll help with the economy it might seem a bit less cruel. Looking at the war politically, it has been beneficial to Canada. We gained independence from Britain. Our bravery during the battles has shown the world that Canada is a brave and independent nation. At the Paris Peace Conferences Canada even had a separate seat from Britain. Along with our autonomy, this war has helped women gain the right to vote as well. I know mother and Rose are happy of this achievement and I can't wait to return home and see their new found happiness!
