6R diary entry - WWI

Here is Zoe's diary entry from the point of view of Tommo, a soldier in Michael Morpurgo's WWI story, Private Peaceful.

   17th December 1914

Dear Diary,

With Christmas heading our way, we never give up hope, for the war should be over by then, but our hopes fade away a little each day because men have seen what they shouldn't have. Nevertheless, nobody back in England could possibly realise what a treacherous state we're in; it is pure hell on Earth: a static killing-field. A futile, bloody mess, in which men, who have done nothing, are perishing. And for what? For nothing.

Today was one of the darkest thus far. I can hardly bear to narrate what events happened last night. For many hours - which seemed to last for weeks - I truly felt Charlie was gone. When I saw him approaching, limping, bloodshod, I thought I was seeing a phantom. Others, however, weren't so fortunate. You only have to turn around to see that our numbers have been decimated - and as for those who have lives to go on? We have been demolished, in body and spirit alive.

It all began at dawn, while we were making tea. There was a bellowed order. We glanced at each other; this was it. Fuelled by pure adrenaline, I managed to escape a few hours - I do not know how - unscathed, but what I saw in that time I will never be able to erase from my mind. All I can push myself to say is that after this futile war no man will never experience something like this ever again.

I wish I was back home with Molly and Ma and I want to get out of this hell on Earth, but Charlie says to not think about it and concentrate on not getting myself killed. But I do wish I was with all of them because I am scared and frightened here.

This evening we were informed that Sergeant Hanley is our new commander. We loathe him more than any dreadful Fritz. I can not imagine how I will go on; but I have no other choice.

Tommo.