War letters. Hear them here.
Good morning. In case you're getting an error message on the iPM Blog page (I know I am) here is Jennifer's posting:
"Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, listeners share their letters and messages from loved ones and relatives sent away to war. The letters span World War I to Afghanistan and are written from the heart.
You can listen to the letters here:
Thanks to everyone who contributed, we've included more letters below. If you have a letter you'd like to send us drop us an email."
Listen to PM
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~10~RS~)
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Thanks for that link Eddie. That was one of the best iPMs I've heard. The letters were remarkable for lots of reasons, not the least of which was the wartime attitudes towards the 'enemy', which I found quite shocking:
On Germans:
"... as a race they are brutes of brutes and not fit to exist. They don’t do the brutalities out of revenge but simply as a result of their rottenness as a people...”
and on the Japanese:
“... I’ve spent the last fortnight chasing the Japs around and the people I was with killed quite a lot ... it's tough going through thick jungle and up vertical hillsides ... still it’s quite fun when you are chasing Japs and nice to bring in a few swords..."
It is sobering to think of the hatred and contempt people experienced at the time, perhaps it helps adopt the frame of mind required to kill others. Is it a good idea to remind people of the hatred? Is there a chance it might rekindle bigotry and an irrational dislike of today's Germans or Japanese?
Remembering the people who have died in wars and the sacrifice they made is important - shouldn't we also remember those who died on the 'other side'? I'm sure there were letters to mothers and sweethearts in Germany and Japan (of course, a lot more difficult for iPM to get hold of!) which spoke of the brutality they had witnessed from the Allies, whom I don't imagine all to be as 'squeaky clean' as they are often portrayed in the movies.
One of the most touching sentiments was this one:
" ... when [the war] does end I hope people will not forget what its done to us all... "
Amen to that.
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Very moving, and the letters were all beautifully read, esp Bill Patterson. As an observation to Lady Sue's coments above as regards to the way the soldiers felt about the enemy - I personally wasn't shocked. Surely in that environment of death and despair feelings will run very high. Witnessing comrades being murdered in cold blood would evoke such emotions.
I'm sure the enemy had the same thoughts. Isn't that called war?
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Sadly, it seems a necessity that the "enemy" be demonised. Perhaps if we could lay down this tendency once and for all, there would be an end to war....?
If wishes were horses...
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My randomised 'juke box' is just now playing "God on Our Side" The bootleg version with Dylan and Baez. How appropriate!
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Lady Sue, Although only a dramatisation of a novel, I'd urge you to listen to this afternoons Saturday play. All quiet on the western front - I'd like to think there are fragments of truth based on reality and it certainly illustrated compassion between soldiers on different sides of the front line.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00nmz8h
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Jonnie, thank you for the link. I heard (most of) it! Wasn't it superb? Funnily enough I was going to mention it in my post above, re. taking a look at wars from 'the other side' but I thought I'd probably banged on long enough. I didn't know it was going to be on or I may have.
It is such a moving novel and I thought was done extremely well. Thanks again.
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While "All Quiet on the Western Front" is required reading for the young and very famous (and the play was very well done), personally I find Erich Maria Remarque's "Three Comrades", a novel of Germany between the wars, the best - I treasured an old second-hand copy, which practically saved my life once, when I sank into despair and self-pity for a bit. Recently it was reprinted in the USA, I gave it to a 28 year old English student of mine and he returned it with the comment "I cried like a girl". So it has not lost its power and humanity. It very much addresses the point Lady Sue made above about understanding the fragile human essence and the motivation of the enemy. It is also one of the best tales of love and comeradeship ever written. Possibly my favourite after Master & Margarita.
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Eddie:
I am not getting an error message...Thanks, for
the excellent information in regards of the War Letters..
=Dennis Junior=
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On the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month, I remembered them. My mates that copped it, my father, who as Bevan boy did his best and to my grandfathers that fought bravely.
Jones - Sgt - G80xxxxx
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On a day when controversy surrounds a letter from the PM to the parents of a soldier killed in action I am reminded of the letter my grandmother received in 1940.
My uncle, Private Wally Robson of Gateshead and later of the Seaforth Highlanders died on what was possibly the first day of fighting in World War II. The company chaplain sent this letter to his parents. It was probably the first letter of this type he had ever written. .
P/95839
Reverend G C McCutcheon CF
2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
BEF
France
Tuesday 14th May 1940
Mrs B Robson
179 Radley Avenue
Gateshead
Co Durham
England
Dear Mrs Robson,
As the Chaplain attached to the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders I would like to offer you my sympathy in the loss of your brave son Private W Robson who was killed in action yesterday. As an only son I can realise a little what a terrible blow the loss of your son must be to you for I write because I hope that the three things I am going to mention may lighten your grief in some measure. First of all your son was killed instantly which means that he did not suffer much at the last but he passed in the moment of action to receive the eternal reward of his courage at the hands of Christ.
Secondly that you can be assured that your pride in your son was shared by his comrades. I have spoken to them and their admiration of his quiet character and cheery disposition was equalled only by their sorrow at his loss.
Thirdly you can be assured that the body of your son has received the honour due to the mortal remains of a gallant soldier and has been laid to rest in a beautiful place.
The sun shone as your son’s body covered by the Union Jack the flag under which so many heroes have served was borne to the waiting lorry. The firing party provided by your son’s company presenting arms as they did also when your son’s body was borne to its grave in the small new cemetery in the shadow of a lovely wood. The very appropriate service conducted by a Church of England chaplain (for I made sure that your son should have the service of his own church) was followed by a lament by a piper. Then a plain but handsome wooden cross made by the Battalion which after the war will be replaced by a tombstone was set at the head of the grave and then a last beautiful touch one of his friends placed on the grave a vase with bronze and yellow tulips so that the body of your son lies with other brave lads in soil that will be for ever Britain
Finally, while that your son has been killed is tragic the manner of his dying fighting the enemy in the cause and honour and righteousness could not be more glorious and there is the certainty of our Christian faith that your son is risen as a good soldier of Jesus Christ far above pain and death and while you cannot see this now he is as close to you as Christ is close to all of us. I forgot to mention that the Colonel thought that he would have liked to be present himself and did his best to be present was represented at the funeral by the second in command.
I’m now again expressing my sympathy. I commend you unto God our loving Father who knoweth your grief and can bring you that comfort that no human words can bring.
Yours very sincerely,
Gilbert C McCutcheon
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