A Soldier’s Diary

Sharika Kaul

June 1942

Monday

I am stuck in this terrible horrid place; the malodorous smell of blood is everywhere. On top of that, we are stuck in these trenches that are so clammy at night, we can’t even leave to sleep outside because we might get shot or blasted. The Warfield doesn’t just malodour of blood it’s also covered with it, every inch.

Boom! You can hear the sound of bombs exploding. You hear the hear the soldiers’ shrill scream every time they die, but I know that I’ll survive this war and go back to my family, I miss them so much, the taste of a homemade meal is in my mouth, making me drool.    

Tuesday 

Yesterday another group of people died, I am starting to get distressed, if people keep dying, this war will end but Germany will win and get what they came here for. Everyone is saying we should let them win and surrender so that we will survive. I tell them to remain positive so that we win.

The food and water running out so we better hurry this up. Today morning, the Germans were trying to mutilate us a lot; you could hear the cackle of the guns; the wind moaning and feeling bad for the dead soldiers’ families, and the soldiers themselves and the poppies crying for peace.  

Wednesday 

Yesterday we were fighting until late at night but we both got tired  

and went back to our trenches to sleep. The thing with war is that you always have to be alert no matter what. Being alert isn’t always easy especially when you are sick; this isn’t like school, here you stay to fight. The reason I say “fighting is not easy when you’re sick” is because today I woke up sick, but I have to stay alert because, well, my life depends on it! The other soldiers won’t look out for me even though I’m ill, they are more focused on surviving, this how war is. 

Thursday 

I really miss my family and surely the miss me too but my illness is getting worse and I’m starting to get tired more frequently. But what if… I mustn’t even think about it. Even one that isn’t superstitious doesn’t dare to think about it.

Life in war is very different to how life is actually like. When I get it home it will probably feel like it is a 5 star hotel.

The difference about my job and any other job is that I can never have a holiday when it is a working day, but anyways I am still fighting for our country. 

Friday 

My sickness is bad, now I’m really worried. The Germans know that we are outnumbered and they have started approaching our trenches and shooting us. I’m starting to think that surrendering wasn’t such a bad idea.