Thursday, May 12, 2011

World War I's Bloodiest Battle-- Part 1

From the Oct. 22, 2010 MailOnLine.

In honor of the recent death of World War I's last combatant, Claude Choules, I came across this article on the discovery of a diary by Private Bert Camp, age 25, and a carriage driver for the Royal Horse Artillery.

He never talked much of his war-time experiences, but did keep a diary. He was at the Battle of Ypres which lasted for six weeks during October and November 1914.

His diary was recently discovered and reveals the horrors of war.

"It was murder, as we could see the shells bursting from where we were and they were tearing holes into the ranks of the German infantry. Still they came on.

Their idea was to 'rush the guns.' But nothing doing, as they had no artillery with them. We shortened our range and gave it to them for all we were worth."

The next day, the fortunes were reversed.

"The Germans started shelling...and for two hours we had a lively time of it. Horses were getting killed and wounded, also drivers and gunners.

One team of black horses and the three drivers were smashed up into pulp as a shell burst in right amongst them. And I shall never forget the sight when the smoke cleared away, you couldn't recognize anybody as the flesh of man was mixed up with the horse."

More to Come. --Cooter

No comments: