“Where are they?” I demand of Lieutenant Friess as I move away from the field glasses mounted atop an outcrop of the observation trench within newly captured Fort Douaumont.
“I don’t see any.” He replies while looking through his field glasses less than a meter away.
The French are nowhere to be seen.
Behind me flows a trickle of broken men; Limbs, eyes, jaws, ears, hands, all missing. Instead of reserves coming up, we have casualties heading back.
We should be attacking right now, while the French are in disarray. But how can I attack with this?
Read MoreBeginning with the first steps by Japan and America toward imperialism with the Sino-Japanese War and the Spanish American War, The 20th Century's War can be defined as the collection of wars all relating to each other from 1894 through to today. This war has not yet ended, nor will it likely end in my lifetime. At some point, it may even be called the 200 years war, or the 300 years war, or who knows what. Yet, from my perspective, it's The 20th Century's War because it defines that century, and the lives of everyone who lived within its confines of time.
Read MoreI’ve next swig,” Horst calls from behind me as I fumble with the bottle opener on the Barolo.
My fingers are numb from the bouncing steering wheel, thereby slowing down my already alcohol-impaired ability to do anything requiring fine motor skills.
“Damn it, Peter, I’m thirsty!” Horst yells as he kicks my seat from behind.
“I’m opening i….”
BOOOM BOOM BOOOOM BOOOM BOOM BOOOM BOOOOM
Before I can say the word it, a series of explosions rock the beach, spraying sand and dirt into the Kubelwagen from all directions.
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