Survivor!

They're all dead. Practically all of them. I found this diary on the body of a dead soldier, seems his name was Benny or something of that sort. Looks like I'll be dead soon, hiding in a puddle hear, I'm half drowned. I feel like a rat. Oh well, may as well go out being optimistic. We might be remembered. This young one called James was crying out in pain, I quickly popped a cap in his head and he was dead. Moany bugger. Might have given away my position. Oh well. I'll be found soon anyways.

Jerries are still shooting over my head with machine guns, making sure all the bodies are dead. They'll see my body soon, and shoot it. Maybe I should move, to th-

Goin' over

13th October, 1914

The order's been issued. We're going over. An' chances are we ain't comin' back. This is the biggest regret of my short life, I'm such a damn idiot. Those fast firer's the Jerry's have got will rip us to shreds. I won't see another sunrise, I know it. I just know it.

The damned High Command only just gave the order, and they seem so damn smug about it. They don't realise they're just sending one hundred men to their deaths. Or maybe they do. Maybe britain is ruled by slaughter mad animals. It doesn't matter anymore. I'll be damn suprised if we win this war. Looks so grim right now.

Not that I'll be there when the end comes. No, my body will probably lying about 50 feet from where I am right now. Or maybe it will be used as a stepping stone for muddy swamps. I know one thing for sure. I'm dead meat.

Benny died as soon as he was spotted by Germans, killed immediately by machine gun fire.

Trench life

30th August 1914

Pah, best deal ever. Ye right. As soon as we got 'ere some lad got shot through the 'ead by a Sniper. His body still ain't bin moved. I can smell it now. Fun. We're in der trenches now, and it's awful. Rats and lice everywhere, and they've only just been dug! Our first mission: To make another awfully crafted trench. No glory in dat. Girls back at home can't know what we're really doing, so most of the lads is lying, saying that they killed 50 Jerrys today, when they've just spent the 'tire day digging.

31st August 1914

Last night was awful. I didn't actually sleep. At one point, when my eyes were tight shut, I heard this scratching. It was annoying. I opened my left eye to see a damn rat clawing at my pityful excuse for a pillow! I jumped up in suprise and immediately stamped on the running, squelling creature. It's body is printed into the floor now. Hehe.

The trench system is finished now, those french know how t'dig. They was faster than them 'ere weightlifters you here about on der wireless. Now it's gettin' borin'. Der food 'ere is awful. Schlup, I've nicknamed it. Looks like what it sounds like, if ya know what I mean. I'm not really sure whether it's better than nothing, can't really tell. It's tasteless. Rats and Lice are everywhere now. EVERYWHERE. They're cheeky little buggers.

We began digging tunnels dis afternoon, hoping to blow up the Jerrys right under der feet!

Travelling to France

29th August 1914

My name's Benny, and I joined the Pals Battalion on the 28th August 1914, yesterday, along with roughly one and a half thousand other men. Sounds great fun, we should be back by Christmas! Don't have to do much for glory, eh? This'll be easy, and make me' girlfriend happy. If she don't cheat on meh.

My best mate Donny joined just after me, and we're on our way to the trenches now. Just before leaving we had a great meal, bacon, eggs, everythin'! We're almost at that 'ere French frontline now, should be great, just a few days in the trenches and we get a load of glory! 'a! Brilliant. Best deal EVER.