All the photos in the wallets on the battlefield
Good Evening Clash people, hope all is well on your corner of the planet. Today was Veterans Day in the States – Remembrance Day in the UK and I’m sure that globally remembering those who have died in foreign wars has some special day on your calendar. I mention it because as I kid I grew up just a short drive from Stansted Airport which was built by the the US Air Force in WWII, both of my grandfathers had roles in that
Stansted Airport 1944
war and as a little tyke my fascination with the Battle of Britain and all things ’39-’45 was quite pronounced. All it took was a drive up to London to still see parts of the city that were still not rebuilt, or an hour or two with my grandparents explaining just how uncertain the future seemed back in those days. Sadly war is rarely the answer (ever?) but even though the last 40 years have made us question so many political decisions made by the USA and Britain that have led to war/occupation (and your nation too I’m sure) I insist we spare a thought for those who put themselves in harms way – especially without a draft or conscription. This decade has seen one balls up after another, Afghanistan looks as hopeless to the West as it was for the Russians all those years ago. My point being – support and honour the troops – those alive and dead, and battle for a government that represents your values and not some caricature of being British, or American, or “Christian”. I don’t support the decisions made by our governments but the soldiers are not the problem. I only hope the post battle care these people receive is of the caliber it should be — I have my doubts.
As the decade comes to a close I’m hugely disappointed at the opportunities we’ve missed to improve international relations. The chance for better cultural understanding and awareness has been taken by some and yet ignored by so many. The intolerance caused by religion or nationhood (on both sides of the fence) is as tribal and uncultured as it was 400 years ago, or 1200 years ago. I read about the Crusades when I was a kid, never realising we’d been doomed to repeat history once more. I’m waffling about this as (wrongly or rightly) much of my interest in world affairs and history was shaped by The Clash. Crazy though that may sound when Strummer wrote about ‘The Bay of Pigs in 1961′ or “Spanish Bombs” or “The Hunger Strike came marching South” I remember going to my family set of Encylopedia Brittanica (remember those big red bastards!? pre-internet) to try and learn more. I’m not naive enough to pretend Strummer nailed every issue right on the head, moreover he had some inconsistencies in his statements (who doesn’t) but he had the heart to speak up. The Clash wanted to politicize music, or at least Bernard Rhodes wanted the Clash to do that. Whichever the case may be – the Clash didn’t write love songs, they wrote music that asked questions.
In his later years Strummer wrote and talked a great deal about global culture, global awareness and integration, I think Mick acted it out just as sincerely via his actions. If the legacy of The Clash for me is very different than it was for you I respect that. I hope I’m more informed because The Clash sparked my interest, I hope I’ve encouraged more understanding and less separation because The Clash made me look at my values. 25 years after they split I still know they shaped who I’ve become – if music can do that I believe that to be a positive thing. I know the world has never been perfect nor will it ever be, I think slowly (very slowly) that social awareness is returning to the fold but apathy still bites at everyone’s ankles in the West on a daily basis. As for the soldiers, two World Wars caused untold misery in so many places. Young people fought and died because they were either told to or felt they had a cause to fight for. We forget how many Russians died in WWII (over 23 million!! consider that fact), we neglect even knowing how many of the ‘enemy’ died in each of these wars. Every loss has been a tragedy to a parent, sibling, child or spouse. Perhaps in ten years time I can write a happier review of the decade. When the veterans we honour are for wars that all ended long ago. As Eddie Izzard said, ‘The Italians didn’t want Fascism, they wanted to zoom around on their scooters saying Ciao’
Thanks for that really thoughtful post, Tim, it was a pleasure to read and gives me hope knowing that there are others out in the world of similar mind.
Thanks Shannon, I hoped to avoid a ramble which I fear it became…
Shannon,
There are millions of others in the world, perhaps even billions of a similar mind. The problem is that they’re rarely heard these days. There has definitely been a growth of recognition in the UK for the sacrifice that countless thousands have made in wars over the years. What’s so terribly sad is that for supposedly intelligent beings we seem to be condemned to repeat the same mistakes ad infinitum.
I spoke to a twenty two year old British soldier at an event a couple of weeks ago who has already seen active service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He’s seen friends and colleagues injured and killed. He has far more courage than I will ever have, following orders from his superiors, directed by a failed government without purpose or direction, yet unquestioningly loyal to his colleagues. It is not the fault of our armed forces that they find themselves embroiled in an illegal war which cannot be won. How could I bring myself to tell him I was at the very head of the biggest anti-war protest in British history before the Iraq War had started. By then it was a done deal and many knew it.
Yesterday was the first Remembrance Day in the UK where there were no veterans from WWI. Harry Patch and Henry Allingham both died earlier this year in July within a few days of each other. The BBC have shown some excellent programmes this week and as if Joe’s views needed any affirmation then just watch the accounts from the ‘Salford Pals’ of the first Battle of the Somme.
Alternatively, if you’ve never read any poetry, then just read this one which affected me so deeply at a very early age….
DULCE ET DECORUM EST by WILFRED OWEN
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.
Gas! Gas! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,
And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime…
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.
If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.
Wilfred Owen was killed in action on the 4th November 1918 and news of his death reached his family on Armistice Day, the 11th November 1918.
Pete,
London.
ANTHEM FOR DOOMED YOUTH by WILFRED OWEN
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls’ brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
Hi Pete,
I probably didn’t express myself fully, I do know there are others out there…you’re right more accurately it is that it’s just not as often heard. I strive to surround myself with like-minded folks, both in the “real world” and via all the newfangled routes online, so it’s nice when I stumble upon others. I appreciate the way in which Tim articulates his thoughts. Thank you so much for the poems, I have and do read poetry, but had never read either of those.
Take care!
Shannon