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war
Photo essay on the Iraq war
By Will 2 years ago, mid-March, 1 Comment »
It’s five years since the Americans invaded Iraq. Not even the most pessimistic of commentators would have predicted they would have so much troops still in the country, half a decade later.
Reuters have produced a commemorative video – or rather a photo essay, which is even better for this particular subject. Anyone interested in journalism, photography (or, let’s face it, war in general) should not hesitate in clicking here immediately.
[via Sambrook]
Yes this blog is largely about cricket, but I occasionally post other things – particularly on journalism and photography
1 Comment »Prince Harry at war
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of February, 3 Comments »
What does it say about the modern world that Prince Harry can lead a “relatively normal life” as a soldier in Afghanistan, arguably more normal than his life in this country? Judging by the interview he gave to the BBC yesterday, his few weeks out there were probably the highlight of his life so far. Just let him get on with it; all this nonsense about him being a sitting target for the Taliban is ridiculous. He’s not strolling the wadis on his own. He’s part of the army and attached to the Gurkhas.
On the other hand, Mick Smith – whose always enjoyable blog often gives snippets of defence news that might otherwise slip by unnoticed – suggests we might have made Harry a marked man for the rest of his life. Isn’t he already? If the Taliban or an Islamic extremist in the UK wanted to take a pot shot at him, they could – regardless of his involvement in Afghanistan. He and the Royals are sitting ducks every day of their lives, so why not just let them try and lead a normal life – even if that is at war?
3 Comments »Like a grenade
By Will 3 years ago, mid-November, 6 Comments »
I’m watching a brilliant programme by Jeremy Paxman on Wilfred Owen, the great poet of the First World War, and in it they’re looking back on the “Great War” and the weapons that were used, grenades chief among them. For maximum distance, the soldiers were taught to throw them as though bowling “with a straight arm”. No ICC officers back in the day, then.
I was surprised to see a young cadet (or maybe he was in the full army, who knows) sell not a single poppy at Hammersmith yesterday lunchtime. I was further disturbed when one unmitigated bastard shouted “No” to him out of frustration. I doubt he knows what they even signify.
War really is a bit of a bugger. My Grandfather, who I never met, somehow survived the first war by riding a horse in France. That’s all we were ever told. His son, my uncle, then fought in Malaya in the 1950s and was shot through the stomach, again somehow surviving (though he lost all his hair within months). And again that’s all we know of it. I suppose it’s common for ex-soldiers to not say anything of what they saw, but you can’t help wonder…
6 Comments »
- 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 good-byes.
- 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.
