September ?, 1915

"I have recently been stuck in an unknown bunker in an unknown trench with an unknown man. I have survived with the cartridges I found on my dead squad's bodies. The bunker has been encaved from mortar and artillery fire where I have survived several days by having my shambles of spirit and concrete keeping me company. The haunting laughs of Germans have become my dreams and nightmares, while hoping to survive. I would fight my way out and hopefully die as a hero...but sadly my leg is broken and my blood-dried clothes have given me false hope leading to me laying here for hours with the constant drips of blood and rain falling on my face. I dream about the warm fire and beds back home in my village near London, but what starts as a dream, ends up as a rude awakening with the moist mud surrounding me. Why was I here again? The constant pounding of fresh Earth and vibrations made me realize...Germans...Loos...a battle? Yes...a battle...Hill 70..i think? Why is this important...we failed and men are dead..why not me? Doesn't matter now, I have decided to use the broken rifles of my comrades to splint my leg, I have courage to kill any Germans I see...a couple of grenades? No problem. I see the yellow-green gas in the distance..coming to take me and be my guardian angel...10 shots in my clip...one bayonet...and enough courage to kill an army...Let's go Tommies, over the trenches again."

~Unknown Tommy, Unknown Regiment, Known Courage--Battle of Loos