Impression Sketch;
Gas attack - By Jamie Mann. An
original images can be seen at: http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/gasoorlog/gifgasslachtoffers.html
As one Canadian told his story of
silent bombs,
The troopers were entrenched about
Ypres,
Whose skills at digging to make
trenches were
Noted -to be complimented by General
French.
With everyman in the pink, ready as a
fit fiddle,
All anxious to fight – setting up
their machine
Guns, the chance came and they fired
in their
Positions about the Belgium town of
St. Julien.
This action worked as an attraction
for reply -
As did presence of Red Cross –
Shrapnel fire
Started to fizz down and susceptible
officers
Despite their wounds - fell as men in action.
Troopers clung onto the triggers and
kept guns
Rattling – the Canadian Highlanders
told how
Three close shells burst - to
strike him on the leg
And head – A reminder to know what
war was.
In honesty of warfare came the
unknown, shells
Cracked like eggs in the air, to
release a green
Yellow vapour – they came in numbers
and did
Not disperse – a small ‘puff’, spread into clouds.
The strange vapour grew heavier; it
spread then
Descended, appearing like a mist that hangs
Over water at sundown - the belief was that this
Over water at sundown - the belief was that this
Acted as attack screen - they fired
into the mist.
A surprise of seeing the strange
cloud in the air
Left it unfolded drifting as a
silent shroud, as it
Rolled down into the trench - a stench
of fumes
Gripped the throat, throwing
irritation into noses
Eyes forced to shut - was a question
of the smell
An easy question proved difficult to
make answer.
He said, a mild version chemical
works was only
Comparable effects; mostly the wounded
suffered.
The most helpless lying suffocated in
condensed
Air - everything was covered in its path
by powder.
Such an effects were impossible to
continue life.
The Canadian had struggled to stand with
his leg.
His blood from the wound on his head mixed with
Tears, caused by fumes -
in decision to move
He damaged the machine gun and began to
crawl
Unsure if he was moving towards enemy
direction.
To do what he could for an
injured pal the Canadian
Dragged him along with him, so they reached a field
Dragged him along with him, so they reached a field
Station-despite efforts for the man he died,
knowing
Himself luck to live; his wounds
were then healing.
As he spoke the irritation from the green
vapours lay
In his stomach – The young Canadian
Highlander
Expressed keenness to get back - to help to regain
Their places that the Canadian forces had suffered.
This brave Canadian believed that his home country
Would raise more volunteers, to step forth for every
Loss - the news of the fog bombs would encourage
Those men wanting to fight in an 'above belt' war.
Would raise more volunteers, to step forth for every
Loss - the news of the fog bombs would encourage
Those men wanting to fight in an 'above belt' war.
From the Doctor's view the report was that these
Canadians were the most happy wounded-amongst
Canadians were the most happy wounded-amongst
their number one cheery fellow having lost
both
Hands, when a shell hit, as he used a
machine gun.
Even this man without any hands pleaded to
return
In order that he could be useful – many are
ready
To die for the old country – their true loyalty
will fill
Places until they all return home to honour
scars.
The Doctor's job was then to fix
them all up to send
Them back into the line; this was where Canadian
Men want to go - while the man spoke of
the bombs
Easily enough, he reluctantly spoke
of his friend.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915. Poison Bombs - Canadian's Experience
- Heroic Conduct. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 29 Apr. P.7. Col.1. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11561784/Daily-Telegraph-April-29-1915.html
[Accessed: 29 April 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication,
29 April 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Gas #WW1Canadians
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