[ WP ] Write your own version of a historical event from the point of view of a minor character .

`` Private James, get yur arse over here!'' Our superior officer ordered. 
 
 I complied and joined the circle of men to listen to our superior officer. 
 
 `` We will be making a frontal assault so that we can take the Somme River.'' He told us quickly and then wavered his eyes to see who would first oppose him. 
 
 Two men fell to the floor and wept. One man kissed a picture of what looked to be his wife. A few men left the circle to chant bible verses. The rest of the soldiers stared onward as they got the news. 
 
 `` Any man who does not comply will be shot.'' Our officer added gravely as he cocked his revolver. He added, `` You all will line up and press yourselves against the trench. When I say charge you will run as if hellhounds were biting at your feet! You will all go in 5 minutes.'' 
 
 `` Yeah we will all go meet our maker!'' One man, Private Allen said boldly with a dark smile. The officer glared Allen in the eye and kicked him hard in the worst spot imaginable. 
 
 The officer continued, `` Today will be a historic example of us ending the Great War with our heroic assault of the German occupied territories!'' 
 
 I was not convinced, nor were my peers. I glanced around and looked a few of them in the eye. We all had the same idea, but no one would want to be the first to initiate. There were 17 of us and we could easily take down one man... 
 
 `` TWO MINUTES!'' The officer barked. Some men were shaking violently, sweat running from every pore. Others were looking down the barrels of their guns, wondering if it would be quicker that way. I kissed the cross that hung from my neck and prayed to God that I would come home to see my pregnant wife, Sally. I already knew what name I had planned for the boy. 
 
 `` THIRTY SECONDS LADS! Press up against the trench and may god be with you all!'' I waited. Every soldier chose to follow the orders, so I did as well and nulled any thoughts I had of treachery. 
 
 It was the seconds before that always hurt the most. Men were screeching what seemed like a battle cry, others trembled and looked as if a simple push would knock them over. We knew that almost all of us would die but we also knew our names would not. it would be our heroics or lack thereof that decided the outcome of this battle. They would probably name this battle the fight for the Somme River or the Final Battle or something like that. 
 
 All was quiet. I could not hear any gunshots or anything at all. All that I could hear was my frantic breathing. At the top of his lungs, the order was given. `` CHAAAARGE!'' 
 
 We began to yell in unison as we charged towards the Germans. We broke our line formation and ran at different paces. As I ran, I looked back behind me. Two men laid in our trench with small bullet-holes in each of their heads. The officer's revolver glistened in the sun and was engulfed in smoke. I gave our officer a hiss and that continued on with my comrades. 
 
 As I turned around, the sight made me puke and fall to my knees. One man gripped his innards as his chest seemed to have been opened up. Two men lay in a ditch on top of each-other screeching in pain as both men had little to remain of their legs. Around 4-5 other men in front of me were laying in the mud with multiple bullet holes lining their uniforms. I ran onward. 
 
 To my right a shell rocked the Earth and sent one of my comrades to kingdom come. A large crater had replaced the ground suddenly I acted in instinct. I stopped running and dove into the hole with my dead comrade. I lifted his body out of the ditch and then lay myself into the ditch. I then grabbed his body and put it on top of mine. I turned my body so that I faced the ground. 
 
 I tasted three things: blood, shit and mud mixed with shit. I would not die for my god-forsaken country. I would not kill for my country. I would not follow the orders of those who do not put their lives on the line as we do. 
 
 Somehow and from somewhere I found peace and I slept. 
 
 
 `` And that is the true story of how I survived WW1.'' I told my grandchildren. I knew they would probably brand me as a coward, but I did not care. I wanted to get the story out of my system. 
 
 Little Henry responded, `` I would n't be here if it were not for you. I love you grandpa.'' I wept sadly to myself as I embraced him in my arms. 
 
 
 
 

