The Diary

Emile

August 12th 1914

"I started training at the military camp today. I can't help thinking of Karl who's probably doing the same in Germany. The declaration of war has created havoc. I hope Marie and the neighbors managed to finish the harvest in time."

August 20th 1914

"We spent yet another day walking. We heard cannon fire for the first time today. I don't want to have to kill. I must stop thinking about it and get some sleep."

March 10th 1915

"What a day! My life was saved twice today: first by an American soldier and then by a dog. But I'm free at last.I saw Karl, before the bombing. I hope he made it out alive. I'm going to try to find him."

April 22nd 1915

"Karl is alive. I caught sight of him flying a Zeppelin heading south. We're going looking for him again tomorrow, with Anna and Freddie."

June 15th 1915

"I'll never be able to thank Anna enough for saving Karl after the Zeppelin crash. Knowing that he's no longer at the front and that he's a POW has put my mind at rest. I'm so relieved he's safe from harm. I hope Marie is doing okay in Saint Mihiel despite the German occupation."

February 21st 1916

"This morning, shells came raining down on our sector. Freddie was out in front and was lucky to pull through. I had to play cannon-boy to dig him out of there. I was awarded a medal, but I'd much preferred a leave of absence. I hope Karl's okay. It was such a relief to receive Marie's last letter."

May 8th 1916

"Sad day today, Freddie and Walt perished. May their souls rest in peace."

May 9th 1916

"Freddie's alive! He's earned his nickname "Lucky Freddie". And big brave Walt pulled through too. Things aren't so grim after all."

May 14th 1916

"What happened in that POW camp? Why did they shoot Karl? I hate this godforsaken war. How can I tell Marie that Victor will never see his daddy again?"

April 16th 1917

"What have I done? Why all the bloodshed? Why all the killing? This war is senseless."

Freddie

August 12th 1914

"At last, I can't wait to get fighting. Maybe it'll ease some of the pain I feel inside."

September 7th 1914

"I missed them by a whisker. It won't happen again. My younger brother's letter was sweet. It gave me a real boost. It's good he's back in the States, miles away from this nightmare. That kid has a knack of getting himself into trouble."

March 10th 1915

"On the march to Belgium where this damned regiment is stationed. I'm not alone at least. I met a funny old French farmer guy, Emile. Doesn't say much, but if I understood right his son-in-law's German. How crazy's that? Not a day goes by that I don't dream of you."

April 22nd 1915

"Those freaking shells nearly did it for me. There's no way I'm giving up so close to my goal. Apparently their leader's called Von Dorf. I'm going to get him. Everybody else are just pawns in this game, just like me."

June 15th 1915

"How much luck can a guy have? There's this huge cathedral here, makes me think of you. They sent me back to the army. It's not going to make my search any easier"

February 21st 1916

"Emile saved my skin again today. What a deluge of shells! I got to write to my younger brother. He's worried about me."

May 9th 1916

"Everybody calls me Lucky Freddie. If only they knew... It's not luck, it's you up there, shining down on me, showing me the way. I think about you every day, sweetheart."

September 15th 1916

"I couldn't do it. I had his life in my hands and I couldn't do it. Killing him wouldn't have brought you back and you wouldn't have wanted to see me kill. He wasn't worth it. Nothing's holding me back here now. If I survive this damned war, I'll be heading home."

April 9th 1917

"At least you've been spared this madness. The whole world has gone crazy. Even my younger brother wants to enlist. I have to talk some sense into him. He has no idea of the hellfire and damnation going on here. It was a glorious victory today with my Canadian comrades. But at what price?"

April 16th 1917

"My friend Emile was arrested today. What on earth did he do? What got into him? I hope he wasn't among the mutineers they are all talking about. I'll go see him tomorrow."

Anna

August 1st 1914

"The bells all over Paris started chiming at 4 pm this afternoon; it was eerie. Somebody in the street told me it was for the troop mobilisation in case Germany declares war. I'll write to father to find out what's going on in Belgium."

September 7th 1914

"The situation is horrific here. Yesterday I was in my warm cosy apartment and now I'm in the depths of hell. There are so many dead, so many young lives lost. I managed to save one soldier this morning, but there are so many others to tend to. Tomorrow I'll try to get closer to the front so I can help those most in need."

March 10th 1915

"Another endless day. For every life saved, there are so many lost. Those poor young men! Mutilated, disfigured for life. I cannot abandon them, even if all I can do is hold their hands as they slip away."

April 22nd 1915

"Father has been captured by a German regiment and taken away in a zeppelin... He who's so scared of heights... They probably know about his research, please father don't try to be a hero work for them, I don't want to lose you. I'm on his trail and these two soldiers I met are after the zeppelin as well."

June 15th 1915

"I was so frightened when I saw the Zeppelin crash today. Fortunately father wasn't on board because the Baron had already taken him away by aircraft. I managed to saved Emile's son-in-law before they sent him to a POW camp. His legs were in a critical state. I'll be going with him to make sure he's all right."

May 9th 1916

"Dear Lord, Karl is dead. He always spoke about his son, Victor, and when he told me that Victor was sick, he had a strange look in his eyes... He must have tried to escape to see his son. It's awful. How am I going to break the news to Emile?"

May 14th 1916

"I've found my father at last... And thank you Freddie for pulling him out of this hell. I daren't talk to Emile anymore. Karl's death has crushed him."

September 15th 1916

"Emile's morale slumps by the day. He hasn't had any news from Marie or Victor for months. It's probably because Saint-Mihiel has been cut off from the world. I fear the worse. I'm going to visit them. Surely they'll let a nurse through the lines."

February 3rd 1917

"Miracles do happen sometimes, Karl is alive! That was quite a smart escape: dressing the dead guy in his clothes actually worked. We have crossed the lines, and we are so close to our goal. I hope they let me out of the infirmary. I'm going to try to find Marie's farm. Karl is being held at the barracks. They suspect he's a traitor."

April 9th 1917

"We made it. Karl, Marie and Victor are reunited at last. It was so beautiful to see them together. The image of them will give me courage to return to the front and tend to the wounded. There's still so much to do."

Karl

August 1st 1914

"It feels strange to return to Germany. At least Emile can take care of Marie and Victor. Things should calm down in the months to come. It's all so meaningless."

August 21st 1914

"Emile! There! Right in front me! Sprawling on the ground! Why did his regiment have to come up against mine? I hope he pulls through. He's one tough cookie. I must find out what POW camp he's been taken to."

March 10th 1915

"At last I've found Emile, just moments before the shells started flying. I hope he's managed to dodge the bombs. The letter he showed me filled my heart with joy. Marie is well and Victor is growing up. That's all that matters."

April 22nd 1915

"This morning in Ypres, Von Dorf made us capture some scientist. The army is interested in his work and apparently he'll help Germany win the war. He seems like a nice fellow, but it's hard to find out anything else about him. Von Dorf is keeping him closely guarded. Not a day goes by that I don't think about my Marie and my little Victor. I haven't seen them for eight months now. I miss them so much."

April 25th 1915

"Victor is one year old today. My God, I miss him. How long is this war going to last? If only they could assign me to Saint-Mihiel. The Germans are still holding the town."

May 8th 1916

"I've been stuck here in this POW camp south of Reims for 11 months now. My health is picking up and I'm even walking again at last. All thanks to Anna. Marie's last letter worried me. Victor is very sick. And they don't have the resources to take care of him in Saint Mihiel. I must get out of here."

May 13th 1916

"I managed to get away without taking a bullet. It was a close call. Poor Wilfried saved my life. I've got to get to Saint Mihiel. Hold oon in there, Victor, I'm coming."

September 15th 1916

"I've been trudging through the countryside for 4 months now. I'm so hungry but I can't approach villages. I did try but they recognised my accent. I nearly got myself arrested. I must be careful."

January 18th 1917

"I was going to give myself up this morning, but then I saw Anna and she saved my life again. Now we're driving to Saint Mihiel. My poor feet will never forgive me. I don't know how we'll cross the frontline, but I know these hills; we'll find a way"

March 2nd 1917

"I'm not a spy. How many times do I have to tell them to make them believe me? Having served under Von Dorf isn't helping matters either. If only I could see Marie and Victor, just for one minute. I have to know they are safe. But seeing them means getting out of here first."

April 9th 1917

"They're here with me at last, sweet Marie and my little Victor. I don't ask for anything else from life."

Marie

August 12th 1914

"After Karl, it's daddy's turn to leave. Why did they have to call him up? Wasn't it enough to expel my dear sweet love from these lands? Why do they want to put daddy in uniform? He's too old to fight. And now they've left me all alone with the harvest on the way and Victor to take care of."

August 24th 1914

"That letter gave me such a fright. Poor daddy, he's been wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans. I don't know if he's seriously injured, and if he's being well taken care of. I've been told prisoners are allowed to receive letters. I shall write him tomorrow."

September 25th 1914

"Today the Germans invaded Saint Mihiel. Fortunately the troops spared the farm. I took shelter in the cellar with Victor. Now what's going to happen?"

June 21st 1915

"As he grows, Victor reminds me more and more of Karl. Not a day goes by without me thinking of him. The Germans are requisitioning all our crops. There must be food shortages in Germany. I managed to hide some for next winter. I can't wait for this stupid war to end."

March 18th 1916

"Victor is sick. He hasn't eaten in 3 days. He's all pale and weak. He needs meat, but I have nothing left to give him. I hope he improves soon. Karl's last letter reassured me. He can walk again. There's a nurse taking special care of him at the POW camp."

September 15th 1916

"Still no news from Karl or daddy. It's been 4 months today. What has happened to them? I must stop worrying. Maybe it's simply that letters aren't getting through. I daren't imagine the worse. Victor needs his father and so do I."

April 9th 1917

"At last we're together again. I have dreamed of this moment for so long. It is for real? I wish time could stand still."