"Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die" is a quote from Herbert Hoover the 31st US President. That fact has been reality since humans first organised themselves for combat. As young men (and increasingly woman) continue to die for their countries, it is also a fact that in each army (as anyone who has served on a front line knows) there are also staff officers who sit behind the lines, taking decisions that affect those risking their lives at the 'sharp end'. These can be good or bad, and it is the bad ones that rankle young soldiers. Siegfried Sassoon won the Military Cross in trench warfare in WW1 but increasingly became disillusioned with many aspects of military life. His poem 'Base Details' sums up the view of many young soldiers, even today.
Showing posts with label the youth must fight and die. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the youth must fight and die. Show all posts
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
The old send the young to die
"Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die" is a quote from Herbert Hoover the 31st US President. That fact has been reality since humans first organised themselves for combat. As young men (and increasingly woman) continue to die for their countries, it is also a fact that in each army (as anyone who has served on a front line knows) there are also staff officers who sit behind the lines, taking decisions that affect those risking their lives at the 'sharp end'. These can be good or bad, and it is the bad ones that rankle young soldiers. Siegfried Sassoon won the Military Cross in trench warfare in WW1 but increasingly became disillusioned with many aspects of military life. His poem 'Base Details' sums up the view of many young soldiers, even today.
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