History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days. ~Winston Churchill

19 March, 2011

Sleeping on the Western Front

Another very touching post, returning to World War One. Some of the photographs that move me the most are the ones that show soldiers asleep, looking so peaceful and often so young amidst the debris of war. I feel so sad for them; they shouldn't be there, they should be home in bed.



This is one of my favourite photographs from World War One. I find it incredibly moving. This miserable, military setting contrasted against this young and beautiful man, looking so peaceful in his sleep. Source




As the National Library of Scotland's description says, you'd think these men were dead except for the caption which says they're asleep. Sheer exhaustion...! Poor guys. Source


Asleep in the mud amongst ammunition. Source




Australian soldiers asleep in a front line trench. Source



Exhausted German prisoners of war. Source


These photographs, possibly more than any other, remind me that these soldiers were just people, just very young men doing what they could. So, so sad.

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