Humanity In War…Stories

War is not glamorous. War is not something to be used as a first response, but rather as a last resort. War does not create heroes, but it does bring out the hero in certain men and women. Believe it or not, humanity can still exist in the midst of war.

For example, as I write this, I am looking at pictures taken during wartime. In one, World War One British and German soldiers are tending to a wounded British soldier. The only visible rifle is leaning against a rock. These are enemies—tasked at killing each other—doing what they can to save the life of a fellow human being. Another example is an American soldier in World War Two sharing the Christmas package he received from home with a group of Italian children. Sitting atop a pile of rubble, the generous soldier is the center of attraction for ten children that have lost almost everything. These are just two examples from two separate wars. Each war, each conflict, has witnessed this type of humanity.

When deciding to write about war, it is important to remember that the war in your story is being fought by men (unless you are writing a science fiction tale.) Sure these men and women have objectives—take this particular hill, capture or free a certain town or village, avoid capture—you get the picture, but the main objective of most soldiers is to do their duty and make it home in one piece. In the midst of the bloodshed that fills your story, remember that. Even the ultimate enemy soldier can be made more believable, more sympathetic is you reveal a glimpse of his humanity.

I’ve written a few short war stories, and my focus is not the battles themselves, but the men in the battle. Combat is an intense and emotional setting, but like any real world conflict, it takes the lives of the soldiers and the civilians to show both its humanity and its inhumanity.

Just thought I would jot this down.