I endured training for weeks. It was harsh. Officers constantly yelled at me for the slightest of mistakes and often punished me by giving me extra duties and drills. On top of that, we barely get any sleep, but I kinda expected this kind of treatment from our instructors, so I pushed on. I can't just leave my family hanging off the cliff of bankruptcy, quitting isn't an option. Weeks and months of training passed by until I was transferred to the 21st Bavarian reserve infantry regiment along with Erich and some of the other friends I bonded with along training. Rudolf and Enri.
It was April. We were called to line up in the field of our regiment hq. Our superior walked in front of us to deliver the news. "The Supreme Army Command has issued an order for us to be transferred to the Western front." My eyes looked at Eric to see him trying his best to hide is excitement. Once it was all over, Eric told the three of us about how thrilled he was. "This is our chance to become heroes! British and French newspapers will know us and will give us scary nicknames to strike fear into our enemies hearts while we are hailed as saviors to our people!" All of laughed and chuckled and Enri told him: "You have some wild dreams man." Rudolf cut him off and said. "And then you get shot the second you step out of the trenches." Eric still maintained a smug look and told all of their doubts. "Haters will hate and doubt. Watch me lead into battle!" We all had a great time that night.
At the train, all four of us were very nervous, I tried to comfort myself by remembering what I'm fighting for, my family. Rudolf told Eric with a smile under his shaking and nervous face. "You look nervous, hero." "Every hero meets fear in their first times." Rudolf replied nervously while maintaining his cheerful facade. "Whatever you say."
After a sufficient amount of time. Exiting the train, boarding a truck with my buddies, and then walking, we finally made it to the trenches. The soldiers in them had faces of exhaustion and lifelessness. One of them speaks. "You look no younger than a highschooler. Why decide to end it all here?" "I needed a job." Another raises their eyebrows, sips on their coffee then speaks. "You chose the worst kind of job. I'd rather be homeless and beg on the streets than be here. You should go home boy." "I can't. I got a struggling family back at home." The soldier sighed "It's not even gonna matter. You're just gonna die here." I nervously looked around the others and took a deep breathe. "It's a gamble I'm willing to take, even if I die, my family gets compensated. The best thing I could do is just try to live for them." He scoffs. "I like you. You're a brave one. Come, with me. I'll teach you our routines." Throughout my time with him. I learned that his name was Albert Schutz, but his actual name is Pierre Champagne. He was a Frenchman born in the Alsace-Lorraine region of our country. He didn't reveal his name because he knew he'd be bullied by the other soldiers. Poor dude. Nonetheless. I was carrying supplies and doing night patrols around the trenches, nothing weird.
Days have passed. I didn't face much combat and was just in the support trench and just on guard duty but I hear artillery shots from time to time. As I was fixing up some barbed wire, I was called for to go in a dugout. There I saw Eric, Enri, Rudolf, and Albert all sitting down in dirt. Once they saw me, they moved aside and gave me a spot. Once my entire company was there, the officers started briefing us in. "At 5pm. We will use chlorine gas weapons approved by General Erich von Falkenhayn to hide the transfer of our men to the East. We will attack Gravenstafel ridge" The NCO opens up a map and the officer points at the two villages. "Ofcourse, we'll use the chlorine gas given to us to show our enemies hell and make fighting easier. Be ready until then." The officer leaves to brief on the other soldiers.
Gas? What a weird weapon. You gotta be impressed with technology nowadays, they'd call you crazy and laugh if you said that it was a weapon just a century back. It's currently 10am. I should prepare my stuff and myself mentally, it's gonna be quite a battle. Enri called for me and shouted. "JOHANN!! Let's get some lunch. The others already rushed to the kitchen to get there before the line got bigger, come on." After we took our lunches from the kitchen. We all gathered in the dugout and began eating our meals. Rudolf speaks up. "Erich, you excited?" Erich scoffs, despite his nervousness being as clear as day. "I'll be the first soldier to march unto Paris and bring back 1871!" Rudolf laughs. "Just make sure to mention me when that happens, alright."