The End



I checked my watch and looked again at my colleagues. They too were hoping and yet still not quite believing. Could this really be the end after so long or was it just another lie after so many lies before over the last few years. But the rumours were there and they were strong rumours that peace was about to break out. The Armistice had been signed and soon they would not be trying to kill each other as they had been for so long. Soon we could go home but to a different world and a different way of life. And we would be asking had it been worth it, had the constant slaughter achieved anything or had it been just a pointless, evil waste.

Then came the news; it was official, it was all over. A few men cheered, a couple were quietly sobbing but most us sat quietly saying very little and staring into space I think we all had difficulty in grasping or even believing the truth; it really had come to an end and it really was time to go home.

Soon it was hailed as victory, not just for the Allies, but for mankind. Lessons would be learned they told us, never again would we repeat such criminal folly, this truly was the war to end all wars.

I duly smiled but I was not so sure.

Tony Roberts

This story is taken from Tony's collection "Twenty Tales from the War"




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