Dispatched Into Conflict Beyond Its Due Time
In a poignant narrative penned by Paul McCann, the story "Sent To War Too Late" follows the journey of two young Irish soldiers, Gerry and Colm, who are sent off to fight in a war, only to arrive too late to participate in the major battles.
As the war rages on, Gerry and Colm make their way through their homeland and onto the warfront, their hopes and fears shaping their experience. The narrative delves into the emotional and psychological impact of war on these young men, who miss the intense fighting but are shaped by the waiting, uncertainty, and the struggle to find meaning in a conflict that feels both distant and overwhelming.
The final assault had begun, and the air force began dropping bombs on the hill where the enemy had been firing from. Gerry and Colm were given uniforms and guns and marched through town towards trucks and armored cars. They were told their mission was to march into a town three miles away to take control of a camp where some of their soldiers were held as prisoners of war.
However, when they arrived at the camp, they found that the enemy had surrendered and the war was over, according to the news. The attack had lasted for ten minutes and relentlessly pounded the hilltops around the beach. Gerry and Colm, filled with fear about the prospect of fighting in a foreign country, were filled with relief at the news.
The commanding officer, recognising their eagerness, called Gerry and Colm to his office and expressed surprise at their desire to enlist. He reminded them that soldiers have dignity, a value system, and camaraderie, and are more than just weapons of war. He emphasised the importance of discipline and moral code for a soldier.
Colm defined a soldier as brave, strong, and someone who refuses to show fear. Gerry added that a soldier stands strong and fights with all their might. Colm also stated that a soldier carries the flag and is proud to serve their country.
Throughout the story, themes of youth, the loss of innocence, camaraderie, and the harsh realities of military life are explored. "Sent To War Too Late" conveys the irony and tragedy of war—not only through the direct horrors of battle but also through the quieter, often overlooked experiences of soldiers who come too late to fight but who are still forever changed by the ordeal.
- In the midst of general news, the announcement of the war's end brought a surge of relief to Gerry and Colm, the young soldiers who had been sent off too late to participate in the major battles.
- Despite missing the intense fighting, the experiences of waiting, uncertainty, and the struggle to find meaning in a conflict shaped Gerry and Colm, just as politics and war-and-conflicts shaped the lives of many others.
- As they returned home, Gerry and Colm, now ex-soldiers, found solace in sports, particularly football, as a way to cope with their experiences and reconnect with their pre-war lives.
