Episode 13

This episode features three longer stories, starting with Pilgorepax's tale about his great-great-grandfather from Ontario, Canada. His ancestor was pulled out of a Montana state prison in 1916 for accessory to murder and enlisted in the 113th Lethbridge Highlander battalion in Alberta. Despite numerous challenges, including injury and frequent infractions, he served bravely in WWI. After recovering from his injuries in England, he married and settled back in Ontario, leading a stable life post-war. Pilgorepax is working on a book about his ancestor’s life, aiming to honor his legacy.

The second story by Sharlin648 revolves around a humorous and chaotic training exercise in the British Army. The narrator was attached to an Engineering Workshop in an Air Defence Regiment and served as the 2IC’s driver. During a TESEX exercise, they had to attack a battery at night, leading to a series of comical misadventures involving getting lost with a satnav and a dramatic encounter with a Challenger II MBT. The story highlights the unpredictable and often amusing nature of military exercises.

The final story, "16 Days in Gaza," by Every_Comfort_3129, details a harrowing experience during the 2014 Gaza conflict. The narrator, a young private first class in a squad leader course, describes intense training and the anticipation of crossing into Gaza. The story captures the chaos and fear of urban combat, the loss of comrades, and the resilience required to endure such a demanding environment. Despite the extreme conditions, the narrator reflects on the surreal nature of war and the impact it had on him and his fellow soldiers.

But please, send your own stories into us at [e-mail]