Chapter 4 (Arthur Kirkland)
After the fall of Poland, the entire British Army was on guard, but there was this lingering belief that they, the British, were save. War was there, but none of the young soldiers really understood what that meant. Blinded by an idealistic view of patriotism, heroism and an unrealistic view on what it is like to go to war. Arthur's 12 men that he was in command of, his squad, were juniors, most of them having served for less than two years. But in the wake of the wave of drafting, his men were still more experienced than most. Even though – what does experience mean, really? Without even standing on the battlefield once, could they really call themselves 'experienced'? But not even Arthur questioned this very truth. He knew he had to trust his men, his brigade, his division – and in the end, the British Expeditionary Force. He had to trust every level and every commander to do their job and to do it well.
In April of 1940, the British Expeditionary Force was mobilised as a reaction to the German invasion and occupation of both Denmark and Norway. It was unbelievable to Arthur how all these countries could just be overrun. In Denmark, they couldn't even find the time to counterattack. In Norway, the Germans attacked by air, sea and with their Panzers – and even though there were some battles, nothing that could actually be called a war. But now, where there was absolutely no other way than west for Germany to move, the BEF was called in to support the French army as rumours spread that the next targets would be the Benelux states before turning south to France. Being told that they will have to hold the Maginot line while parts of the French army would try to encircle the approaching German invasion force from the southeast of France, Arthur informed his squad that the time to go has come. They didn't know when the invasion would start – but no one doubted that it would come. Those illusions had perished.
'Dearest Mother,
I now will go to France. My division will, as part of the British Expeditionary Force, support the French army to secure their boarders. I am excited, but I leave home with a heavy heart. I think about you and father often. I wish I could have seen you before my departure. Yet, this all moves so rapidly, I simply cannot wait. Do not be scared, mother. I know you never wanted me to join the army, but I know we are all fighting for the right cause. I leave London behind, knowing that its symbolism is worth defending. Father has always said that when he faced the Germans in the great war, that he knew that his death would be worth it in the end. I do not think of death. I only think about what lays in my hands, in the hands of my men and our division. The fate of our people, and the fate of our kingdom. So do not cry when you are in despair, as we do not cry when embarking on this mission.
Until I return to England, this will most likely be the longest letter you will receive from me, mother. I will write you whenever I can. I hope that, even when you are scared for our lives, you will find the calmness to be proud of us. I really wish to make you proud by serving his majesty and the kingdom of England.
In my darkest minutes, I will think of you and father. I am grateful that the two of you were always there for me. Now, now it is my time to be there for you and our country.
With the deepest of love.
Your son,
Corporal Arthur Kirkland'