Armistice Day

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The Germans used gas widely throughout the battle, where Alfred in this tale was wounded. During the war up to 12% of casualties among Australian soldiers resulted from gas attacks. The anti-war poem Dulce et Decorum est by British soldier Wilfed Owen partly inspired my story Armistice Day, describing a bombardment of gas-shells and the "...ecstasy of fumbling..." by soldiers to fit helmets and I presume respirators, where poem's narrator sees a man caught in the green gas cloud and feels helpless as the man is "...guttering, choking, drowning."

Wounded survivors were sent to convalescent hospitals in Britain, often set up in manor houses, then either returned to operational units or sent back to Australia for further treatment and discharge from the military. I am unsure if soldiers were billeted with civilians while being treated, so I've taken a fair amount of artistic licence here and not based it on historical accounts. However, I have read accounts of soldiers in The First World War billeting with French families when away from the front, often entire units being put up in barns, and I've also read accounts of individual soldiers billeting with families in Australia during the Second World War. Thus Alfred's stay with Carmel is not beyond possibility.

As for Chloé, the oil painting hanging on the wall of Melbourne's Young and Jackson Hotel, she's real. Painted by French artist Jules Joseph Lefebvre, she has graced the pub since 1908 where she has enchanted several generations of servicemen who have written to her from the battlefields of WW1, WW2, Korea and Vietnam.

Alfred has a one-track mind, getting home to Queensland to find his mate Will's wife and child, and thus, his story will continue in a stand-alone sequel I hope to publish soon, titled Prussian Blue.

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43 Comments
AnonymousAnonymous3 months ago

If you want to see the picture of Chloe, it's in Wikipedia.

AnonymousAnonymous8 months ago

Best story I’ve read on here. If you aren’t already, you should consider evolving your talent and writing professionally. Your historical and situational description are excellent, and your dialogue is clever, witty and sharp. Thank you.

AnonymousAnonymous11 months ago

I believe he will never find love as he had with Carmen and her daughter. Regardless of Prussian Blue.

Boyd PercyBoyd Percy11 months ago

I gave this story a 5 but never left a comment! I recently saw a news report that the USA finally finished destroying all their gas bombs. They were using robots near the end since Sarin gas is highly toxic.

oliveauoliveauabout 1 year ago

A wionderful bit of writing. A nice slow gentle build up to the action. Sex scenes beautifully constructed and beleivable. Well done. I looke forward to more.

AnonymousAnonymousabout 1 year ago

Great story. Captured the essence & character of Aussie diggers in WW1. Great descriptions of Aussie geography for International readers.

12 out of 10.

FranziskaSissyFranziskaSissyover 1 year ago

The unforgivable essence is “the so thought most intelligent being, breathing fresh air, is the most stupid one and having learned not a little bit after killing each other for thousands of years” ….. im so kind of “depressed “ with such knowledge and just having a closer eye on such happenings, how much pain distress bad memories horror will survive in a huge amount of human beings …… its a shame that we are not able to live peacefully side by side …… so this story is soooooo sad , but nicely written and of course just of your hard work so intense so intriguing so gripping

💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫 ten stars for all former soldier and families left behind

AnonymousAnonymousover 1 year ago

Wonderful. Can't say anything more. 10 out of 10

Mike9947Mike9947over 1 year ago

Dark - as is the literature of the period - with everyone left hanging - whic was real life for many in that generation. Sad.

ThefirefliesThefirefliesalmost 2 years agoAuthor

For those of you who have enjoyed Armistice Day, I have published a supplementary piece, Carmel’s Unsent Letter to Alfred, in the Letters and Transcripts category as part of the Letters of Love 2022 Story Event. TFF.

wish_thinkerwish_thinkeralmost 2 years ago

What can I say, certainly nothing surpassing all the positive comments below. Thank you!

outlaw29coutlaw29calmost 2 years ago

A well written story. As a Vietnam Vet, I know the dreams and distant stares. I was in an Army Helicopter Company. We had one Aussie Company in our Battalion. They were great guys to party with. I will have to read the next story to see if his homecoming is better than mine.

AnonymousAnonymousalmost 2 years ago

With out a doubt in the top 3 stories her on literotica. Great character development, well done background and story, and the sex is hot and believable. 5-stars. Please write more.

AnonymousAnonymousalmost 2 years ago

I do wish to know if Alfie comes back. What happens to Will's Mary and Jack as well.

Great story.

ThefirefliesThefirefliesalmost 2 years agoAuthor

Thanks for the positive comments. I’d like to reiterate for any readers who missed it, the sequel to Armistice Day is titled Prussian Blue, and can be found in the Romance category.

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