What's Next?

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So I finished up the Fall of Berlin story, which wasn't quite aptly named as the story was on the periphery of that battle. But once I picked the label, it sorta stuck. I wanted to just keep going, perhaps see Dieter Krafft and Liesl tie the knot then somehow make it to the west before July of 1945, which is when the area where they crossed the Elbe wound up under Soviet occupation and eventually became part of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik, i.e. East Germany.

Or maybe they got stuck there and had to suffer the consequences of living under Communism. I wasn't sure which way to go, so with the end of the war, we arrived at the end of the story as well. Of course, though the war ended, the survivors' lives went on. Much like the story. I might revisit those characters in the future. We shall see.

As to what's next, I really don't know.

While looking for photographic inspiration I ran across that photo above from the National Archives. Two Marines on Peleliu, no doubt wondering "What's next?"

The Marine on the left looks young, but he's seen the elephant¹ and he will never be the same again. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing depends on many things. Combat affects different people in different ways, but it leaves its mark.

The Marine on the right looks like he's seen it all before, this ain't his first rodeo. But like the Marine sitting next to him, his life has changed, forever.

Why this photo from the Pacific war you might ask, will we see a story set in the Pacific? I really don't know. It's tempting. I'm far more comfortable writing about the ETO. I lived in Germany for over seven years, I used to speak the language (I still do but damn my German is rusty), and I had good German friends and neighbors. Although I'm not Volksdeutsch, a lot of people who know me think I am. I guess that's what happens when you immerse yourself in a culture/history/language.

I'm also comfortable writing about historical events in the American past. I have dabbled with the Unpleasantness of 1861 - 1865 but that event still evokes strong emotions among my countrymen. So for now, I'm shying away from that subject, but my perverse nature will probably draw me back that way. Especially as I am nearing completing the reading of Shelby Foote's magnificent three-volume history of that war. Simply brilliant and very readable. If you have any interest in that war, read it. It's damned good. It's history and it's very well-written.

That being said ...

I'd write more on the Napoleonic Wars but there seems to be limited interest in such a thing. Why do I say that? Well, the page hits for those stories aren't that great. While I don't write to get page hits, I do like knowing that there's enough interest there to keep writing. We'll see. I don't get paid to do this, the fact that many folks are reading is my paycheck, so to speak.

Now what was that all about? I like to write from both (or multiple) points of view. Though the recent vignette was exclusively German, I have written from both sides. To do that, you have to understand both sides.

Which is where I stumble when it comes to the Pacific war. I don't really understand the Japanese. What makes them tick? Why was their behavior in that war so appalling? How does a military force exhibit such amazing bravery and such cruelty all at once? If I was to write a story of the Pacific war, it might be rather one-sided. Though I'd be tempted to write of the Japanese side, I'm not sure I could do that accurately and fairly. I admire the Japanese but I don't "get them." (No matter how many times I read Shogun.)

So that's where I'm at.

If any of y'all have any ideas, let me know in the comments.

I'm still rather shaken at juvat's recent mishap. Another reminder that time is moving, perhaps faster than I can handle it. I've had a few friends and acquaintances pass away recently and it's jarring. Getting old ain't for sissies.

When I posted the link to that post on the Book of Faces, a number of folks thought it was I who had crashed. Apparently juvat in a neck brace looks enough like me to confuse folks. There are also a number of my friends on the Book of Faces who don't always read the blog, not real fans I guess. I get it, you see a picture, under my name let's say, and think, "OMG, what has Sarge done now?" Dinnae panic, I'm fine, but juvat could use a prayer or two. So if you're the praying kind, toss a few his way (and Mrs. J as well, she's responsible for juvat's care and feeding as his significant other).

Speaking of significant others, mine has returned from the Land of the Morning Calm.

And it's very pleased I am.

Be seeing you.

¹ An expression which I believe originated in the Mexican War.