D-Day Analysis

D-Day +1; some say we’re over the hump, but I know the trials and tribulations of this Battle have only just begun. Activity throughout the night inhibited rest for myself and my fellow men, and the cocktail of misery from yesterday leaves a bad taste in our mouths. I, by the grace of God, managed to get two hours of sleep, but was jolted awake with the weight of today’s duties; to capture the ominous Suribachi (1). Capture it and we win, fail and we die. The responsibility of this crushed down on my heart like an elephant slowly cracking my ribs. I awoke to a room full of men all with the same emotions painted across their faces; their eyes darting across the room, beads of sweat pooling in the crinkles of their foreheads. We were truly all on the same boat. …show more content…
Our battalion was instructed by Colonel Liversedge to veer left; the 3rd right and the 1st to wait in reserves (2). He planned to have the strongest of the group infiltrate the mountain and incircle its base, whilst the others maintain a steady inward thrust on all located cliff positions, in search for adequate routes to the mighty summit. I fall into the former category, and must gather myself to maintain my sanity in preparation for what could be the last day of my life. I comfort myself in the thought that this proved untrue yesterday, but then again, its truth lied in William’s demise, God rest his soul. In the wake of his death, I dedicate this journal to him, and whoever may find it one day, please pay your respects. Whoever you are, scanning these words and looking for the deeper meaning. Stop. Close the book, kneel and pray. Pray for a fallen hero. I likely will not have time to write until tomorrow night, so I savor these final moments, pen in