This is a short story, in 1048 words.
It was prompted by the above photo, sent to me by Darlene Foster.
https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/
Pablo looked back at his platoon following in a ragged line. They were exhausted, clothes in tatters, and their eyes stared blankly ahead as they trudged along. Sixteen men, two young women, and a mere boy, with not a recognisable uniform on any of them. Even the armbands had lost their colour, now more pink than red. The rucksacks were slack and empty-looking, with little ammunition in them, and all the food had been eaten last night.
Pulling the cap tighter on his head, he tried to cheer them along. “Come on friends, once we get over the hill, you can rest”. He didn’t blame them for not being interested in his false enthusiasm. They all knew that they were probably going to an eternal rest. When Captain Bordes had left with the rest of the company, he had urged them to stand firm. “If they get past us, then you will have to stop them. Be brave! Listen to your Lieutenant, he will guide you well”. Pablo had looked at his shoes after that remark. He was no longer sure he could guide anyone.
It had all been so different at the start. The fervour to defeat Franco and the other Fascists brought thousands of volunteers out onto the streets. They rushed off to the Aragon Front unprepared, to discover that enthusiasm was no substitute for military experience and better weapons. But they had held Madrid, helped by the International Brigades, and it seemed at times that they might still succeed.
That had melted away with the snows of last winter. Now, all but a fool could see it was over. The original regiment had dwindled to a company. Many had been killed or injured, but just as many had walked away, missing at morning roll call. It was said they were heading for refuge in France, but Pablo had no intention of deserting his platoon, his cause, or his country. He had managed to find enough serviceable rifles for everyone, even though that meant he would have to rely on his small pistol. He had even got the old lady to wash and press his threadbare uniform, in the hope that it might give inspiration to the forlorn group.
When the Captain didn’t return from the front with the others, everyone knew they had been lost. Whatever tiny seeds of hope remained were scattered that day. When they marched out of the small market town that morning, nobody bothered to see them off, not even the small boys. Shutters remained closed, and the few people on the street looked away as they passed. Pablo had chosen to make his stand at the old church, the one that used to be Saint Gregory.
Once the war had started, they had driven off the fat priest, and threatened him with worse if he ever showed his face again. For a long time after that, they used it to house all the chickens. But now those chickens had been eaten, and half of the townspeople had left long ago. It was just over a small hill, not a long walk. But today it felt like marching through treacle.
He could have built a barricade in the market place, and hoped that others might join in the defence of their town. But what use was that, with no more guns or ammunition? And it would put the women and children in danger, once the firing started. Best to occupy the church. They would be coming from that direction, and at least the fight would be away from the residential area. For the tenth time, he fiddled with the ancient field glasses in their battered case. Then wondered if he really wanted to see what the Nationalists would be throwing against them.
Amazingly, the bells remained in the twin towers. He was surprised that nobody had taken them for scrap. The interior still smelled of chickens, and there were old feathers everywhere. The three men who had been carrying shovels began to dig a trench outside. No point everyone getting trapped in the building later. Best to fight in the open and die in action, when the alternative was to be lined up against a wall and shot.
There was young Garcia, the only one who had never been in combat before. Standing to attention, barely taller than his rifle. He handed him the field glasses. “Here, take these. Climb up to the roof, and get a good spot by one of the bells. You can give us a warning when you see the Fascists”. The boy was pleased to be singled out for such an important task, and hurried off to do as he had been asked.
Watching the others as they did their best to throw up a wall of dirt, Pablo thought about the time when he was afraid to go into a church, scared of what the priest might say, and what penance he would receive for minor infractions. Now here they were preparing to use a church as a bastion, with no thought to the previous sanctity of the building. No wonder the shifty townsfolk had refused to watch them leave. One day soon they would be back, giving what they could not afford, to supposedly save their souls.
All those years, all that sacrifice. Gone in an instant.
It was getting overcast now. The sun was shielded by clouds. He rubbed his aching knee, still painful from where a bullet had grazed it more than two years earlier. Can it be that he was really only twenty-five? He had seen much, and those sights had aged him. He could hardly remember the faces of his mother and sister as they waved at his departing train.
Screwing up his eyes, he concentrated. There she was. The dark hair, a headscarf framing a face creased with worry.
Garcia was at his shoulder, pulling the field glasses from around his neck and handing them over. “Lieutenant, they are here. Perhaps a hundred, maybe more. And they have trucks and artillery”. He smiled at the boy. “Take your place, and thank you for your keen eyes”.
Pulling up to his full height, and adjusting his cap, Pablo gave the last order he would ever give.
“Stand to, comrades!”
Very interesting story of the young men and women who fought for their country’s democracy. Living in Spain I know there are some who remember and others who do not wish to. But agree we do have to understand our histories and a short story like yours is a reminder of the personal lives lost.
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Thanks very much for giving us the point of view of someone in Spain, which I appreciate.
Sadly, the politics that inspired and helped Franco look set to become popular in Europe once again.
Best wishes, Pete.
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There is opposition from those who know their history and understand. But I fear the centre left is too honest and also seems to lack sharp responses to the lies and understanding of populist fears.
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I love stories based on historical events. This was a very good one.
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Love this story! I believe I saw this church (or one very simiilar) when Hubby and I walked el Camino de Santiago last year.
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Thanks, Laurie. Darlene will be able to tell you where the church was.
Glad you liked the story.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I came across this amazing church in Cantabria near a village in le Picos Europa. There are most likely many churches similar in Northern Spain. Lucky you to have walked el Camino de Santiago!
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Wow, what a magnificent and vivid story he wrote from your prompt. The church looks like it is mourning and really is quite inspiring. It has seen a lot of wars.
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Thanks very much, Patricia. I appreciate that.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete certainly did come up with a great story to go with that picture. If those walls could talk!
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Excellent story! The descriptions, the narrative tension, the point of view character. I was riveted all the way through. And I was very surprised to learn the Pablo was only 25. Well done!
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Thanks very much, Liz, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I think some men had to grow up very fast in that war.
(Sorry for the late reply, they had put your comment in Spam)
Best wishes, Pete.
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It is a well put together story and certainly puts the reader in the time and place.
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Found you by way of Darlene and so glad that I have. Such a beautifully written and poignant story. And all inspired from that one photo. So well done, such a captivating read.
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Found you by way of Darlene and so glad that I have. Such a beautifully written and poignant story. And all inspired from that one photo. So well done, such a captivating read.
Peta
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Thanks for reading, and such a kind comment, Peta.
Best wishes, Pete. 🙂
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I’m glad you found Pete’s story and enjoyed it, Peta. I so agree with your comments. I know you have seen some amazing sites in your travels as well.
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War and the consequences of decisions made by grey men which always results in loss of life of brave souls and innocents…A reminder of such folly does no harm..Well written, Pete
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I so agree, Carol.
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Thanks, Carol. All wars are tragic, but there is something exceptionally sad about that one.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Heartbreaking, Pete. Those poor young boys forced to make decisions grown men shouldn’t have to handle.
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Thanks, Jacqui.
It was a tragic war, with so many sad stories of neighbour against neighbour, and atrocities on both sides.
Best wishes, Pete.
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All wars take such a terrible toll and change a whole generation.
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Reblogged this on Darlene Foster's Blog and commented:
When Pete asked for photos he could use as prompts for short stories, I sent him this one of a church I came across in Spain, that no doubt had seen much history. What a marvelous story he created from my photo. Be sure to check it out.
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Thanks, Darlene.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Well, this pulled at my heart. You wrote this well, understanding the soldier.
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Thanks very much, Jennie. The tragedy of The Spanish Civil War has been something of an obsession of mine for a very long time.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I totall agree to Jennie’s comment. But this one “fat priest” Lol Pete! Wonderful written, so authentic too. Michael
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Thanks, Michael. A war that has interested me all my life.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You’re welcome, Pete. You must have been thrilled when you got Darlene’s photo, a great opportunity to write an excellent story about he war.
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I agree. Pete did a great job of using this prompt, even though he initially said he didn’t know what to do with a picture of a church! Churches have so many stories to tell, the older the better.
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Yes, yes!!
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I’m guessing this is why so many families moved to South America from Spain, I will be following up a few of your links to read more, or watch 🙂
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These are both worth reading mate.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/may/06/george-orwell-homage-to-catalonia-account-spanish-civil-war-wrong
Best wishes, Pete.
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The stupid insanity of war isn’t observed from a distance – it’s everyday events like this one…terrific job Pete
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Thanks very much, John. Small battles make up big wars, and I always try to keep the memory of The Spanish Civil War in people’s minds.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I am always amazed at the variety of characters and scenes you bring to life in so few words from the streets of London through a German soldier to the last stand at the Spanish equivalent of an Alamo. You are talented my friend. Warmest regards, Theo
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Thanks very much, Theo. I appreciate that a great deal.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Oh, tragic…well told
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Thanks very much, Sue. Something of a lifelong interest of mine.
Best wishes, Pete.
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What a very sad story, Pete. Terrible to fight for such a lost cause, especially with a young boy.
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The government militias used anyone they could get, Robbie. There are accounts of young female students, farm boys, and intellectuals. It was a tragic war, where at times the Republicans ended up fighting each other, instead of the enemy.
I can recommend this excellent film. Rather ‘wordy’, but a fairly accurate account.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_and_Freedom
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete. I appreciate the link.
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Again excellent grab.
‘For whom the bell tolls…It tolls for thee’
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Thanks, Don. I have read pretty much everything about that war, including Hemingway. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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“Pablo had chosen to make his stand at the old church, the one that used to be Saint Gregory.” This reminded me of the Alamo, formerly known as San Antonio de Valero Mission.
Here’s a quote from the History Channel’s web site:
“Though Sam Houston, the newly appointed commander-in-chief of the Texan forces, argued that San Antonio should be abandoned due to insufficient troop numbers, the Alamo’s defenders–led by Bowie and Travis–dug in nonetheless, prepared to defend the fort to the last. These defenders, who despite later reinforcements never numbered more than 200, included Davy Crockett, the famous frontiersman and former congressman from Tennessee, who had arrived in early February.”
I might add that, according to our family oral tradition, which is supported by historical fact, Thomas Redd Miller (1795-1836), a prominent resident of Gonzales, Texas, brought the Gonzales Rangers to the Alamo to help defend the mission alongside his friend, David Crockett.
I’ve been to the Alamo twice, and hope to return one day.
(Yes, I am resisting the platoon of puns that have marched forth in my brain today. And I stand ready to defend my decision to write a serious comment.)
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Well done for resisting those puns, David. (Well, almost…)
The Alamo was on my mind of course. That Spanish style of church was also widely built in Mexico.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I will never forget walking into the Museum of Modern Art and being confronted with “Guernica.” This short story reminded me of really grasping the horror of that war. Very well done. I think that the challenge of keeping it short is working to your real advantage at the moment.
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Thanks, Elizabeth. I always enjoy the challenge presented by random photos.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I have sometimes written captions for ones I see posted. It is fun.
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Wonderful story Pete that perfectly brings to life the photo. And with the rise of right wing extremism, an important historical reminder.
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Thanks, Kim. With that style of church, it had to be set in Spain. So the Civil War seemed right to me.
Best wishes, Pete.
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My husband’s grandfather was involved in this horror. I don’t know all the politics of it and whose side they were are on, but they had to flee to Mexico. Anyway, I really enjoyed the story. The ending is especially poignant with Pablo’s mother beckoning to him from the sky. May it be that way for all of us when the time comes.
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Thanks, Pam. I suspect that most Americans were on the Republican side, fighting the Fascists. Here is a link to their main unit of over 3,000 volunteers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Battalion
Best wishes, Pete.
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Excellent story telling, Pete. It’s a piece of history we’d all do well to remember.
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Thanks, Mary. I think that it is history we need to be reminded of now, with the current rise of populist far-right movements in Europe.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It scares me.
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Very compelling Pete. Yes, we need to make mire known the thubgs tgat have become covered over or forgotten. A fantastic way of using the photo.
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Thanks very much, Lorraine. I knew the church was in Spain, so it seemed natural to me to imagine its history. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s really good. And it is so good when our stories can contain a much needed message
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Excellent writing, Pete!
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Thanks, GP. I am always happy to remind people about The Spanish Civil War. It is a conflict that almost never gets mentioned today.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Very true.
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Have you ever read Giles Tremlett’s The Ghosts of Spain?
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No, I read a lot about what happened during the war, but nothing as recent as 2006. I will add that to my wish list, Sue. Many thanks.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It was interesting
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Well told! Such a good use of the photo prompt. A sad part of Spain´s history and one they are happy to leave behind.
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Thanks, Darlene. Given the rise of Right-Wing extremism in Europe again, I believe they would do well to keep remembering that tragic war.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Ah that’s well done Pete, another sad tale. You’re rocking the photo prompts!
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Thanks, FR. I have always been interested in The Spanish Civil War, so that photo made it possible to include that in a short story.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Ditto. They weren’t only short of experience, they were massively outgunned.
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They were indeed, Ellen. Many thanks for reading.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I was tempted to go into a speech about all the reasons for that, but it was clear that you’d already know them, so in a rare moment of good judgment I kept them to myself.
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