the

brothers

by

Gordon Hamilton

Unfortunately the war still continued, beyond the control, as far as the beginning and end are concerned, of two young men.

Karl had been captured during the later days of the war. Although not yet nineteen, he was a veteran of almost two years service. As most young lads he was not politically inclined, but still patriotically dedicated and possessed of that essential degree of espirit de corps that goes to make for a good soldier. He was loyal to his comrades to an extent, particularily among prisoners, who at best can be expected to be a slight bit demoralized, that is rare even in the most seasoned veteran.

The prisoner of war camp was a dirty sullen hole, miserable to the limit of the imagination as a place to live day after day. Needless to say the food was poor, sanitation facilities were limited and primative and recreation facilities, they didn't exist. But perhaps it is safe to say that this camp was no better nor any worse than any combat zone P.O.W. camp of either belligerent. No soldier or no person in a combat zone lives good when they are in constant fear of life or freedom, any kind of freedom.

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