I have read a lot and interviewed men who had fought in wars.
They never want to talk about it.
Well, I know that my father’s generation seemed to almost have a pact about ‘not talking’.
But I’ve often wished he he had told us more about it. My father was pretty much the ‘strong, silent’ type to start with, and died when I was only 20 and just getting to the age where I might have understood more and been able to ask good questions. I would have liked to know more of his ‘insides’.
The men I know and knew never mention combat much and I learned young not to ask. Women and I partying are a different thing. Australia in 1943 was quite interesting to a 17 yearly old. Tin can and kamkazies nothing, stealing whiskey from a burning Quonset shed? No problem.