In the line

by Techpriest Eh

Rating: mature
Tags: Anthro, Dark, Alternate Universe, Sad
Length: 1724

the story of a pony in the trenches during the great war.

The battle of Galipoli was one of Australia's worst losses, it was also the battle that changed Australia from a lost teen finding his identity to a Man with a purpose.

Many countries took part in this battle but it was Australia who suffered the most for it.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-03-23 10:29:53 UTC

The trenches

(Short timeline)

100 C.E - Nightmare Moon is banished to the moon

-1100 C.E - Nightmare moon returns only to be vanquished by the elements of harmony

-1150 C.E - Non magical steam engine is invented, Equestria enters a period of Industrialisation

-1159 C.E - Equestria fractures after death of alicorn twilight sparkle commits suicide. Many new countries are formed: Equestrian colonies of A-mare-ica revolt and form independent nation, Germaney secedes, Horsetria secedes, Mos-'cow' secedes.

-1181 C.E - Equestria colonises 2 small landmasses forming Horestralia and Neigh Zealand.

-1191 C.E - Horestralian colonies federate, forming the Commonwealth of Horsetralia

-2011 C.E - Rapid industrialisation and rise of great inventors leads to development of flintlocks

-2021 C.E - Rapid advancements with magic and muskets leads to the development of bolt action rifles and Mounted rapid fire Machine guns.

-2032 C.E - End of Celestial Era and beginning of New Era, Germaney and it's allies declare war on Equestria and allies

-2034 N.E - The battle of Gallopily

Black clouds POV

Cold water splashed my face as I was jostled around. my rifle clanged against my helmet as the pony behind shifted to get more comfortable. Rounds whizzed past as roar's echoed around, water splashing into the Landing craft. Somepony shouted behind me but I couldn't hear what they were saying, taking a guess I grabbed my rifle and pulled back the bolt before slamming a small clip into the weapon and sliding the bolt forward. A spray of mist hit pinged on my helmet as a shell took out the landing craft to my right. several ponies ducked in fear while others whispered prayers to celestia to guide them through this ordeal. Me... I just stood their, silently waiting for the hatch to fall forward, silently waiting for the hell that was to come.

"Hatches are coming down, get ready to charge!" A voice shouted to the front of me as several ponies put away personal items such as tags, canteens and photo's of mares.

A grinding noise nabbed my attention as I looked to the front, the hatch's lock was opening, I quickly readied my weapon as the hatch fell down. The moment the hatch fell down several ponies up front were riddles with bullets, their corpses dancing as bullets thudded into them. Everypony else just let out a roar as they charged forward, a few at the front firing as they ran. As we charged more Ponies were scythed down by the enemy, their corpses tripping other troops over. A bullet hit my helmet but glanced off into the pony next to me, his corpse falling over with eyes glazed. I suppressed the urge to vomit as I charged forward, my bayonet aimed forward. Reaching the enemy trenches the gunfire stopped as Ponies leapt into the enemy lines, rifles discharging and bayonets swinging. I quickly let of a shot at the enemy before I jumped into the trench and charged down the nearest pony, my bayonet spearing his stomach. I gave off a growl as I kicked his body off the large knife. I glanced around and noticed that the enemy was dead as ponies started to celebrate, their merriment was cut short as Shells rained down upon our lines. Bodies flew and blood sprayed everywhere as mangled corpses rain down upon us. Everypony quickly took cover as bullets scythed over our trench, the rain didn't help what so ever except to make us wet and angry.

A pony a couple of soldiers down fell back as a he grabbed his throat, blood spraying every where as he bled out. I let out a prayer for his departure and quickly pulled the bolt of my rifle back before slamming it forward. Taking aim I let off a shot. I didn't have time to celebrate as a shell impacted to my right, killing off a dozen more soldiers. Medics ran here and there trying to stabilize ponies and stop the deaths of a few others. I quickly climbed up the side of the trench so I could press on.

A roar shook my ears as an explosion erupted several meters away, blasted me onto my back as sand was tossed everywhere, disorientating me and killing others. Standing up I continued on, hoping to get to the enemies trenches where I could kill the gunner that was mowing down ponies everywhere. I looked forward to the target of our assault. A long trench was dug into the ground, flashes flaring up rapidly as rifles and machine guns fired into my comrades.  Several shots rang out as other ponies took shots at the Ottomane trenches, hoping to disable the machine gunners. Lifting my rifle I aimed at the trench before sighting up one of the flashes. A crack echoed from my rifle as it bucked in my hands. I didn't spare any time as I re-affixed my bayonet and charged at the trench. Yet again I jumped into the breach, my bayonet spearing a pony in the neck. I pulled back my rifle and stabbed towards another pony. This time the blade stabbed into her shoulder. A sharp cry rang out before I stabbed my rifle into her face.

Chapter 1 end

The real Anzacs

(not a proper chapter, just telling you something.)

The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was a First World War army corps of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force that was formed in Egypt in 1915 and operated during the Battle of Gallipoli. General William Birdwood commanded the corps, which comprised troops from the First Australian Imperial Force and 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The corps was disbanded in 1916 following the Allied evacuation of the Gallipoli peninsula and the formation of I Anzac Corps and II Anzac Corps.

Plans for the formation began in November 1914 while the first contingent of Australian and New Zealand troops were still in convoy bound for, as they thought, Europe. However, following the experiences of the Canadian Expeditionary Force encamped on Salisbury Plain, it was decided not to subject the Australians and New Zealanders to the English winter and so they were diverted to Egypt for training before moving on to the Western Front in France.[1] The British Secretary of State for War, Horatio Kitchener, appointed General William Birdwood, an officer of the British Indian Army, to the command of the corps and he furnished most of the corps staff from the Indian Army as well. Birdwood arrived in Cairo on 21 December 1914 to assume command of the corps.

It was originally intended to name the corps the Australasian Army Corps, this title being used in the unit diary, following the common practice of the time, which often saw New Zealanders and Australians compete together as Australasia in sporting events.[2] However, protests from New Zealand led adoption of the name Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The administration clerks found the title too cumbersome so quickly adopted the abbreviation A. & N.Z.A.C. or simply ANZAC.[2] Shortly afterwards it was officially adopted as the codename for the corps but it did not enter common usage amongst the troops until after the Gallipoli landings.

At the outset, the corps comprised two divisions; the Australian Division, composed of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Australian Infantry Brigades and the New Zealand and Australian Division, composed of the New Zealand Infantry Brigade, New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, Australian 1st Light Horse Brigade and 4th Australian Infantry Brigade.[3] The 2nd and 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigades were assigned as corps level troops, belonging to neither division.[3]

Despite being synonymous with Australia and New Zealand, ANZAC was a multi-national body. In addition to the many British officers in the corps and division staffs, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps contained, at various points, the 7th Brigade of the Indian Mountain Artillery, Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps troops, the Zion Mule Corps, four battalions from the Royal Naval Division, the British 13th (Western) Division, one brigade of the British 10th (Irish) Division and the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade.

Plans for the formation began in November 1914 while the first contingent of Australian and New Zealand troops were still in convoy bound for, as they thought, Europe. However, following the experiences of the Canadian Expeditionary Force encamped on Salisbury Plain, it was decided not to subject the Australians and New Zealanders to the English winter and so they were diverted to Egypt for training before moving on to the Western Front in France.[1] The British Secretary of State for War, Horatio Kitchener, appointed General William Birdwood, an officer of the British Indian Army, to the command of the corps and he furnished most of the corps staff from the Indian Army as well. Birdwood arrived in Cairo on 21 December 1914 to assume command of the corps.

It was originally intended to name the corps the Australasian Army Corps, this title being used in the unit diary, following the common practice of the time, which often saw New Zealanders and Australians compete together as Australasia in sporting events.[2] However, protests from New Zealand led adoption of the name Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The administration clerks found the title too cumbersome so quickly adopted the abbreviation A. & N.Z.A.C. or simply ANZAC.[2] Shortly afterwards it was officially adopted as the codename for the corps but it did not enter common usage amongst the troops until after the Gallipoli landings.

At the outset, the corps comprised two divisions; the Australian Division, composed of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Australian Infantry Brigades and the New Zealand and Australian Division, composed of the New Zealand Infantry Brigade, New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, Australian 1st Light Horse Brigade and 4th Australian Infantry Brigade.[3] The 2nd and 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigades were assigned as corps level troops, belonging to neither division.[3]

Despite being synonymous with Australia and New Zealand, ANZAC was a multi-national body. In addition to the many British officers in the corps and division staffs, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps contained, at various points, the 7th Brigade of the Indian Mountain Artillery, Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps troops, the Zion Mule Corps, four battalions from the Royal Naval Division, the British 13th (Western) Division, one brigade of the British 10th (Irish) Division and the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade.