Dr Anthony Turton: Shaking Hands with Billy

Some of the short stories taken from Shaking Hands with Billy 

Anthills and Airfields. This story describes an incident that occurred in which my Eland became trapped on an anthill during an assault on an airfield. It gives the lyrics of a song we used to sing in order to build a sense of belonging, but also to capture the shared experiences we were going through far from home. Click here to download the PDF. 

Misfire. This story describes a misfire in the main gun of an Eland 90. Click here to download the PDF: 

Geneva Convention Interlude. This story is about a soldier who is caught short as a result of what we called Gippo Guts. Click here to download the PDF. 

Interlocking Arcs of Fire. I have never finished this poem which is still very rough around the edges, but it describes an ambush. The disjointedness can be seen as symptomatic of such events when bits and pieces flash by. Click here to download the PDF. 

Thousand Yard Stare. This is probably one of the most haunting experiences I have ever had. It relates to the first necklacing incident that I ever witnessed, and it describes the moment that I detached emotionally from what was happening around me. Since writing this story, many former soldiers and policemen that were deployed in the so-called Township Wars of the 1980's and early 1990's, have said that it accurately captures their own experiences. To download the PDF click here, but BE WARNED that it contains graphic descriptions of an extremely traumatic incident that is likely to evoke a strong emotional response even to this day. 

Caramel and Red Eyes. This is a story about and incoming ripple of rockets while the soldier concerned was trying to make caramel. Click here to dowload the PDF

Crimson Circles in the White Sand. This speaks of a contact and is written in a way that shows how some soldiers shielded themselves from the ugliness around them by speaking in the third person. Click here to download the PDF. 

Hearts Minds and Mutiny. During a pipeline patrol a young NCO has to make a split second decision that impacts the safty of his whole section. Click here to download the PDF. 

Moonlight and Sine Wave Symmetry. This took place under a moonlit night sky when I was awakened by a sound in the bush alongside me. Click here to download the PDF. 

Kindle:  https://amzn.to/2WUYotm?fbclid=IwAR0pz54eVaBiwOkBmxV0W1hXcjV-5a6n2J5iksag7Q5UBPFAcKzf7QZyQcQ

Book:  https://www.warbooks.co.za/products/shaking-hands-with-billy-anthony-turton

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