On this command, Marjie cocked the machine gun she’d been allocated and fired, as did all her comrades. As some soldiers fell and others screamed in agony, her heart wanted to explode with the horror of it. A sob jolted her throat, but she swallowed hard. I mustn’t think of them as men – I mustn’t. They are beasts who would kill all those I love. With this, she released another round of bullets and knew she’d hit her target, as three soldiers’ bodies were flung into a hideous pose before dropping to the ground, never to move again.

Screams and banging filled the air as those incarcerated in the carriages, sandwiched between those of the guards, cried desperately for release. Marjie realized that these carriages were no more than cattle trucks – no windows, just slits to let in air.

The cries of those trapped inside cut her in two, but she dared not go forward to release them, even though her heart wanted her to.

‘Cover me!’

Arnie’s command shot terror through her. There were still many soldiers and now they were organized, after their initial ambush, which had thrown them into chaotic panic. She wanted to shout, ‘No, not yet’, but Arnie was the commanding officer and she would not disobey him, even though she knew his action was driven by his emotions and not his reason.

Firing her gun sent her body into a tremble, but still she held fast. More soldiers fell, whether by her hand or by that of the many others shooting at the soldiers, Marjie didn’t know.

In the shadows she saw Arnie making for the train. But then he stopped, crouched down and shot down at a row of kneeling soldiers.

Marjie’s head reeled with the nightmare of it all, as bits of warm flesh hit her face from ten feet away. Cries, following a blast of fire from those at the rear of the train, made her aware that one of their number had been hit. She raised her gun and fired for all she was worth, tears streaming down her face. Don’t let it be Papa, Sibbie or Paulo, please. Please don’t let it be any of them.

As her prayer died, she saw a soldier throw a hand-grenade. Ducking, she crouched low. More prayers tumbled from her. A split second’s silence registered, and then she heard an explosion, followed by screams of agony. Lifting her head, she called out, ‘Papa . . . Papa!’

‘Hush, darling girl. I’m all right.’

Crawling on her belly towards the voice, Marjie felt something in front of her and, putting out her hand, her fingers felt the still body of someone she did not know. Skirting around him, she made it to her father’s side. ‘Papa. Oh, Papa.’