Afghanistan, July-August 1969 – Page 5

24.7.69 To Pal-i- Khummri in the evening. Another outrageous soldier. His duty was to prevent cars and lorries continuing up the main road where they interfere with road-makers and to channel them down a dusty track. Two lorries disobeyed and so did a little car. He attacked us with a wooden hatchet. Bull-necked wide staring eyes frantic with frustrated manhood he hurled out of a blue sky in his dust coloured uniform. Whites of his eyes flashed. Finally appeased he broke into tears as we were allowed by the officials to pass. Tried to push the car back single-handed. These young men are ordered to guard their positions on their lives. They are told to assume responsibility for the first time, and when it starts to go wrong  their only recourse is to violence. Something clicks in Pathan and its too late.