Why are we fighting? We're fighting because we're soldiers. That's simple enough, isn't it? For what cause are we fighting? Simple again. We're fighting to protect our country, and, in a wider sense, the whole of the English-Speaking Union. From whom? No concern of ours. Where? Wherever we're sent. Now, Foxe, I trust all this is perfectly clear.
The passage reflects a soldier's straightforward perspective on the nature of warfare. The soldier states that the reason for fighting is simply that they are soldiers, emphasizing a sense of duty and acceptance of their role in conflict. The motivations behind the war are also simplified into protecting their nation and the broader community of the English-speaking world, focusing on a collective identity rather than individual concerns.
The soldier avoids delving into the complexities of the enemy or the specifics of the battlefield, suggesting a detachment from the personal and ethical implications of war. This underscores the idea that, for them, the focus lies purely on service and loyalty rather than the nuances of political motivations or the moral standings of either side. The clarity sought by Foxe reflects a desire for a straightforward understanding of the soldier's experience in a world often riddled with confusion and complexity.
