The Somaiya School
Academic Year 2023-2024
A Project Report On:
A Project Report on War Literature as depicted in
The Forgotten Battle
Submitted By:
Student’s Name: Diyan Gada
Grade: 11
Subject: English
Roll No. : 19
Seat No. :
1
The Somaiya School
Certificate
This is to certify that Diyan Gada, a student of standard
XI Science with SEAT number __________________,
has successfully completed the Chemistry Project Work,
in partial fulfillment of the curriculum of the Central
Board of Secondary Education leading to the award of
All India Senior School Certificate for the academic year
2023-2024.
Internal Examiner External Examiner
Date: Date:
Principal School Seal
Date:
2
Acknowledgement
While working on this project, I have got immense help
from various people, without which it would not have
been possible to achieve this goal.
First of all, I would like to place on record, the effort that
our respected Principal has made in providing us with a
fully equipped laboratory.
I would like to thank my Chemistry teacher for guiding
me in my project and for giving me valuable
suggestions. I also thank my lab assistant who helped
me with the setup for the project.
I am equally thankful to my parents for their moral
support.
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Index
Page
Sr. No Title
No.
1 What is War 5-6
2 WHat Is War Literature 7
3 Introduction to the movie 8-9
4 Backdrop of the World War II in the movie 10-12
5 Themes of War 13-14
6 Critical analysis of the war in relation to the movie 15-16
Conclusion
7 17
8 Bibliography 18
4
WHat is War?
What is War?
War is an organized and usually long-term struggle between groups, commonly
nations or states, by using military force. It is a very complex phenomenon, bringing
profound and far-reaching effects on individuals, societies, and the environment.
Wars can be based on territorial disputes, resource competition, ideological conflicts,
and fighting for power. These conflicts frequently involve not only military forces but
also civilians, who at times could be affected either directly or indirectly by the
violence. Political, economic, and social motives for war exist and at times mirror
deep-seated grievances or aspirations for change.
World War II
World War II was a global conflict taking place from 1939 to 1945, where most of the
world's nations formed two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis
powers. It was the most extensive war in history, with more than 100 million people
serving in military forces. The war resulted in the deaths of 70-85 million people,
thereby becoming the deadliest conflict in human history. Dozens of millions died
from genocide, deliberately engineered starvation and massacre, and disease.
The war, beginning on September 1, 1939, with the German invasion of Poland, and
ending on September 2, 1945, with the surrender of Japan, alterably transformed the
political alignment and social structure of the world through the formation of the
United Nations and the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as
rival superpowers. It then set the stage for the Cold War.
As a result, Europe was no longer the focal point of power in the world, which
imparted impetus for decolonization of Africa and Asia.
The human cost of World War II was enormous, with many lives lost or irrevocably
changed by injuries, displacement, and trauma. Civilians usually took the full force of
the war, where violence, sexual abuses, and loss of loved ones were a common
experience. Children experienced physical dangers but also psychological impacts
like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. The war was equally
devastating in its economic impact, which destroyed cities and livelihoods that would
take generations to rebuild. The environmental consequences of the war were just
as draconian: it led to the destruction of ecosystems, pollution of land and water, and
a loss of biodiversity.
Relation of War and WWII with my movie: The Forgotten Battle
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War is a structured and most of the time catastrophic fight between groups, which
affects individuals and societies in depth, and is also highly applicable in The
Forgotten Battle.
It is set in the middle of the background of World War II, with the film exploring the
moral complexities and human cost of war through the intertwined lives of its
characters.
Marinus is a German soldier who struggles with his conscience and with the specter
of impending consequences, while Teuntje represents the ache of the civilian
populace in the crossfire because she's a member of the resistance(people against
germans and yearning for independence).
The film brings out how war affects life and forces people to confront their
perceptions and values amidst violence and chaos. By framing this
never-to-be-forgotten Battle of the Scheldt-an engagement so huge, yet so little
remembered-The Forgotten Battle encompasses all the greater ramifications of war:
the ability of war to produce suffering, reinvent identities, and leave deep scars in
both landscape and bone. In so doing, it becomes a timely reminder of the futility of
war and of the indomitable human spirit in the midst of chaos.
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WHat Is War Literature
War literature is highly varied and covers writings on the theme, experiences, and
consequences of war. It includes novels, poems, plays, memoirs, and essays on the
reflection of armed conflict complexity, often with a focus on human cost and the
moral dilemmas that face individuals.
War literature is multifunctional: it may serve to glorify the heroic deeds of the
warriors, reflect the reality of war life, and be directed against the leveled social and
political order.
Some writings, like Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front and Tim
O'Brien's The Things They Carried, demonstrate from different perspectives how
war is psychologically traumatic and chaotic, and neither provides language that
aptly describes what soldiers and civilians have suffered.
War literature has continuously changed throughout the history of mankind,
reflecting changes in societal attitudes about conflict. For example, works written
during and after World War I and World War II often express themes of
disillusionment and the absurdity of war, renouncing earlier glorifications of battle.
This makes war literature the recording not only of the experiences of people who
faced conflicts but also of a monitoring lens that projects what the larger effects of
war on humankind could be. A peek into the web of complexities in contact with
these experiences leads to an understanding of the lasting twinges that individuals
and societies experience in war.
The Forgotten Battle is a good example of war literature whereby vivid depictions of
war experiences and consequences multifariously entwine during the time of World
War II.
This film goes deep into the psychological and moral dilemmas of its characters,
such as Marinus, who had to fight alongside the Germans-being Dutch-and Teuntje,
a member of the resistance.
This examination of their own inner strife reflects larger themes common to war
literature, which is ostensibly a method of representing the human cost of war and
questions of loyalty, identity, and survival.
The events of war are intertwined with deeply personal narratives in The Forgotten
Battle, a contribution to the literature on war that has given meaning to the audience
in terms of the emotional and social upheaval created by war. The film is one that
points towards the remaining scar from such conflict and how important it is to
remember experiences of this kind through storytelling.
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introduction to the movie
The Forgotten Battle is a touching war drama set during the Second World War.
Focusing on the Battle of the Scheldt in 1944, this pivotal yet relatively forgotten war
aimed to take the port city of Antwerp for the Allies. It intertwines the lives of three
main characters: Marinus van Staveren, who is fighting for the Germans; William
Sinclair, a British glider pilot; and Teuntje Visser, a young woman involved with the
Dutch resistance.
Marinus, played by Gijs Blom, is confronted by his loyalty to the German army and
the dark realities of war. The viewer learns about his journey into the inward
struggles that soldiers face when embroiled in a moral morass. William Sinclair, as
played by Jamie Flatters, takes on the character of the Allied forces that put him on
a very dangerous mission, right within the bosom of the fight. This personifies the
courageous and determined action in which those fought against tyranny.
The cast of Susan Radder as Teuntje Visser gives this film an attractive civilian
angle. A resistance member, driven by her longing to see her country free, yet so
open to the cruel realities that come with that decision, is played out so beautifully.
The movie makes it very clear that the psychological and emotional brunt of the war
will be borne by non-combatants just as much as combatants.
The elements of loyal relationships, sacrifice, and commitment involved in the
intricate web of human interaction, during wartime, are brought out through
immersive storytelling and character development in The Forgotten Battle. The film
really points out that war destroys the individual and society as a whole, thus being a
strong reminder of the struggle one goes through while experiencing the adversities
of war. With its authentic representation of a monumental event in history, the movie
invites viewers to ponder on both the scars of war that always remain and the
resilience of the human spirit.
The movie is mainly based on the Battle of Scheldt
The Forgotten Battle is a representation of the Battle of the Scheldt, one of the most
important military operations during World War II. It occurred from October 2 to
November 8, 1944.
Its main task was to capture the Scheldt estuary in order to finally open up to the
Allies the port of Antwerp-a major logistical center which the Allied forces would
need to get further into Europe. First Canadian Army would fight the battle supported
by British and Polish and other Allied components, against a formidable series of
German defenses along the banks of the estuary.
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The campaign was marked by difficult ground conditions, with flooded fields and
mud hindering troop movement and logistical supply. The Germans had taken their
positions in solid fortification, making the assault notwithstanding grueling. Several
operations were conducted, with the advance of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division
towards Walcheren Island, and the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division launched its
assault on the Breskens Pocket. Yet, after bitter fighting, the Allies were finally able
to clear the area, but the cost was heavy - an estimated 12,873 Allied casualties,
including over 6,300 Canadians.
This campaign finally ended with the opening of the port of Antwerp to resupply the
Allied forces that would continue the campaign against Nazi Germany on 28
November 1944.
The Battle of the Scheldt is often described as one of the bloodiest and most
important campaigns in which Canadian soldiers fought during the war. It was an
important contribution that Canadian forces made to the Allied victory in Europe.
This historical context amplifies the storyline of The Forgotten Battle by showing the
personal and collective sacrifices during this turning point in history.
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Backdrop Of WWII in the movie
The Forgotten Battle is set against the tumultuous backcloth of World War II and
concentrates on events in the period leading up to and during the Battle of the
Scheldt in 1944. It was one of the larger actions involved in the Allies' campaign to
liberate Western Europe from occupation by the Nazis. By 1944, the Allies had
successfully landed in Normandy on D-Day (June 6) and were advancing through
France, but the strategic importance of the Scheldt estuary remained a significant
hurdle. The port of Antwerp, which was liberated in early September 1944, was not
fully usable until the Scheldt was cleared of German forces, making it imperative for
the Allies to secure this vital supply route.
The film starts with an animated map showing, for context, the Allied forces' push
against the German army across Europe. It sets up the immediacy and importance
of the Battle of the Scheldt, as the Allies were trying to gain control of the waterway
as a means of assuring effective resupply for their troops. It was a campaign pitting
the Canadian First Army-while supported by British, Polish, and other Allied
units-against extremely heavy resistance by the well-dug-in German forces.
They have three main characters whose lives are closely intertwined into this
historical context: Marinus van Staveren, a Dutch soldier fighting for the Germans;
William Sinclair, a British glider pilot; and Teuntje Visser, a young woman involved in
the Dutch resistance. Their stories shine a light on the moral dilemmas and human
losses of war and show how people suffered as a result of the vast conflict between
the United States and Japan.
The full-scale battle comes alive in the film, showing how such battles are cruel on
both soldiers and civilians. Slushy terrain, bad weather, and unabated fighting unfold
a grim situation that underlines sacrifice as its high stake. Equally important themes
of loyalty, identity, and freedom struggle-a fight which was not only restricted to the
war but spilled over into society-find a place in this film.
By telling the story of the Battle of the Scheldt, The Forgotten Battle reminds one of
the important, yet often-neglected, chapter in the history of World War II and at the
same time constitutes a touching appeal for the permanent marks left by war in
human history. The film allows the audience to meditate upon the entanglements of
war and the strength of the human spirit by depicting real events and hardships
faced by its protagonists.
The Forgotten Battle is a multilayered narration of World War II, mainly in regard to
the Battle of the Scheldt, thus showcasing diverse groups involved in the conflict:
German forces, Allied troops, and the civilian population.
10
German Forces
In the film, the German soldiers are depicted as both oppressors and individuals
grappling with the harsh realities of war. Marinus van Staveren, a Dutch soldier
fighting for the Germans, embodies the internal conflict many faced, torn between
duty and morality. His character also depicts how propaganda and ideology shaped
the views of those fighting for the Axis powers, usually separating them from the
vicious consequences of their actions. His portrayal of the German Forces in
Vlissingen further unfolds with their tactical retreat and reoccupation, after which
there is chaos on the field of war and situations change in the heat of battle.
Allied Forces
Therefore, the story revolves around the Allied forces in particular to the Canadian
troops. The movie shows their determination to provide the Scheldt estuary that was
essential to enter into the port of Antwerp. The role of the British glider pilots, one of
them William Sinclair, also reveals brave and ready-to-go soldiers to join the
liberating forces. The film portrays the Allies' struggle against well-fortified German
positions, emphasizing the challenges they faced in the muddy, flooded terrain of
Zeeland. The intense combat scenes serve to illustrate the physical and emotional
toll of warfare on soldiers.
Air Raids
Air raids, especially, form a critical backdrop to the battle since the Allied forces tried
to destroy German defenses from the air. All this capture of chaos and destruction
from those airstrikes, besides military installations, also reaches civilians who
happened to fall between the crossfire. The psychological impact brought by living
under such an ever-present threat of air raids adds another character-sketched
tension and fear.
Impact on Civilians
The film poignantly illustrates the impact of war on civilians, particularly through the
character of Teuntje Visser. As a young woman navigating life under German
occupation, she faces moral dilemmas regarding collaboration and resistance. The
narrative reveals how ordinary people were forced to make difficult choices, often
leading to dire consequences. The civilian perspective becomes important in which
one can appreciate the wider ramifications of war: families torn asunder,
communities devastated by violence and occupation.
Psychological Toll
The psychological impact brought about by war is in every frame of The Forgotten
Battle. Trauma, fear, and moral conflict are there for soldiers on both sides, as
depicted in the character of Marinus, assailed by his conscience upon witnessing the
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brutality of war. The film effectively provides the psychological trauma that hits
individuals and trauma collectively inflicted upon the civilians at the mercy of the
occupation forces. The saddening combat action intermingles with the personal
turmoil of the characters to grow and illustrate the psychological continuance that
warfare has on people: to show that the results of conflict reach far beyond the
battlefield.
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Themes of war
War literature encompasses a wide array of themes that delve into the complexities
of armed conflict and its profound impact on individuals and societies. Through
various narratives, authors explore themes such as trauma, loss of innocence,
heroism, and the psychological toll of war. Here are seven significant themes
commonly found in war literature:
Trauma and Psychological Impact
One of the most prominent themes in war literature is the psychological toll of
conflict. Works like All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque and
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien illustrate the trauma experienced by
soldiers. These narratives depict the emotional scars left by war, including
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), guilt, and disillusionment. The portrayal of
characters grappling with their mental health emphasizes the long-lasting effects of
combat and the struggle to reintegrate into civilian life.
Loss of Innocence
War literature often explores the theme of loss of innocence, particularly through the
experiences of young soldiers. Novels like The Wars by Timothy Findley depict
characters who transition from idealistic youth to disillusioned adults as they confront
the brutal realities of combat. This theme highlights how war shatters preconceived
notions of honor and glory, replacing them with harsh truths about suffering and
death.
Heroism and Duty
The concept of heroism is another critical theme, often depicted through the lens of
duty and sacrifice. Characters are frequently portrayed as brave individuals who face
overwhelming odds in defense of their country. However, modern war literature often
questions traditional notions of heroism, revealing the futility of war and the moral
ambiguities faced by soldiers. This shift reflects a broader societal change in how
war is perceived, moving from glorification to a more nuanced understanding of its
consequences.
The Impact on Civilians
War literature emphasizes the effects of conflict on civilians, illustrating how war
disrupts lives and communities. Novels such as A Farewell to Arms by Ernest
Hemingway and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini depict the suffering of
non-combatants, highlighting their struggles and resilience amid chaos. This theme
underscores the notion that war's impact extends beyond the battlefield, affecting
families, societies, and future generations.
13
Morality and Ethics
The exploration of morality and ethics is a significant theme in war literature.
Characters often face difficult choices that challenge their values and beliefs, such
as whether to follow orders or act according to their conscience. Works like Catch-22
by Joseph Heller satirize the absurdity of war, highlighting the moral contradictions
inherent in military bureaucracy. These narratives question the justifications for war
and the consequences of unquestioning obedience.
Resistance and Resilience
War literature often explores themes of resistance and resilience in the face of
adversity. Characters may engage in active resistance against oppression, as seen
in novels like For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. Alternatively, they may
demonstrate resilience in the aftermath of war, rebuilding their lives and communities
despite the devastation. This theme underscores the human capacity for endurance
and the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most challenging
circumstances.
Memory and Commemoration
Finally, war literature grapples with themes of memory and commemoration.
Memoirs like Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves reflect on the lasting impact of
war on individual lives. These works serve as a means of processing trauma and
preserving the experiences of those who lived through conflict. Poetry, such as
Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est," contributes to the collective memory of war,
challenging the notion of war as glorious and ensuring that the sacrifices made are
not forgotten.
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critical analysis of the war in relation to the movie
The Forgotten Battle is set during the Battle of the Scheldt in World War II and gives
a profound look at what that war brought upon individuals and societies. Nuanced,
the film reveals war is not just conflict between nations; it scatters the lifestyles of
people and puts them into dilemmas over morality. One such story, lesser-known, is
the Battle of Scheldt, but an important battle relating to freeing occupied Europe.
Through the eyes of a Dutch resistance fighter, a British glider pilot, and a
conscripted German soldier, The Forgotten Battle tells a story of personal and social
consequences of World War II.
The roots of war and post-war periods are inextricably linked with the personal fates
of the protagonists. The struggle between the two powers of the time, Axis and
Allies, was fueled through ideological, political, and territorial ambitions and trickled
down to the individual, obliging ordinary people actively to decide whether to submit,
collaborate, or resist. In Teuntje's mindset, a Dutch civilian and resistance fighter,
war signifies the weight of oppression-imposed Nazi occupation upon her country
and family.
Her initial unwillingness to join the resistance reflects what was largely the deep
moral struggle faced by civilians: whether to preserve themselves from harm or risk
it all for freedom. The cruel death of her brother at German hands pushed her into
the moral labyrinth of war, where the chances of survival and moral integrity, in most
instances, become mutually exclusive. The choices Teuntje must make symbolize
the collective suffering of occupied populations, showing how World War II was not
just a clash of armies but a war for the soul of the occupied nations.
For British Glider pilot William Sinclair, the war means the greater geopolitical
contest between the Allies and Axis, yet his experience illustrates how indeterminate
and confused the actual business of combat may prove. Being an inexperienced
pilot, he is thrown into the Scheldt campaign in the front line to show the human cost
of war even for those on the "right" side. His journey is a harsh reminder that
soldiers-even the best of them-usually find their way lost in a sea of violence, where
strategies and plans dissolve under the harsh realities of combat. Sinclair's arc
reflects the larger experience of the Allied soldiers who fought in World War II: those
hard-won victories that came with massive human cost.
The most complex of these characters would have to be Marinus, a Dutchman
conscripted into fighting on behalf of the Nazis, generally speaking, representative of
the inner struggle of those caught within the machinery of war. His story brings to
light the moral ambiguity one finds in war, where victims can at the same time be
perpetrators. His progressive disillusión towards the Nazi regime and eventual moral
awakening underlines how war obliges people to choose between a personal belief
system and the choices one is obliged to make under oppressive regimes. In this,
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Marinus' fight against duty and conscience shows how war rips apart personal
identity when an individual is bereft of autonomy and pushed to things against their
will.
The power of storytelling in The Forgotten Battle emanates from how it humanizes
war, rooted in the convention of war literature that explains the human condition in
times of conflict. Slanted toward films like Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the
Western Front or Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, the movie places
considerable attention on personal stories as a means to effectively evoke a higher
level of reality regarding war. Fundamental to histories of war, they boil down mostly
to questions of dates and battles and their political consequences. On the contrary,
The Forgotten Battle reminded that each of them is built over human lives. More
similar to war literature, the film tends to show the psychological and emotional
burdens of war, not any aspect of combat or heroism.
The futility and tragedy of involvement in every war are also revealed in The
Forgotten Battle-a characteristic feature of war literature. Just as Remarque showed
the disillusion of soldiers in the World War I trenches, this film has shown that for all
its being considered a "just war", World War II was replete with personal tragedies,
moral compromise, and loss of innocence. These experiences of the three major
characters delineate the fact that war is also fought-apart from the battlefields-within
the hearts and minds of those who were obliged to participate in it because of some
compelling reason.
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COnclusion
This project has looked into the complex themes of war in the film The Forgotten
Battle, staged during World War II and focused more precisely on the Battle of the
Scheldt. We have analyzed how this film represents the psychological toll of war, as
experienced both by soldiers and by civilians, to show that war leaves permanent
scars on people. The loss of innocence is shown through the characters of Marinus,
William, and Teuntje as each of them tries to sort out beliefs and identities in the
midst of the battle.
This also extends to the wider war literature-a significant medium through which war
and its intricacies are unraveled continuously. The notion of war literature captures a
wide array of media-from novelistic texts to poetry and memoirs-that reflect on the
human condition during wartime. It often involves aspects related to trauma,
heroism, morality, and war in relation to civilian life, revealing the emotional and
psychological consequences of conflict. Works such as All Quiet on the Western
Front and The Things They Carried point to an authorial concern with both the
disillusioneffective vis-à-vis soldier's morally ambiguous position vis-à-vis
non-combatants.
It has also discussed the ways in which war literature does not only memorialize the
experiences of those who have lived through conflicts but also serves as a
discursive mechanism for critical review of social attitudes toward war. By engaging
with these stories, readers show ongoing respect for the sacrifices of war and the
individual and communal legacies of conflict.
After all, The Forgotten Battle is a keepsake of how war literature has the power to
stir up empathy and provoke reflections over the complicated nature of human
experiences while caught in combat. This project underlines how remembering and
making sense of these stories is crucial to our collective memory; hence, it shapes
our view on war and peace.
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BIbliography
THE MOVIE IS AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX
https://www.netflix.com/in/title/81166791
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/the-forgotten-battle.html
https://www.apa.org/international/united-nations/un-matters/rathi-war.pdf
https://warpp.info/en/m1/articles/effects-of-war
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_war
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2080482/
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/the-forgotten-battle.html
https://www.alagappauniversity.ac.in/academics/faculty-of-arts/school-of-languages/
docs/War-literature1.pdf
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/war-and-literary-studies/introduction-war-
literature-and-the-history-of-knowledge/3B85086BB0FC89C9AD1D7B0D180273A6
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Forgotten_Battle
https://www.cwgc.org/our-work/blog/the-forgotten-battle-the-true-story-of-the-battle-o
f-the-scheldt/
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/the-forgotten-battle.html
https://www.marketproject.org.uk/war-imagery-in-novels/
https://typeset.io/questions/what-are-the-different-ways-that-war-literature-has-been-
3rfuols7hl
https://archives.history.ac.uk/history-in-focus/War/books.html
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/functions-war-literature-moses-mbugua
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