Seyyed of Quarters 15 (29)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

Monday morning of 1st, May 1989, I heard a noise of firing. A few hours later, some prisoners said that one of prisoners of quarters-16 has attempted to escape by hiding under the truck, but he had been captured when the truck was passing the military police gate. I did not understand he had become known as a result of betrayal or spies had betrayed him. Iraqis had captured and taken him out of the camp.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (28)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

One of the prisoners was a teenager from villages nearby Malekan. He spoke hardly a few Farsi words. He said he and his twin brother had been conscripted together, but they were separated in the region. He was worried about his brother and said that hasn’t heard anything of him. He fell sick badly for a few days. We reported it to the guardians until they came and took him. A few days later, he came back. He had recovered a little.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (27)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

One of warm nights of summer, we had left the windows open. It was late at night when one of the guardians came behind the window. Perhaps he is going to be amused with prisoners like some of guardians until his three-hours-watching finished quickly. Maybe he wanted to find some wrongs in prisoners and show himself to his superiors. Some of them knew members of our group and in this case, we were trying not to involve ourselves.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (26)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

One of those nights, I had a dream about Adel. I did not remember the whole dream when woke up in the morning. I saw Adel has stood next to the bathroom when was walking in the ground at the time of taking in fresh air. Iraqi soldier, Abujasm, went toward him and they began speaking with each other. It was like Abujasm wanted to go to the bathroom. Seyyed Mohammad Abujasm was one of the soldiers who named Adel ‘snail’ and ‘lizard’, and tormented him and a large number of prisoners.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (25)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

Cold winter of Tikrit gave us hell. With the help of prisoners, Seyyed Salman and the rest of the guardians had pipes laid into the quarters and installed a faucet. It was the last winter days of 1989 and we were preparing ourselves for the coming year. Some of the prisoners remembered the special feasts, deaths, and events on our own calendar.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (24)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

After being counted in the morning and having breakfast, I picked my toothbrush and toothpaste and went to the toilet. I was brushing when my toothbrush was suddenly released my hold, fell into the toilet bowel, and got stuck in it. The Iraqis did not give us Fils for a while, therefore we could not buy our needed supplies.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (23)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

Mansour Mollahzadeh was one of the members of the base. His father had granted us one of his shops which was near the local base. We used it as the center of our Islamic Association and hold our Quran-reciting meetings there. At sunset, along with neighborhood people, whether the young or the teenagers, we gathered in front of the base and all together went to the mosque for performing congregational prayer.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (22)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

Manouchehr had broken ears and for being more comfortable, reported the news of quarters and prisoners’ conversations to the Iraqis. I said to myself that what the hell I have done. But surely the Iraqis hated anyone or anything that cause order and spirituality among the captives. On that day, the camp commander came.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (21)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

Smoker prisoners could neglect whatever but the cigarettes. Iraqis gave ‘Winston’ cigarettes to the prisoners. Tobacco and cigarette papers were separated. With greed, the smokers wrapped tobacco with papers and then wetted the end of paper with their tongue to stick together.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (20)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

At the first day of school, my brother, Seyyed Hojat, took my hand and we went to school together. A few days ago, my older brother, Jaber, had enrolled me in Reza Pahlavi School . At the first day of school, many had worn new clothes. A few of students came with their parents. Two or three of students had taken their fathers and mothers hand and were close to tears. We queued.
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Book Review

Kak-e Khak

The book “Kak-e Khak” is the narration of Mohammad Reza Ahmadi (Haj Habib), a commander in Kurdistan fronts. It has been published by Sarv-e Sorkh Publications in 500 copies in spring of 1400 (2022) and in 574 pages. Fatemeh Ghanbari has edited the book and the interview was conducted with the cooperation of Hossein Zahmatkesh.

Is oral history the words of people who have not been seen?

Some are of the view that oral history is useful because it is the words of people who have not been seen. It is meant by people who have not been seen, those who have not had any title or position. If we look at oral history from this point of view, it will be objected why the oral memories of famous people such as revolutionary leaders or war commanders are compiled.

Daily Notes of a Mother

Memories of Ashraf-al Sadat Sistani
They bring Javad's body in front of the house. His mother comes forward and says to lay him down and recite Ziarat Warith. His uncle recites Ziarat and then tells take him to the mosque which is in the middle of the street and pray the funeral prayer (Ṣalāt al-Janāzah) so that those who do not know what the funeral prayer is to learn it.

A Critique on Oral history of War Commanders

“Answering Historical Questions and Ambiguities Instead of Individual-Organizational Identification”
“Oral history of Commanders” is reviewed with the assumption that in the field of war historiography, applying this method is narrated in an advancing “new” way, with the aim of war historiography, emphasizing role of commanders in creation of its situations and details.