Invitation to Ahmadiyyat — Page 317
317 they destroyed all the green fields and pastures. Artillery lines that were spread over thousands of miles also caused untold damage. Another feature of the prophecy was that birds would lose their senses, and so it happened that birdlife became extinct in areas where fighting was taking place. Another sign mentioned in the prophecy was that the surface of the earth would undergo a great upheaval. In France, Serbia and Russia, excessive bombardment produced huge depressions, such that water gushed out from some of them. The fighting involved digging of massive trenches so that the countries that were involved in the fighting became full of these dug-outs. Looking at the landscape no one might think that they were deserted lands. Another sign was that the waters of streams would become red with blood. This happened exactly as foretold. So much blood was shed that at times rivers and streams turned red for miles. There was so much fighting on different fronts that there were literally streams of blood flowing. Another sign was regarding the difficulties experienced by travellers and wayfarers and how many would lose their way. This also came true. On the land, because of warring armies and their movements, normal routes became blocked. On the sea, owing to submarine warfare, boats carrying passengers were constantly in peril. When the war started, several hundred thousand people were stranded in enemy countries. Many of them had to reach their own countries by circuitous routes. Troops had to travel by longer routes, shorter routes being under enemy occupation. British soldiers serving in France often lost their way. To prevent this, British soldiers were ordered to wear the names of their regi - ments and their stations round their necks.