| What the men behind the desks had in store for the boys behind the lines |
| Rudyard Kipling, an avid propagandist for the war, lost his only son John in the Great War. He was killed on September 27, 1915 in the Battle of Loos at only 18 years of age, one of 20,000 British soldiers who were lost at that Battle. Second Lieutenant John Kipling was shot in the mouth and laid in a shell crater by a sergeant. A grieving and guilt filled Rudyard Kipling wrote: If any ask us why we died, Tell them ' Because our fathers lied ' |
In 1915, the American public was firmly against becoming involved in a foreign war. That wouldn't
last too long. Soon enough, the war mongers were at their devilish best instigating, lying and
deceiving, and the boys were sent to die..by the millions.
last too long. Soon enough, the war mongers were at their devilish best instigating, lying and
deceiving, and the boys were sent to die..by the millions.
Rudyard Kipling had encouraged his son to enlist, even though the boy suffered from very poor eyesight. When
his application was rejected on medical grounds, John decided to become a Private instead. His father then
pulled some strings, and John became a Second Lieutenant in the Second Battalion of the Irish Guards. When
Kipling received the telegram from the War saying that John was missing in action, he and his wife made
countless journeys to France, searching for news on him, eventually concluding he must indeed be dead.
his application was rejected on medical grounds, John decided to become a Private instead. His father then
pulled some strings, and John became a Second Lieutenant in the Second Battalion of the Irish Guards. When
Kipling received the telegram from the War saying that John was missing in action, he and his wife made
countless journeys to France, searching for news on him, eventually concluding he must indeed be dead.
Kipling, along with writers Conan Doyle, John Masefield, William Archer, John Galsworthy, Thomas
Hardy, H. G. Wells and others were summoned to a secret meeting arranged by Charles Masterman
of the War Propaganda Bureau to discuss ways of promoting Britain's interests during the war in
1914. It was not until 1935 that the activities of the War Propaganda Bureau became public. Several
of those attending the meeting agreed to write pamphlets and books that promoted the government's
position. When Conan Doyle wrote the pamphlet, To Arms! in 1914, the WPB arranged for 55 year
old Doyle to go the Western Front, and he served as a private throughout the war. Doyle wrote
several other war books. His son, Kingsley Conan Doyle, joined the British Army and after being
wounded at the Somme died after developing pneumonia.
Hardy, H. G. Wells and others were summoned to a secret meeting arranged by Charles Masterman
of the War Propaganda Bureau to discuss ways of promoting Britain's interests during the war in
1914. It was not until 1935 that the activities of the War Propaganda Bureau became public. Several
of those attending the meeting agreed to write pamphlets and books that promoted the government's
position. When Conan Doyle wrote the pamphlet, To Arms! in 1914, the WPB arranged for 55 year
old Doyle to go the Western Front, and he served as a private throughout the war. Doyle wrote
several other war books. His son, Kingsley Conan Doyle, joined the British Army and after being
wounded at the Somme died after developing pneumonia.
England in 1914 was home to a sizeable, old and generally well respected German community, but
beginning with the first days of war in August 1914, there were anti-German riots in towns as
Peterborough and Keighley, one of which killed 57 civilians, and these riots continued until the nation-
wide ‘Lusitania’ riots of May 1915. Officials all but concluded that 'the Germans deserved what they
got.' While the bogus 'Bryce report' of German atrocities was being concocted in Britain, and all the
time the media was whipping up German hating, British forces were no angels. They carried out air
raids of their own on German cities, used poison gas in battles on the Western Front and executed
two German nurses (in circumstances similar to those surrounding Edith Cavell, condemned as a spy
by the Germans). The Royal Navy's inhumane trade blockade of Germany also caused hundreds of
thousands of German civilians to starve to death. Americans were not told.
beginning with the first days of war in August 1914, there were anti-German riots in towns as
Peterborough and Keighley, one of which killed 57 civilians, and these riots continued until the nation-
wide ‘Lusitania’ riots of May 1915. Officials all but concluded that 'the Germans deserved what they
got.' While the bogus 'Bryce report' of German atrocities was being concocted in Britain, and all the
time the media was whipping up German hating, British forces were no angels. They carried out air
raids of their own on German cities, used poison gas in battles on the Western Front and executed
two German nurses (in circumstances similar to those surrounding Edith Cavell, condemned as a spy
by the Germans). The Royal Navy's inhumane trade blockade of Germany also caused hundreds of
thousands of German civilians to starve to death. Americans were not told.
Manfred von Richthofen, left, loved
risks. He once climbed a church
steeple at Wahlstatt, tying a kerchief
to its lighting rod. Manfred, from a
wealthy Junker family with a riding
and hunting tradition, was a cavalry
officer when the war broke out. He
saw duty on both the Eastern and
Western fronts as an Army scout.
risks. He once climbed a church
steeple at Wahlstatt, tying a kerchief
to its lighting rod. Manfred, from a
wealthy Junker family with a riding
and hunting tradition, was a cavalry
officer when the war broke out. He
saw duty on both the Eastern and
Western fronts as an Army scout.
He spoke at the end of the terrible human cost of the war, and the personal responsibility he felt in
taking so many lives. On April 21, 1918, his career ended when he was shot down over enemy lines.
His opponents gave him a hero’s funeral. Above right: "A Gallant Foe"
taking so many lives. On April 21, 1918, his career ended when he was shot down over enemy lines.
His opponents gave him a hero’s funeral. Above right: "A Gallant Foe"
John McCrae was a Canadian physician who fought on the Western Front
in 1914 before being transferred to the medical corps and assigned to a
hospital in France. He died of pneumonia while on active duty in 1918 at 46
years old. His volume of poetry, In Flanders Fields and Other Poems, was
published in 1919.
in 1914 before being transferred to the medical corps and assigned to a
hospital in France. He died of pneumonia while on active duty in 1918 at 46
years old. His volume of poetry, In Flanders Fields and Other Poems, was
published in 1919.
| In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. |
Shropshire lad Wilfred Owen began to write at the age of 17. He was a devout
Christian who spent a year assisting a minister before going to France to teach English.
In 1915, Owen enlisted in the Artists' Rifles before receiving his officer's commission
with a Manchester Regiment in 1916. After training, he was sent to France where he
saw a lot of action, being sent back from the front with shell shock. In 1918, he wrote
many of his best known poem.
Christian who spent a year assisting a minister before going to France to teach English.
In 1915, Owen enlisted in the Artists' Rifles before receiving his officer's commission
with a Manchester Regiment in 1916. After training, he was sent to France where he
saw a lot of action, being sent back from the front with shell shock. In 1918, he wrote
many of his best known poem.
"Nothing is so trying as a continuous, terrific
barrage such as we experienced in this battle,
especially the intense English fire during my second
night at the front. Darkness alternates with light as
bright as day. The earth trembles and shakes like a
jelly..and those men who are still in the front line
hear nothing but the drum-fire, the groaning of
wounded comrades, the screaming of fallen horses,
the wild beating of their own hearts, hour after hour,
night after night. Even during the short respite
granted them their exhausted brains are haunted in
the weird stillness by recollection of unlimited
suffering. They have no way of escape, nothing is left
them but ghastly memories and resigned
anticipation..."Haven't you got a bullet for me,
Comrades?" cried a Corporal who had one leg torn
off and one arm shattered by a shell - and we could
do nothing for him...The battlefield is really nothing
but one vast cemetery." Private Gerhard Gurtier,
German Soldier, August 10, 1917 in a letter written on
the receiving end of the Allied barrage at the Battle of
Passchendaele four days before he was killed.
barrage such as we experienced in this battle,
especially the intense English fire during my second
night at the front. Darkness alternates with light as
bright as day. The earth trembles and shakes like a
jelly..and those men who are still in the front line
hear nothing but the drum-fire, the groaning of
wounded comrades, the screaming of fallen horses,
the wild beating of their own hearts, hour after hour,
night after night. Even during the short respite
granted them their exhausted brains are haunted in
the weird stillness by recollection of unlimited
suffering. They have no way of escape, nothing is left
them but ghastly memories and resigned
anticipation..."Haven't you got a bullet for me,
Comrades?" cried a Corporal who had one leg torn
off and one arm shattered by a shell - and we could
do nothing for him...The battlefield is really nothing
but one vast cemetery." Private Gerhard Gurtier,
German Soldier, August 10, 1917 in a letter written on
the receiving end of the Allied barrage at the Battle of
Passchendaele four days before he was killed.
| What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle Can patter out their hasty orisons. No mockeries for them from prayers or bells; Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, - The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; And bugles calling for them from sad shires. What candles may be held to speed them all? Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes. The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; Their flowers the tenderness of silent minds, And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds. |
21 year old Vera Brittain was an undergraduate
student at Somerville College, Oxford. Brittain
interrupted her studies to enlist as a volunteer
nurse when war broke out, nursing casualties in
England and on the Western Front. For four
years she witnessed the horrors of war first
hand, and also experienced the loss of her
fiance, her brother, and two close friends. She
wrote Testament of Youth, a powerfully written
memoir which was published in 1933. Brittain
became an influential pacifist in World War 2
student at Somerville College, Oxford. Brittain
interrupted her studies to enlist as a volunteer
nurse when war broke out, nursing casualties in
England and on the Western Front. For four
years she witnessed the horrors of war first
hand, and also experienced the loss of her
fiance, her brother, and two close friends. She
wrote Testament of Youth, a powerfully written
memoir which was published in 1933. Brittain
became an influential pacifist in World War 2
In Military Executions of the war, the British executed 346 of their own British and Commonwealth soldiers,
most suffering from shell-shock, for alleged desertion and cowardice during World War One. The French
executed 600 of their own. The Germans 48.
most suffering from shell-shock, for alleged desertion and cowardice during World War One. The French
executed 600 of their own. The Germans 48.
Mobilized-Dead-Wounded-Missing/POW;
Russia 12,000,000 1,700,000 4,950,000 2,500,000
Austria-Hungary 7,800,000 1,200,000 3,620,000 2,200,000
Germany 11,000,000 1,773,700 4,216,058 1,152,800
Italy 5,615,000 650,000 947,000 600,000
France 8,410,000 1,375,800 4,266,000 537,000
Turkey 2,850,000 325,000 400,000 250,000
Great Britain 8,904,467 908,371 2,090,212 191,652
Serbia 707,343 45,000 133,148 152,958
Romania 750,000 335,706 120,000 80,000
Belgium 267,000 13,716 44,686 34,659
Bulgaria 1,200,000 87,500 152,390 27,029
Portugal 100,000 7,222 13,751 12,318
Montenegro 50,000 3,000 10,000 7,000
US 4,355,000 126,000 234,300 4,526
Greece 230,000 5,000 21,000 1,000
Japan 800,000 300 907 3
Russia 12,000,000 1,700,000 4,950,000 2,500,000
Austria-Hungary 7,800,000 1,200,000 3,620,000 2,200,000
Germany 11,000,000 1,773,700 4,216,058 1,152,800
Italy 5,615,000 650,000 947,000 600,000
France 8,410,000 1,375,800 4,266,000 537,000
Turkey 2,850,000 325,000 400,000 250,000
Great Britain 8,904,467 908,371 2,090,212 191,652
Serbia 707,343 45,000 133,148 152,958
Romania 750,000 335,706 120,000 80,000
Belgium 267,000 13,716 44,686 34,659
Bulgaria 1,200,000 87,500 152,390 27,029
Portugal 100,000 7,222 13,751 12,318
Montenegro 50,000 3,000 10,000 7,000
US 4,355,000 126,000 234,300 4,526
Greece 230,000 5,000 21,000 1,000
Japan 800,000 300 907 3
German prisoners of war
Before antibiotics were discovered, minor injuries could prove fatal through infection and gangrene.
The Americans recorded that 44% of casualties that developed gangrene died. The Germans
recorded that 12% of leg wounds and 23% of arm wounds resulted in death, mostly from infection.
50% of those with head injuries died and only 1% of those wounded in the abdomen survived. 75%
of the wounds inflicted during the war came from shell fire, resulting in more traumatic injury than a
gunshot wound. A shell fragment introduced debris making it more susceptible to infection. The
shelling also produced tremendous psychological damage. Men would often suffer debilitating shell
shock from enduring long bombardment. It was a misunderstood condition at the time, and some of
its victims were executed as traitors.
The Americans recorded that 44% of casualties that developed gangrene died. The Germans
recorded that 12% of leg wounds and 23% of arm wounds resulted in death, mostly from infection.
50% of those with head injuries died and only 1% of those wounded in the abdomen survived. 75%
of the wounds inflicted during the war came from shell fire, resulting in more traumatic injury than a
gunshot wound. A shell fragment introduced debris making it more susceptible to infection. The
shelling also produced tremendous psychological damage. Men would often suffer debilitating shell
shock from enduring long bombardment. It was a misunderstood condition at the time, and some of
its victims were executed as traitors.
World War One's greatest killer
was disease. Sanitary
conditions in the trenches were
abysmal, and common
infections included dysentery,
typhus, and cholera as well as
inflictions such as trench mouth
and trench foot. Many Soldiers
suffered from exposure,
parasites and infections from
poor hygiene and freezing
weather. Dead bodies on
battlefields and in trenches
went unburied for weeks at a
time and remains are found
even today on old battlefields.
was disease. Sanitary
conditions in the trenches were
abysmal, and common
infections included dysentery,
typhus, and cholera as well as
inflictions such as trench mouth
and trench foot. Many Soldiers
suffered from exposure,
parasites and infections from
poor hygiene and freezing
weather. Dead bodies on
battlefields and in trenches
went unburied for weeks at a
time and remains are found
even today on old battlefields.
On May of 1915, he asked to be transferred to the Flying service. Richthofen recorded his first aerial
combat victory on September 17, 1916. By the time his short life was over, he'd shot down eighty
allied aircraft and was the shining star of the air war. His red Fokker and graceful maneuvers became
infamous to the enemy and made him a folk hero at home.
combat victory on September 17, 1916. By the time his short life was over, he'd shot down eighty
allied aircraft and was the shining star of the air war. His red Fokker and graceful maneuvers became
infamous to the enemy and made him a folk hero at home.
She led a campaign against the RAF terror
bombing of German civilians under Arthur
Harris. In 1944, she published ‘Seed of Chaos:
What Mass Bombing Really Means' and
overnight she became a target of vicious smear
tactics and media hatred and abuse. The
publication received little attention in England
but it provoked strong condemnation from
President Roosevelt and savage criticism from
the media, especially George Orwell.
bombing of German civilians under Arthur
Harris. In 1944, she published ‘Seed of Chaos:
What Mass Bombing Really Means' and
overnight she became a target of vicious smear
tactics and media hatred and abuse. The
publication received little attention in England
but it provoked strong condemnation from
President Roosevelt and savage criticism from
the media, especially George Orwell.
| Hysteria Part 10 |
About 8 million men surrendered, generally in large units, and were held in POW camps during
World War One. All nations pledged to follow the Hague Convention on fair treatment of prisoners
of war. The Camp conditions were satisfactory and even much better than in World War II, thanks
in part to the efforts of the International Red Cross and inspections by neutral nations. Germany held
2.5 million prisoners; Russia held 2.9 million and Britain and France held about 720,000, and the
U.S. held 48,000. In Russian camps, starvation was common for prisoners and about 15-20% of
their died. In Germany food was in short supply, but only 5% died.
World War One. All nations pledged to follow the Hague Convention on fair treatment of prisoners
of war. The Camp conditions were satisfactory and even much better than in World War II, thanks
in part to the efforts of the International Red Cross and inspections by neutral nations. Germany held
2.5 million prisoners; Russia held 2.9 million and Britain and France held about 720,000, and the
U.S. held 48,000. In Russian camps, starvation was common for prisoners and about 15-20% of
their died. In Germany food was in short supply, but only 5% died.
| Welch' Sterbeglock' für die, die Vieh gleich sterben? Nur der Geschütze Groll im Himmel steht. Nur schneller Schüsse stotterndes Verderben kann hastig für sie rasseln ein Gebet. Höhnt nicht mit eurem Beten ihre Taten; und keine Trauerglocke nebst den Chören - den Wahnsinnschören schrillender Granaten - soll Trauertönen aus der Heimat wehren. Welch' Sterbekerz' für die, die gehen heim? In Händen nicht, in Knabenaugen weit schimm're des Abschieds heil'ge Ewigkeit. Der Mädchen Blässe soll ihr Grabtuch sein; und ihre Blumen stiller Güte Sinn, und jede Dämmerung ein Vorhang-Ziehn |
| Anthem for Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen 1893-1918 |
| Hymne für verlorene Jugend |
McCrae apparently didn't feel the same misgivings about war as the Red Baron and urges future
generations to continue the fight in the original version of his famous poem:
generations to continue the fight in the original version of his famous poem:
Again in August 1918, he returned to France and earned the Military Cross before dying.
