WW1 memoir

"Jim Wilkins" snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com on Thu, 29 Jun 2023 10:31:09

-0400 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following:

Why?

"Jim Wilkins" snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com on Thu, 29 Jun 2023 10:31:09

-0400 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following:

pyotr filipivich

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It's view of WW1 is different from other accounts such as McBride or Rickenbacker. He purposely reserved most of his opinions and emotional reactions for another book and describes the carnage coldly and objectively, letting the reader encounter and react to it as a participant would as the horror progresses from incomprehensible to familiar, more like ex reporter Hemingway than the literate Joshua Chamberlain.

Although he was anti-Nazi he shows you the unquestioningly obedient mindset that empowered them. I'm starting to understand how the American tendency to doubt authority is a luxury only a very powerful and geographically isolated nation can afford, and why more vulnerable ones may tend toward militance.

In contrast this is what a professional novelist did to the battle of Waterloo.

Cambronne was taken prisoner and strongly denied the account, but it's a good story.

My grandfather was in the Durham Light Inantry during the Battle of the Somme, total casualties for the DLI alone were 2469 officers and men fell in action. 121 were officers, 2348 were other ranks. approx strength before the battle was 9,600 , there were at least as many wounded, more if uou count casualties from gas and this was just one battle.

My grandfather was in the Durham Light Inantry during the Battle of the Somme, total casualties for the DLI alone were 2469 officers and men fell in action. 121 were officers, 2348 were other ranks. approx strength before the battle was 9,600 , there were at least as many wounded, more if uou count casualties from gas and this was just one battle.

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The Germans were on higher ground and could dig down 10 meters into the chalky soil to create shell-proof bunkers that withstood the week-long preparatory barrage. Unlike some of the the Allies they didn't mind pick and shovel work. They still suffered from flooding but they could pump it out and send the foul muddy water downhill to annoy the British.

"British troops were astonished at the comfort of German living conditions". If they had known they might not have expected the barrage to eliminate resistance, and tried a different plan to break the stalemate.