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Changing attitudes of soldiers (AFTER THE SOMME (As most of the casualties…
Changing attitudes of soldiers
OUTBREAK OF WAR
In Britiain cheering crowds gathered, men rushed to enlist
In Germany there was widespread enthusiasm
Military Law Proclamation of 31 July 1914 called all men to enlist
reported that 10 million men were in camp
Photos show crowds in all countries cheering soldiers off to war
belief that war would be over by Christmas
fear the war would be over before men had the chance to enlist
CHRISTMAS 1914
Christmas Day and unofficial truce occured, men fraternised with enemy troops, led to a ban on fraternisation fear of reluctance to fight
orders were issued to endure that sniping, trench raids and bomb throwing would continue
War not over, instead troops had dug in and there were mass casualties
AFTER THE SOMME
As most of the casualties were civilian recruits, their death was seen as that of 'innocents' and not an occupational hazard of professional soldiers
"The Somme was the muddy grave of the German field Army" - Ludendorff
highlighted superificiaility of the prominent debates regarding air raids and rationing
Siegfried Sassoon's 'Soldiers Declaration', refusal to return was a savage indictment of the war
During Nivelle offensive in 1917 soldiers baaed like sheep, after the battle 750,000 soldiers mutinied
enthusiasm was replaced by sense of duty