Changing attitudes of soldiers Flashcards
What was the general attitude of all soldiers in August 1914?
Most soldiers believed their countries to be acting in self-defence; superiority to enemy; war would be over by Christmas. Sense of righteousness
What were the attitudes of German, French, and British soldiers in 1914?
German-encirclement; France-victim of German aggression; Britain-defending neutral Belgium
What were the motivations for most soldiers?
Peer pressure, sense of adventure, romantic ideas of war, patriotism
How many British soldiers enlisted in the August Madness (August-Sept 1914)?
500,000 men
How was service perceived by German soldiers?
Although conscription existed, still sense of patriotism; war seen as a test of manhood
French desertions from 1914-1917?
1914-500
1915-2000
1916-8000
1917->30,000
What were experiences of the war like by December 1914?
As troops dug in, notions of glory evaporating-evident war would not be over by Christmas. Experience of war somewhat modified nationalistic, pro-war attitudes, sense of empathy->Christmas truce
What were British attitudes of the war like in 1916?
Belief in ‘lions led by donkeys’-attempts to achieve breakthrough called into question skills of commanders. Men felt they were being used as cannon fodder
How did German attitudes to the war change in 1916?
Appointment of Hindenburg and Ludendorff led to the abandonment of any pretences of an offensive war. Huge losses sustained at Verdun and the Somme
How many British soldiers received the death penalty for desertion in 1916 and 1917?
~160, although unofficially, insubordinate or disillusioned soldiers deliberately placed in first wave to cross NML
What was French morale like in 1917?
Failure of Nivelle Offensive–>low morale. Troops mutinied, refusing to continue suicidal frontal attacks; court martialed and 49 were shot
What was the legacy of the Nivelle Offensive?
Conditions were improved and Nivelle was removed, but military could not rely on infantry or initiate offensives for some time
What was German morale like in 1917?
Strong sense of resignation. Entry of the US further dampened morale
How many German desertions were there in 1917?
~100,000 cases of desertion
What was British morale like in 1918?
War weariness-at Pirbright, soldiers refused duty for 3 days, although morale never declined to the point of French/German troops
