Comparison of German and French Soldiers Experiences :: World War I History

Comparison of German and French Soldiers ExperiencesThe First World War was a horrible experience for all sides involved. No one was immune to the effects of this global conflict and each country was affected in mixed ways. However, one area of relative comparison can be celebrated in the experiences of the French and German soldiers. In gaining a better understanding of the French experience, Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est was particularly useful. Regarding the German soldiers experience, various selections from Erice Maria Remarques All subdued on the Western Front proved to be a valuable source of insight. A analysis of the above mentioned sources, one can note various similarities between the German and French armies during World War I in the areas of trench warfare, ill-fated troops, and military technology.Trench warfare was totally unbiased. The trench did not discriminate between cultures. This new warfare was unlike anything the world had seen before, millions of peop le died during a war that was supposed to be over in time for the holidays. each side entrenched themselves in makeshift bunkers that attempted to provide protection from the incoming shells and brave soldiers. After receiving an order to overtake the enemies bunker, soldiers trounced their way through the orbit between the opposing armies that was referred to as no mans land. The direness of the war was exemplified in a quotation taken from Remarques All Quiet on the Western Front, Attacks alternate with counter-attacks and behind the dead hillock up in the field of craters between the trenches. We are able to bring in most of the wounded that do not live too far off. But many have long to wait and we listen to them dying. (382) After years of this trench warfare, corpses of both German and French soldiers began to pile up and soldiers and civilians began to realize the futility of trench warfare.However, it was many years before any major thrusts were made along the Western b m. As soldiers past away, produces were ushered to the front to fill the dead and crippled. These recruits were typically not well prepared for the rigors of war and were very often mowed down due to their stupidity. Both the French and Germans were guilty of sending ill-prepared youths to the front under the guise that It is sweet and fitting to die for ones country. (380) Owens Dulce et Decorum Est is a prime example of this false optimism created by the military machine in France to recruit eager new troops to die a heros death on the front lines.