The review., 1918-05-30
CHAPTER |.


I am German soldier. Naturally
at the time when the war started we
did not know that there would be such
war as is being waged today
Daily we soldiers were told that
France and Russia wanted to attack
us and that the kaiser was doing ev-
erything possible for our protection.
Already on July 20 we were armed to
the teeth and prepared to march away.
During these preparations, which
showed US all that war had to come,
18 men of my company deserted.
The government published, during
this time, bulletins almost hourly to
prepare the people for the war, a
subterfuge that succeeded perfectly.
Consequently two days before war was
declared, the people were Overwhelm-
1ngly for war, but they were certain
that 1t was only to be between Ger
many and France.
OF the Intervention of Belgium,
Russia, England and Italy, the coun-
try had as little thought as it did of
any participation of the United States.
All thought only of the promenade to
Paris, which, to the disappointment of
the people, and also, surely to the
disappointment of the autocracy, has
been longer drawn out than had been
wished for.
In these days Of uncertainty the
soldiers, contrary to the cruel treat
ment which they had experienced be-
fore, were treated literally with great |
quantities Of supplies, delicacies and |
beer, so that most of the soldiers were
30 drunk continuously that they were
unable to realize the seriousness of
the situation.
And yet the majority of the SOL
d1ers could not be enthused over the
war. They cheered and were 'enthu-
eiastic because they knew it was the
orders. Gu July 81, 1914, one day be-
fore the declaration of war, we left,
after being brought to war strength,
for our garrison at Mainz-am-Rheine.
Where the enemy toward which we
were to point our bayonets was we
had not the slightest idea. All we did
know was that we had to be trans
ported somewhere to protect the bOr-
der.
There we're stirring times as we
started out. Tens of thousands of l.
people threw flowers at us and all
wanted to shake hands. All-even
soldiers-cried! Many embraced their
wives or young brides The bands
played farewell songs and people
laughed and cried all at the same
time. Strangers embraced and kissed
each other. "a veritable witch's holi-
day of emotion was loosened and en-
quilted the popnlace like a storm. No I
one, not even the strongest, could re-
g1st It's powers. Yet even this was {
surpassed by the leave-taking at the
depot, wh9re last farewells had to be I
said. This scene will never leave me! +
How desperately many women clung Y
TO their men Many had to be forcibly
removed. $
But this was at last done and then l
we were placed in cattle cars. Night t
came and We had no lights. The train S
went slowly toward the Rhine. It
Went smoothly enough. Our company, Z
Wnlcn had had days of great excite u
ment' welcomed the rest that the Jour t
ney afforded. Most Of the soldiers $
glept with their knapsacks as pillows. v
0tners looked dreamily into the flu. h
Eure. Still others secretly pulled pic t
Mres from their breastpockets and only
n very few killed time by discussion Fl
And comment on their possible desti- +
aation. =
where are we going?" Yes u
|Ynere! No one knew. Then after a.
endless hours, the train stopped. We "
we're IN Duren. What were we there +,
or we did not know. The officers a.
Rnly shrugged their shoulders at orr o
iuestions. ou' s