The British soldier had gone to war full of patriotism and enthusiasm. He had been led to believe that the German was a barbarian who had trampled over half of Europe, raped women, murdered babies and committed every possible atrocity. He believed, also, that Britain had the most capable generals and the government and people at home were solidly behind him. To many it was more like a crusade than a political war. But after his arrival at the front the soldier’s feelings changed. Although he didn’t see many Germans he came to realize that his opponent was an honest fighter, a patriotic man, who loved his Fatherland as much as the British soldier his country, and that it was the ordinary soldiers who shared the danger and miseryof the trenches. This change of attitude by the British soldiers was not immediate, nor was it universal, but it was very widespread.
As the British soldier softened his attitude towards the enemy in their trenches a few yards away, his feelings towards those behind him hardened. One of the controversies of the First World War was the extent to which the ordinary soldier lost faith in his generals. Having been in contact with over 500 men of 1916, I have come to this opinion. Initially, the British generals held the complete trust of their men. By their apparent inability to solve the stalemate and their apparent indifference to the sufferings of their men they gradually lost this trust. By 1916 the process had only just started; even by 1918 it was still not complete, for some had faith in the generals to the end. The real bitterness and hatred did not show itself until after the war was over and the men realized the full extent of the tragedy. Even then, a few remained loyal to their old leaders.
