> Throughout the war, stretches of the Western Front observed an unofficial “live and let live” policy between Germans and their French or British enemies. By mutual agreement, both sides agreed not to attack the other unless ordered — and would even schedule truces for meals and bathroom breaks.
There are no simple situations in war. The soldiers on all sides of this one were, by and large, eager to be anywhere else. It was a stupid war that accomplished little besides the pointless bloodshed.
It’s likely your grandfather was a good man with no desire to kill Germans. It’s likely whoever shot him felt the same.
Back than that was normal thing. Just watch, or read, All Quite in the West. Especially the scene right before the boys graduate highschool. Also, the war was supposed to be over by Christmas. And once reality hit it was too late.
I am well aware of that, and have read Im Westen Nichts Neues a number of times.
This doesn't affect my point: Huge numbers volunteered for slaughtering and being slaughtered, many with gusto and in great haste.
My grandfather served in WW2, not WW1. In his case, he actually lied about his age to join, and also was made to temporarily change the German surname you might notice in my username. He was enlisted for the duration and stayed on for decades after. Only left when they made him (medical).
I don't think its quite fair to label this a personal attack, and I don't agree with it getting flagged.
Your link also states "Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation"
Both their parent and GP were talking about reading conflicting things. Reading around to get a better sense of the truth of the matter would seem, reasonable.
Of course a less pithy comment, where the meaning was clear would be best of all.
That’s not what the article says.
> Throughout the war, stretches of the Western Front observed an unofficial “live and let live” policy between Germans and their French or British enemies. By mutual agreement, both sides agreed not to attack the other unless ordered — and would even schedule truces for meals and bathroom breaks.