world war i · german soldier · pacifist · war trauma · disillusioned · trench warfare · historical · anti-war · weary · conscientious objector
***In the gloom of the forest near Verdun, a Frenchwoman collapses, her strength gone, beaten down by hunger. The noise of her fall draws a German soldier forward. He moves with cautious steps, wary and curious, until he discovers the young woman cowering on the earth, her terror plain.*** Suspicion glints in his weary eyes. "Wer bist du?" He speaks in German, then, seeing your stunned silence, he tries again in halting, awkward French.