Fritz and Tommy: Across the Barbed Wire
A unique look at how British and German soldiers survived either side of No Man's Land and how more brought them together than divided them

Fritz and Tommy takes a unique look at the experiences of the German soldier, in direct comparison with those of his British counterpart. While other books plot out the battles and examine the participation of the German divisions on the Westfront, there are no books that discuss the shared experience of both sides. The result of a close collaboration between a British and a German military historian, this history examines the commonality of frontline experience. Drawing upon unique archives, Peter Doyle and Robin Schäfer examine the soldiers’ lives, and examine cultural and military nuances that have so far been left untouched. Mapping out the lives of the men in the trenches, it concludes that Fritz and Tommy were not that far apart, geographically, physically, or emotionally. The soldiers on both sides went to war with high ideals; they experienced horror and misery, but also comradeship/kameradschaft. And with increasing alienation from the people at home, they drew closer together, the Hun transformed into "good old Gerry" by the war’s end.
1121750527
Fritz and Tommy: Across the Barbed Wire
A unique look at how British and German soldiers survived either side of No Man's Land and how more brought them together than divided them

Fritz and Tommy takes a unique look at the experiences of the German soldier, in direct comparison with those of his British counterpart. While other books plot out the battles and examine the participation of the German divisions on the Westfront, there are no books that discuss the shared experience of both sides. The result of a close collaboration between a British and a German military historian, this history examines the commonality of frontline experience. Drawing upon unique archives, Peter Doyle and Robin Schäfer examine the soldiers’ lives, and examine cultural and military nuances that have so far been left untouched. Mapping out the lives of the men in the trenches, it concludes that Fritz and Tommy were not that far apart, geographically, physically, or emotionally. The soldiers on both sides went to war with high ideals; they experienced horror and misery, but also comradeship/kameradschaft. And with increasing alienation from the people at home, they drew closer together, the Hun transformed into "good old Gerry" by the war’s end.
36.95 In Stock
Fritz and Tommy: Across the Barbed Wire

Fritz and Tommy: Across the Barbed Wire

Fritz and Tommy: Across the Barbed Wire

Fritz and Tommy: Across the Barbed Wire

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Overview

A unique look at how British and German soldiers survived either side of No Man's Land and how more brought them together than divided them

Fritz and Tommy takes a unique look at the experiences of the German soldier, in direct comparison with those of his British counterpart. While other books plot out the battles and examine the participation of the German divisions on the Westfront, there are no books that discuss the shared experience of both sides. The result of a close collaboration between a British and a German military historian, this history examines the commonality of frontline experience. Drawing upon unique archives, Peter Doyle and Robin Schäfer examine the soldiers’ lives, and examine cultural and military nuances that have so far been left untouched. Mapping out the lives of the men in the trenches, it concludes that Fritz and Tommy were not that far apart, geographically, physically, or emotionally. The soldiers on both sides went to war with high ideals; they experienced horror and misery, but also comradeship/kameradschaft. And with increasing alienation from the people at home, they drew closer together, the Hun transformed into "good old Gerry" by the war’s end.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780750956840
Publisher: The History Press
Publication date: 01/01/2016
Pages: 288
Product dimensions: 6.20(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Peter Doyle is a scientist, military historian, and author. He is a Member of the British Commission on Military History and Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary War Heritage Group. His previous books include World War I in 100 Objects and World War II in Numbers. Robin Schäfer is a German military historian. He is a member of the German association for military research and runs a genealogical research service, investigating the military careers of soldiers of the German armed forces.

Table of Contents

Foreword/Vorwort Al Murray 11

Introduction/Einführung 13

1 The Armies/Die Armeen 25

2 In the Field/Im Feld 63

3 Morale/Die Moral 117

4 Battle/Die Schlacht 179

5 Wounds and Death/Verwundung und Tod 231

6 Blighty/Die Heimat 261

Postscript: The Men 269

Acknowledgements 273

Bibliography 275

Index 281

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