Reference no: EM133310972
Assignment:
Letter by an Anonymous German Soldier 3 November 1914: On 4 October we were quietly riding along a country road in France. Suddenly a dispatch rider dashes up, bringing the news that 2 cavalry brigades (double our number) have been sighted 2,000 yards off. We walked our horses for about 500 yards, then took our positions in sections. Then off at a gallop with tilted lances and sabers hanging on our arms. Each of us knew what it meant to have to fight against double numbers. A hasty shake-hands with the comrades-a last prayer-a pat on the faithful horse's neck-then on.
The trumpeters blow "quick gallop." Soon we were in a glen, then over a hill and at a distance of 200 yards we saw the enemy galloping towards us; we could even hear the horses snorting. When we were about a 100 yards off each other, our captain called "Steady," 30 yards-and I saw him draw his revolver-a report, and the French leader sinks from his horse. A fearful encounter followed. Lance against lance, man against man, and every now and then revolver reports.
Suddenly, I see my Sergeant surrounded by 8 Frenchmen. We hew him out and in a few seconds 8 young enemies are lying on the grass that is dyed red with their blood. Our Sergeant is safe and we go rushing on. Most of us have lost our lances or left them sticking in our enemies. Now we take to our sabers, we are all intoxicated with rage and want revenge for our fallen comrades. Shoulder to shoulder, over the corpses of men and horses-we don't know what we are doing in our rage-"Halt, what is that?" The trumpets, at about 50 yards, sound retreat.
The French shout Hurrah, for they think they have put us to flight and are ever so pleased. Little they think what is going to happen. To our right, the corner of a wood, there, under cover (we did not know it ourselves) 8 machine guns, which at once begin their gruesome work and man for man is mowed down... The whole engagement has barely lasted one hour. In this space of time, 3,000 enemies lost their lives. It was a ghastly sight-wherever you looked, nothing but dead and wounded, groaning and screaming! I almost lost consciousness.
1. Briefly summarize the German soldier's letter.
2. What technological and tactical changes does this incident reveal? Why did the German soldier almost lose consciousness? Explain.