Postcard of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Kaiser Franz Joseph, in the Secessionist style. Kaiser Wilhelm is wearing the uniform and shako of the Death's Head Hussars.

Völkerkrieg (people's war)

1914; In Treue Fest



People's War

Firm in Loyalty

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Friday, December 18, 1914

"Russian Poland, December 18, '14.

In the name of Christianity I send you these words.

My conscience forces me as a Christian German soldier to inform you of these lines.

Wounded Russians are killed with the bayonet according to orders.

And Russians who have surrendered are often shot down in masses according to orders, in spite of their heartrending prayers.

In hope that you, as the representative of a Christian State, will protest against this, I sign myself,

A German Soldier and Christian.

I would give my name and regiment, but these words could get me court-martialed for divulging military secrets."

Quotation Context

A letter published in Germany claiming to be by a German soldier and eyewitness.

Source

The Great Events of the Great War in Seven Volumes by Charles F. Horne, Vol. II, 1914, p. 411, copyright © 1920 by The National Alumnia, publisher: The National Alumni, publication date: 1920

Tags

1914-12-18, 1914, December, Poland, Russian Poland