Daily Life During World War I

306 Pages·2002·3.74 MB·English

by  Neil M. Heyman

DAILY LIFE DURING
WORLD WAR I
NEIL M.HEYMAN
GREENWOOD PRESS
DAILY LIFE DURING
WORLD WAR I
The GreenwoodPress “DailyLife ThroughHistory”Series
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DAILY LIFE DURING
WORLD WAR I
NEIL M.HEYMAN
The Greenwood Press “Daily Life Through History” Series
GREENWOOD PRESS
Westport, Connecticut • London
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Heyman,NeilM.
DailylifeduringWorldWarI / NeilM.Heyman.
p. cm.—(TheGreenwoodPress“Dailylifethroughhistory”series,ISSN1080–4749)
Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.
ISBN0–313–31500–0(alk.paper)
1. WorldWar,1914–1918—Socialaspects. I. Title. II. Series.
D521.H427 2002
940.3—dc21 2001058341
BritishLibraryCataloguinginPublicationDataisavailable.
Copyright(cid:1)2002byNeilM.Heyman
Allrightsreserved.Noportionofthisbookmaybe
reproduced,byanyprocessortechnique,withoutthe
expresswrittenconsentofthepublisher.
LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber:2001058341
ISBN:0–313–31500–0
ISSN:1080–4749
Firstpublishedin2002
GreenwoodPress,88PostRoadWest,Westport,CT06881
AnimprintofGreenwoodPublishingGroup,Inc.
www.greenwood.com
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
TM
Thepaperusedinthisbookcomplieswiththe
PermanentPaperStandardissuedbytheNational
InformationStandardsOrganization(Z39.48–1984).
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Professor Alvin Coox (1924–1999)

Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Chronology of Events xi
Introduction 1
Part I: The Military World 9
1. Recruitment and Training 11
2. Equipment and Rations 27
3. Trench Life 41
4. The Experience of Battle 57
5. The Sea and Air War 77
6. Casualties and Medical Care 95
7. Women and the Military 119
8. Prisoners of War 135
Part II: The Civilian World 153
9. The Home Front 155
10. Civilian Hardships 175
viii Contents
11. Food 195
12. Women at Home 211
Part III: Results and the War’s End 233
13. Bereavement 235
14. The Armistice and Demobilization 253
Selected Bibliography 265
Index 275
Acknowledgments
The topic of World War I is both fascinating and forbidding. The study
of its social aspects is particularly complex as well as emotionally en-
gaging. The author wishes to express his thanks for the help he has
received in his effort to examine that challenging topic.
The College of Arts and Letters of San Diego State Universitygranted
me several leaves to pursue my research and writing and also provided
me with the funds needed for essential travel. Professor JoanneFerraro,
my friend and colleague in the Department of History, has given in-
valuable advice and support throughout the project. An equally helpful
friend, Larry Laufer, M.D., aided me with generous advice in coping
with the medical issues raised by a study of life during World War I.
In my search for appropriate photographs, I received copious assis-
tance at the Hoover Library Archives from Mr. Remy Squires. Mr. Ian
Small of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission helped me in the
same endeavor and from a much greater distance.
My thanks go as well to my editor, Barbara Rader, who has provided
the ideal mixture of enthusiasm, curiosity, and informed criticism.And,
as always, the deepest thanks to Brenda, Mark, and David.
The historical profession has many talented and energetic members.
Some are also generousinencouragingandpromotingtheworkoftheir
younger colleagues. Professor Alvin Coox, a member of my department
at San Diego State University and a distinguished scholar in Japanese
militaryhistory,exemplifiedthatkindofgenerosity.Idedicatethisbook
to him in fond remembrance.