World War 1 left a huge impact on the solders who fought in battle. In New Zealand around 120, 000 men registered from which 103, 000 went overseas. At the beginning when King George V declared war It caused n outbreak of support and enthusiasm among communities. The will to fight for their "Mother land" Britain build excitement and eagerness for men.
During that period of time travelling around the world was very rare. The news of World War 1 encouraged the idea of this new journey around the world. Seeing things and doing things full of thrill and pleasure. Of course, the reality was much different. These men had no idea for the journey that awaited them.
Families and communities had to bid farewell to their loved ones. Fathers, husbands, sons and brothers were separated from their families. In many communities almost the entire generation of young men were sent off to war and what they experienced at war was far from what they had expected. Conditions were tough for men. The extensive amount of heat, cold and rain really put a toll on them. Water was in limited supply and wells had to be sunk and water bottles taken off dead soldiers in order to get enough water. Hygiene was not maintained and men would go days without having a proper shower. This lead to many diseases and sicknesses and weakened men. Food was just enough to go by and for New Zealand soldiers it was tinned meat, jam, tea, and biscuits which are described as "hard as a rock". Flies were everywhere as dead bodies just piled up in small corners. Large amount of rubbish was thrown into no mans land which was the place between two enemies lines. As described in the words of a New Zealand soldier:
During that period of time travelling around the world was very rare. The news of World War 1 encouraged the idea of this new journey around the world. Seeing things and doing things full of thrill and pleasure. Of course, the reality was much different. These men had no idea for the journey that awaited them.
Families and communities had to bid farewell to their loved ones. Fathers, husbands, sons and brothers were separated from their families. In many communities almost the entire generation of young men were sent off to war and what they experienced at war was far from what they had expected. Conditions were tough for men. The extensive amount of heat, cold and rain really put a toll on them. Water was in limited supply and wells had to be sunk and water bottles taken off dead soldiers in order to get enough water. Hygiene was not maintained and men would go days without having a proper shower. This lead to many diseases and sicknesses and weakened men. Food was just enough to go by and for New Zealand soldiers it was tinned meat, jam, tea, and biscuits which are described as "hard as a rock". Flies were everywhere as dead bodies just piled up in small corners. Large amount of rubbish was thrown into no mans land which was the place between two enemies lines. As described in the words of a New Zealand soldier:
Countless hordes of flies settled on everything edible. The soldiers waved them off. The black cloud rose and descended among the filth on the other side of the parapet. Presently they were back again on the food,—and so on, from the jam to the corpse, and back again to the jam, flitted the insect swarm, ensuring that the germs of most things undesirable were conveyed to the soldier's system through his mouth.
Life was hard and getting hit by enemy bullet was not the only thing that men feared. During the Gallipoli Campaign a massive storm hit the Gallipoli Peninsula and trenches were flooded. The rain swept away almost everything in the trenches and drowning men along the way. Bodies were lift lying on no mans land for days and firing was constant. Men weakened physically and were in constant fear of their lives. Trenches were over crowded and filthy. If soldiers weren't dying by getting shot they were dying from diseases and infections.
These however are the external and physical factors on soldiers. The internal and physical pain on these men is unimaginable. Being separated from their families and home was just the beginning. Soldiers were faced with the constant sound of firing and machine guns. They saw their friends, men who they shared their war journey with being blown into pieces and their bodies lying on the ground lifeless for days. The mental pressure was massive. Being in constant fear of death and living in such harsh conditions. Many of these men were not used to such violence and the change from their lives back home to war was massive.
Trench warfare was a form of land protection for soldiers but they were over crowded and filthy. They would be filled with pee and sometimes the dead. This audio link is the voice recording of a New Zealand veteran explain about trench warfare from his experience.
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/sound/veteran-describes-trench-warfare
The amount of dead not only for New Zealand but for other countries was massive. Bodies however were left rotting for days as due to continuous battle they could not be buried or taken away.
These however are the external and physical factors on soldiers. The internal and physical pain on these men is unimaginable. Being separated from their families and home was just the beginning. Soldiers were faced with the constant sound of firing and machine guns. They saw their friends, men who they shared their war journey with being blown into pieces and their bodies lying on the ground lifeless for days. The mental pressure was massive. Being in constant fear of death and living in such harsh conditions. Many of these men were not used to such violence and the change from their lives back home to war was massive.
Trench warfare was a form of land protection for soldiers but they were over crowded and filthy. They would be filled with pee and sometimes the dead. This audio link is the voice recording of a New Zealand veteran explain about trench warfare from his experience.
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/sound/veteran-describes-trench-warfare
The amount of dead not only for New Zealand but for other countries was massive. Bodies however were left rotting for days as due to continuous battle they could not be buried or taken away.
This image only gives an indication of the death mass in the war as this is only a fraction of the actual deaths. This image is of the body pile up in France.
Soldiers were required to keep a diary during the war. These diaries showed the emotions and the thoughts of these soldiers during the war. Here is the pictures and few extracts from one New Zealand soldiers diary.
Our last day of work @ the sling and a very disappointing one. Men going on draft next week and absolutely untrained. Reinforcement officers don't care a continental about them. Absolute disgrace. (16/10/1917)
Also tin of toffee from jack. Very pleasant to a long and tiring day and one has very reason to be thankful. (05/02/1917)
Cycled home for dinner. Spent last afternoon among the tress. I enjoyed the last four days of holiday more than any since I left New Zealand. (02/05/1917)
These impacts on soldiers did not improve as they returned home. They were traumatised by what they saw at war. Many returned home different. Because of the loud and constant sound of weaponry and machine guns, veterans could not stand loud noises and still remained fearful. The psychological effects on these men were huge.
Despite all this these men earned great honour and pride for their sacrifices. The dead and living that returned are remembered each year on ANZAC Day. They came back as heroes and as New Zealanders. While at war these men saw themselves internationally among other nations. They began to see themselves as New Zealand and formed this strong sense of national pride and identity fighting and representing New Zealand internationally. It formed a unity among families and communities back home as they were going through the same thing. Also despite all the horrific conditions in war soldiers came back with pride and the earned life long friendships.
New Zealand's participations in the war led to New Zealand gaining its national identity and its recognition as a country. Soldiers being away from home and among soldiers from other countries began to realise their place in the world. The impact on soldiers was massive during the war and they are remembered as the heroes of the country and will never be forgotten not only in New Zealand's history but also world history.
Despite all this these men earned great honour and pride for their sacrifices. The dead and living that returned are remembered each year on ANZAC Day. They came back as heroes and as New Zealanders. While at war these men saw themselves internationally among other nations. They began to see themselves as New Zealand and formed this strong sense of national pride and identity fighting and representing New Zealand internationally. It formed a unity among families and communities back home as they were going through the same thing. Also despite all the horrific conditions in war soldiers came back with pride and the earned life long friendships.
New Zealand's participations in the war led to New Zealand gaining its national identity and its recognition as a country. Soldiers being away from home and among soldiers from other countries began to realise their place in the world. The impact on soldiers was massive during the war and they are remembered as the heroes of the country and will never be forgotten not only in New Zealand's history but also world history.
This image is from Auckland War Memorial and shows the section dedicated to soldiers who fought in World War 1. Their names are engraved on the walls and shows the massive appreciation and remembrance New Zealanders have for the soldiers who fought in the war and their sacrifices.
Normal men, who had average jobs became heroes fighting for our country. They faced many obstacles and harsh conditions. The impact on these men was massive, both mentally and physically. Despite all this these men gained a lot of honour and respect from New Zealanders back home and New Zealanders today.