The translator hopes that he has succeeded in reproducing faithfully the substance and the spirit of the story, and that this little book will contribute in combating one of the forces that make for war--popular ignorance of war's realities. Let each individual fully grasp and understand the misery, degradation, and destruction that await him in war, and the barbarous ordeal by carnage will quickly become the most unpopular institution on earth. J. KOETTGEN. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE v I MARCHING INTO BELGIUM 1 II FIGHTING IN BELGIUM 8 III SHOOTING CIVILIANS IN BELGIUM 23 IV GERMAN SOLDIERS AND BELGIAN CIVILIANS 32 V THE HORRORS OF STREET FIGHTING 38 VI CROSSING THE MEUSE 45 VII IN PURSUIT 49 VIII NEARLY BURIED ALIVE ON THE BATTLEFIELD 58 IX SOLDIERS SHOOTING THEIR OWN OFFICERS 65 X SACKING SUIPPES 73 XI MARCHING TO THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE--INTO THE TRAP 82 XII AT THE MARNE--IN THE MAW OF DEATH 89 XIII THE ROUT OF THE MARNE 99 XIV THE FLIGHT FROM THE MARNE 108 XV AT THE END OF THE FLIGHT 120 XVI THE BEGINNING OF TRENCH WARFARE 130 XVII FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH THE ENEMY 142 XVIII FIGHTING IN THE ARGONNES 148 XIX CHRISTMAS IN THE TRENCHES 156 XX THE "ITCH"--A SAVIOR 164 XXI IN THE HELL OF VAUQUOIS 172 XXII SENT ON FURLOUGH 178 XXIII THE FLIGHT TO HOLLAND 183 XXIV AMERICA AND SAFETY 189 A GERMAN DESERTER'S WAR EXPERIENCE I MARCHING INTO BELGIUM At the end of July our garrison at Koblenz was feverishly agitated. Part of our men were seized by an indescribable enthusiasm, others became subject to a feeling of great depression. The declaration of war was in the air. I belonged to those who were depressed. For I was doing my second year of military service and was to leave the barracks in six weeks' time. Instead of the long wished-for return home war was facing me. Also during my military service I had remained the anti-militarist I had been before. I could not imagine what interest I could have in the mass murder, and I also pointed out to my comrades that under all circumstances war was the greatest misfortune that could happen to humanity.