At a recent Royal Dublin Fusilier
association lecture Herr Steffer dealt with the August 1914 erlebnis (experience) when
Germany had a practising
democracy, a welfare state and education system and an efficient administration. The vierzehn-achtzehn (14-18) war was nothing like the 1870, 190 day war.13 million served and there were 9 war loans. In 1915 following the sinking of the Lusitania the U-Boot war was reduced in intensity. In 1916, Verdun and the Somme ended in stalemate with tremendous losses and no gains. The hunger-winter of 1916-1917 resulted in tremendous sacrifices when women worked, fur unsere Felgrauen (for our soldiers). Ludendorf conscripted all men from 16-60 years of age. The Vaterlandes Partei and Ludendorf were ant-semitic, in 1916 the JudenZahl counted Jewish participation in the front line, equivalent numbers fought. Clearly, the Commanders were looking for a scapegoat. General Gerd von Zingen the AlpinJaegerCorps Commander regretted the old German Army was gone, destroyed at the Somme and Verdun. In 1917-1918 Rumania and Russia collapsed. In 1918 the U.S. entered the war. March 1918 the German army offensive was successful.In August 1918 the Allied breakthrough succeeded.In October 1918 a parliamentary democracy was established in Germany. Ludendorf’s attempts to undermine the Vaterland Partei were rejected.In October 1918 the U.S. called for the Kaiser to abdicate. Ludendorf was sacked, the Kaiser left Berlin and a Naval Gottterdammerung was unsupported, the KriegsMarine did not rebel. Workers and sailors councils were established. 7th November 1918 Scheiemann initiated the Deutsche Republik and von Baden asked Iebert if he was ready for democracy, he replied it cost him 2 sons during the war. The Kaiser was in Belgium, Hindenburg told the Kaisr he was safe, he left for the Netherlands and the monarchy was dissolved. The Baltic States remained under German influence. A LandesWehr Colonel Commandant Alexander from Ulster was appointed to oversee disarmament. In1918 left and right oriented factions fought each other.Herr Steffer referred to his home town of Minden, known for the 1759 Battle of Minden, the 15th Infantry Regiment was based there. A Fusilier battalion of the 15th Regiment seized Napoleon’s baggage coach at the battle of Waterloo, 1815. A KriegeFahn, Veteran’s
Association was based in Minden. Regular Army forces in Germany were reduced to 100,000. Erfullungs Politik, the politics of fulfillment was pursued. In Magdeburg, the StahlHelm (veteran’s association) was organized to pursue rights and pensions, with 1 million members. Stahlbader sind gesund (Steel ones are healthy or war was healthy) In Feld undeSeiget (undefeated). Finally HeldenBedenkTag (hero memorial days) are becoming quite popular. The vierzehn-achtzehn War in Germany has a similar status as in Ireland. Ireland did not fight in WW1 as a nation.Herr Steffer fielded questions about Gunther Grass’s recent confession about his National Socialist past.P Dunne pdunne@iol.ie