World War 1: Changing attitudes to war in Britain and Germany focusing on four key times. 1)Outbreak, 2)Christmas 1914, 3)After the Battle of the Somme and 4) Mid 1918

"You will be home before the leaves have fallen from their trees." <Tab/>As in most war, the first casualty was the truth. When Europe slid from a nervous peace into raging war, almost everyone anticipated a brisk, spectacular and triumphant campaign. In the summer of July 1914, war was a great and glorious suggestion. Not yet real, a 'good ole biff' was a glamorous image that appealed to soldiers and civilians …

…were well and truly peaceful. The armistice was signed on the 11th of November and weary civilians rejoiced while traumatized troops returned to live with gruesome nightmares for the rest of their lives. A wise historian once said, "War a glorious idea, but glorious only in idea." In truth, war is ugly, tragic and ultimately has no victor. Sadly, it took four years of fighting for the people and soldiers of Europe to learn this.