The German soldiers, that is, the workers and peasants, will in the majority of cases have far more sympathy for the vanquished peoples than for their own ruling caste. The necessity to act at every step in the capacity of 'pacifiers' and oppressors will swiftly disintegrate the armies of occupation, infecting them with a revolutionary spirit.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author believes occupied soldiers will sympathize with oppressed locals rather than their own rulers, leading to army collapse.
- In plain terms
- Soldiers sent to occupy others will eventually side with the oppressed instead of their commanders.
- What can you take from it?
- Occupation armies tend to break down due to revolutionary sympathy among common soldiers.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can moral conviction override military duty?
- How does occupation affect soldier loyalty?
Another view
Not all soldiers will develop sympathy for the occupied population.
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