Sgt: Next week, we leave for the front. The object will be to kill as many Frenchmen as possible. Naturally, they are going to try and kill as many Russians as possible. If we kill more Frenchmen, we win. If they kill more Russians, they win. Boris: What do we win? Sgt: What do we win, private?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Soldiers discuss war goals but cannot explain the ultimate gain.
- In plain terms
- They fight to kill the enemy but do not know what they win.
- What can you take from it?
- War often lacks clear purpose.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is the point of war?
- Who benefits from conflict?
Another view
It ignores the historical complexities of war.
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