#25 Enemy: The Germans' War, ep. 1 - We Are The War

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Oct 21, 2025

The podcast explores how World War I shaped the German psyche and military culture, leading into World War II. It delves into the harrowing personal experiences of soldiers, including Hitler's rise from the trenches to the frontlines. The discussion covers the brutal realities of industrial warfare, the impact of starvation on German society, and innovative tactics like stormtrooper assaults. It highlights the chaos of post-war Germany, the rise of revolutionary sentiments, and the painful myths born from defeat.

04:08:19

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ANECDOTE

The Gettysburg Moment For Nations

Daryl Cooper describes William Faulkner's image of the Gettysburg moment to illustrate the weight of decisive gambles.
He frames national moments of 'maybe this time' as life-defining and often ruinous when they fail.

insights

INSIGHT

Artillery Created A Psychological Apocalypse

Artillery dominated WWI battlefields, producing sustained sensory terror and mass shell-shock.
The constant roar and concussion made soldiers feel hunted and exposed with no refuge.

insights

INSIGHT

Blockade Turned War Into Famine

British naval blockade starved Germany, turning food scarcity into a national crisis.
Hunger eroded social cohesion and made extreme political responses likelier after the war.

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Why the Great War Shapes WWII Generations

03:21 • 10sec

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A Personal Anecdote on Losing a War

03:31 • 5min

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The Moment of Decision in War and Life

08:51 • 5min

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Germany in 1918: A Moment to Win

14:06 • 10min

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The Reality of Industrialized Trench Warfare

24:23 • 34sec

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Daily Hell of Trench Life: Mud, Vermin, and Filth

24:57 • 21min

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Artillery, Shell Shock, and the Sensory Overload of Battle

46:25 • 26min

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Gas Warfare: The Yellow Cloud's Terror

01:12:03 • 14min

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Comparative Suffering: Which Armies Endured More?

01:26:17 • 4min

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The British Blockade and German Starvation Crisis

01:30:23 • 6min

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Famine's Social Effects and Moral Collapse

01:36:05 • 5min

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Why Some Men Were Born for War

01:40:49 • 4min

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Adolf Hitler's Path to the Front

01:44:53 • 18min

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Hitler as Dispatch Runner and Frontline Hero

02:03:18 • 7min

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Companionship and Cruelty: Fuchsl the Dog Story

02:09:58 • 9min

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Hospital Leave, Radicalization, and Home-Front Resentment

02:19:14 • 7min

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German Preparations for the 1918 Spring Offensive

02:26:28 • 9min

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Stormtrooper Tactics and Infiltration Warfare

02:35:51 • 6min

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Operation Michael: Massive Preparations and Secrecy

02:41:25 • 12min

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Opening of the Offensive: The 1918 Barrage and Advance

02:53:53 • 14min

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Tactical Breakthroughs and British Disarray

03:07:34 • 5min

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Why the Offensive Ultimately Ran Out of Steam

03:12:40 • 8min

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Follow-up Attacks and the Waning German Capacity

03:20:30 • 2min

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American Forces Arrive and Turn the Tide

03:22:45 • 21min

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Disease, Revolution, and the Collapse of Morale

03:43:36 • 6min

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Hitler's Wounding and the Endgame

03:49:33 • 2min

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Kiel Mutiny Sparks German Revolution

03:51:27 • 4min

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Abdication, Flight, and the Empire's End

03:55:28 • 2min

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Returning Soldiers, Betrayal, and the 'Stab-in-the-Back' Myth

03:57:18 • 2min

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Europe in Revolt: War's End Isn't Peace

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

Storm of Steel

Ernst Jünger

Ernst Jünger's "Storm of Steel" is a firsthand account of his experiences as a German soldier on the Western Front during World War I. The book offers a unique perspective, focusing on the soldier's daily life, the brutality of trench warfare, and the psychological impact of the conflict. Jünger's writing style is characterized by its stark realism and unflinching portrayal of violence. The book explores themes of camaraderie, survival, and the dehumanizing effects of war. It remains a significant work of war literature, offering a valuable insight into the experiences of those who fought in the Great War.

#72913

A long long way

Sebastian Barry

A Long, Long Way tells the story of Willie Dunne, a young Irish man who enlists in the British Army during World War I. Naive and eager to prove himself, Willie experiences the brutal realities of trench warfare on the Western Front. The novel explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the devastating impact of war on individuals and communities. Barry portrays the psychological toll of the conflict, as Willie grapples with the trauma and moral ambiguities of his experiences. The book also examines the complex relationship between Ireland and Britain during this period. Through Willie's journey, Barry offers a poignant and harrowing portrayal of the human cost of war.

#19234

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Intruder in the Dust

William Faulkner

William Faulkner's 'Intruder in the Dust' is a Southern Gothic novel that explores themes of race, justice, and social inequality in the American South. The story follows a young white boy who becomes involved in a murder investigation, challenging the prevailing racial prejudices of his community. Faulkner masterfully weaves together multiple perspectives and narrative voices, creating a complex and nuanced portrayal of the South's racial dynamics. The novel's exploration of justice and the search for truth remains relevant, prompting reflection on the enduring legacy of racism and the pursuit of equality. Its powerful imagery and evocative prose continue to captivate readers.

#39095

The politics of hunger

C. Paul Vincent

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#20520

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Ring of steel

Alexander Watson

Alexander Watson's 'Ring of Steel' provides a detailed and nuanced history of World War I from the viewpoint of the Central Powers. The book explores how the war affected not only the leaders but also the people of Germany and Austria-Hungary, highlighting the societal and political impacts that led to the downfall of these empires. It offers a fresh perspective on the conflict, emphasizing the human cost and the legacy of bitterness and violence left in its wake.

#1819

• Mentioned in 24 episodes

The world as will and representation

Arthur Schopenhauer

The book is divided into four parts. The first part addresses the world as representation, the second details the world as will, the third discusses art and beauty as the only way to transcend the painful human condition, and the fourth discusses ethics and the ascetic ideal. Schopenhauer argues that the will is the underlying reality of the world, beyond mere appearances, and that it is characterized by ceaseless striving and suffering.

The First World War shattered a generation of Europeans. Killing took place on a monumental scale, as whole societies gave their all for their countries. German men who spent their young adulthood in the murderous trenches of the Great War, only to be crushed under the weight of a hostile world, would be senior officers in Hitler’s Wehrmacht, while their sons prepared for a rematch as young soldiers, sailors, and airmen. The harrowing experience of the First World War forged the men who fought the Second World War, so our story starts with that experience.

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