A Snap Shot of War from the Diaries and Letters of Generals and Soldiers 

Our reflections on war are captured in different ways. The diaries of generals often read like the works of ancient Greek heroes. Brimming with purpose and almost unconscious of the human cost, they sometimes win and often lose, crushed by the Herculean weight that they try to lift. 

Generals mostly study war from a distance. The abstraction of soldiers on a map, and pawns on a chess board, makes them oblivious to the individual suffering. Here we generalize, and some generals are closer to the action. How else could they manage the impossible task of war? The reverse would be a general consumed with the human condition, paralyzed by concern and emotion. Maybe a middle ground would be best, but we do not know. 

General Patton believed in his purpose to such an extent that hubris, a huge bull shit factor, and considerable tactical ability combined in a man who thought himself bulletproof. He crossed lines regarding conduct and discipline and when eventually he was reprimanded by the Supreme Commander General Eisenhower (Ike) for inflammatory comments, this was how he recorded what happened: 

‘Reported to Ike at 1100. He was most cordial and asked me to sit down, so I felt a little reassured. He said, “George, you have gotten yourself into a very serious fix.” … He went on to say that General Marshall had wired him that my repeated mistakes have shaken the confidence of the country and the War Department. General Marshall even harked back to the Kent Lambert incident in November 1942– certainly a forgiving s.o.b. 

Ike said he had recommended that, if I were to be relieved and sent home, I be not reduced to a Colonel, as the relief would be sufficient punishment, and that he felt that situations might well arise where it would be necessary to put me in command of an army. 

… Ike said General Marshall had told him that my crime had destroyed all chance of my permanent promotion… my demonstrated lack of judgment made me unfit to command. … I told him that if I was reduced to a Colonel I demanded the right to command one of the assault regiments; that this was not a favor but a right. He said no, because he felt he would surely need me to command an army. I said, “I am not threatening, but I want to tell you that his attack is badly planned and on too narrow a front and may well result in an Anzio, especially if I am not there. He replied, “Don’t I know it, but what can I do?” That is a hell of a remark for a supreme commander. The fact is that the plan which he has approved was drawn by a group of British in 1943. Monty changed it only by getting 5 instead of 3 divisions into the assault, but the front is too short. There should be three separate attacks on at least a 90 mile front. I have said this for nearly a year.’¹

The diary entries and letters of individual soldiers are often different. Many of these letters show the tragedy, of leaving their families back home. Missing their loved ones and sending hugs to their kids many of whom they would never see again. 

Pierre Paul Antoine Minaul who served in the French Army during the First World War wrote a letter to his wife, ‘My dearest little wife: 24 Oct. 1914. Lacking all other paper, I must send one of these postcards, which I have kept preciously so far. We have moved back from the front trenches at last, and have now had two days’ rest, which has seemed to us like heaven. I for one feel a lot better for it. We shall soon move on again northward, I believe, where a good deal of fighting is going on. Do you know that since Sept. 22, I have received nothing whatever as letters… I wonder if you ever receive my letters. I send one every 3 or 4 days. How I wish to know how you are, and my 2 boys. Take care of yourself, darling, and keep good hope. Our sufferings are soon forgotten when we get a little rest and good living. A thousand kisses from your loving husband.’ 

He sadly died on the Western Front in 1914, leaving his family behind. Later on his granddaughter would read and write about her grandfather, preserving his memory.² 

Frank Curry who served in the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War recorded the humdrum, frustration, and occasional action of war. 

‘Wednesday–September 23, 1941: I picked up a sub contact just at midnight, and we held on to it for a good hour, running in on it for five separate attacks. We gave it over forty depth charges, and we felt satisfied that whatever it was, it took quite a beating. We are off Newfoundland this morning, prowling around in a dense fog. Finally into St. John’s at dark, and alongside the oil tanker for the night. 2400 leave, which means we won’t be left in harbour for long. Turned in to catch a good night’s sleep. 

Friday–September 25, 1941: Another deadly day as we plunged into rough seas, sticking close to our convoy of some 70 ships. Tossing and pitching, which means life is at its lowest ebb on our small dirty, miserable ship, crammed to the deckheads with chaps who would give anything to get away from it all for good. But it is our lot to do this, and all that keeps us going is the thought that we just will get back to normal life some day.’³

There is so much complexity to the phenomenon of war and General Robert E. Lee’s diary extract, gives us, as a matter of fact, his thoughts on the end of the United States’ Civil War. 

‘The army of Northern Virginia retreated to its home state.In March 1865 I made a last attempt to put the war to an end. 

However, I lost. In April 9,1865 I surrendered to General Grant’s army.’

Let us know your thoughts HERE. 

Tony & Max 

The War Diarists

1. Holograph diary: George S. Patton. Diary entry, May 1, 1944, Churchill and the Great Republic (A Library of Congress Interactive Exhibition, Text Version) (loc.gov) ↩︎
2. Microsoft Word – In the Trenches 122314.docx (notevenpast.org) ↩︎
3. ARCHIVED – Frank Curry – Second World War – Diaries, Letters, and Stories – Remembering those who served – Remembrance – Veterans Affairs Canada ↩︎