ECavallari – War Women

Question: What is your perception of the First World War?

My perception

My perception of the First World War is of a long and exhausting war. In addition, I associate the First World War to the trenches of the Carso. I remember a school trip we made during the primary school: we went to the Carso and we visited the trenches. The strong impression I got from that school trip stuck in my mind and it is still clear when I think of the First World War.

My  father’s answer   

When I asked my father his perception of the First World War he immediately thought of Mount San Michele, a scenario of the Great War, on whose peak a cannon remembers the fallen soldiers. My father has the perception of a disastrous conflict, cause of many useless victims, because of the Italian generals’ lack of preparation and incompetence.

In addition he associates the Great War to a song he learned at school: the song of Piave. He remembers that in the primary school, the teacher wanted him and his classmates to sing that song together. They liked it, since it is connected to the Italian counterattack against the Austrian army.

Finally, he told me that two of his great-grandfathers had to fight one against the other, because one belonged to the Italian army, the other was called to fight for the Austrian army. 

My mother’s answer

My mother was born in a small town situated in the northern countryside of Germany. The First World War didn’t have direct repercussions on those places but many families lost their men called on to fight for the German army. What she clearly remembers is the following Crisis that overwhelmed Germany and fomented nationalistic movements.

My German grandmother’s answer

My German grandmother was born in the 1941. Her perception of the First World War is connected to the memory of her grandfather. Indeed she told me that her grandfather Klaus Bartelz, born in the 1876, had to go to the French frontline. As he came back he was insane and shocked. He wasn’t able anymore to work in his fields alone, and he had to be accompanied by his sisters. He lived in my grandmother’s home, and he never told anything about the War.

Question: What was the role of women during the First World War?

My perception

I think that women covered a significant role during the First World War: they had to replace men’s working positions in the factories and to work to prepare the soldiers’ equipments, uniforms and so on. In addition they were really important as nurses on the frontline and in the military hospitals.

My father’s answer

My father agreed with me: women’s role was crucial during the Great War. Women were brave and prepared nurses and useful messengers. In addition women who remained at home were indispensable to carry on the society and the families.

My mother’s answer

My mother underlined once again the importance of women during the War. In particular, since her home town is next to the North Sea, she remembers that women had to host in their houses many companies of soldiers, who waited for a call and had to be ready to leave for the French frontline.