Physical And Psychological Effect Of War On Soldiers

The impact of physical and psychological turmoil is of profound significance to survivors of both World War I and II. Lasting effects like physical incapacitation and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), completely altered the quality of life soldiers experienced post war, contrasting considerably with their pre-war livelihoods.

The physical effects of the wars on returned soldiers are patent, however can be overlooked in the euphoria of surviving and returning to civilian life. Many sources clearly display the unparalleled damage to bodies as a consequence of newly developed weapons in WWI like machine guns. Although bullet injuries were predominantly fatal, medical accounts deemed soldiers like Adrian Carton de Wiart “unkillable”. Like many other combatants, he was severely injured eight times in WWI; despite these physical wounds, he continued to serve his country valiantly. Physical trauma had an overwhelming impact upon returned soldiers who were often regarded as ‘lucky’ to have survived, especially given the number that did not return. Physiological effects from mustard gas were especially grievous, if not fatal. Wilfred Owen’s poem “Dulce et Decorum Est” is a key secondary source exemplifying the harrowing and agonising effects of gas endured in WWI. Line 9 conveys the soldier’s realisation imminent danger: “Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time”. This graphically represents survival at a cost for all individuals; it also illustrates the sheer, unimaginable fear soldiers experienced daily. Weapons used in both wars like mustard gas and machinegun fire were responsible for internal damages, consequently leaving physical scars branding a permanent memory on the veteran’s body and identity; a tremendous blow to the psyches of returned soldiers.

Psychological consequences were aggravated by the wars, also significantly impacted survivors, who helped serve their country in its hours of need. The overall well-being of returned soldiers was distorted by these mental costs, though these tolls were less perceivable than physical injuries. Former soldier Jake Wood explained his state of mind after serving: “There is no feeling anymore, because to feel any emotion would also be to beckon the overwhelming blackness from you. And without any control of this self-defence mechanism my subconscious has operated.” This source demonstrates that mental anguish such as depression was a real the consequences of WWI and WWII. Australia’s unique strength of ‘mateship’ which provided comfort during the distress in combat, waned once soldiers returned to their respective states and territories. Shocking statistics presented validate that returned soldiers were 6% more likely to develop depression, as a result of the horrors they witnessed, particularly those who faced heavy fighting. An undesired and toxic legacy of both wars was the adverse and lasting physiological impacts on returned soldiers, who bore emotional scars indefinitely. The extent of the damage was profound, yet not initially recognised as impacting returned soldiers.

“As dearly as I loved that woman, her death didn’t affect me near as much as it does to sit down here and talk to you about seeing those young boys butchered during the war,” “You’d think you could forget something like that … But you can’t” .This statement by a WWII veteran displays the seemingly invisible mental wounds that soldiers brought back. Despite the distinctions between the direct scarring from specific combat experiences classified as shellshock and the more adverse long-lasting effects recognised as PTSD; both mental conditions did not discriminate in regard to returned soldiers. Returned soldiers like Crumby suffered silently through issues of substance abuse, survivor’s guilt, depression, night terrors and the inability to communicate with others, with no clear physical cause. Whilst tolerating these symptoms at war, survivors were in disbelief that they were so deeply affected by their experiences and these issues after the conclusion of their service. The service of soldiers either returned or deceased was incredibly heroic yet the apparent and lifelong physiological impact, like PTSD, felt nearly two decades later, as seen in Crumby’s account, were a horrific cost for their patriotism, which affected their lives and ability to deal with civilian life.

Despite the ‘high’ and emotional intensity felt while serving in either WWI or WWII, and the unbridled joy when returning home, returned soldiers suffered with underlying feelings of anxiety as they transitioned into very different ways of living from military to civilian. Residential life was demanding and onerous for returned soldiers, similar to when they served, military routines like drills no longer existed but new issues like financial problems, divorce and substance abuse arose in their place. Veteran of WWI, Percy Samson stated, “Everybody went on working as usual. ‘The war is over,’ someone said, but no more notice was taken than if someone said, ‘There is no parade today’. Perhaps it was hard to realise that nobody sought another’s life, that men could now live naturally.” This primary source clarifies that although the general populace was overjoyed that the war had concluded, they could not empathise with the all-encompassing horrors returned soldiers witnessed and relived through mental conditions like PTSD and physical injuries. This lack of understanding by the public exacerbated the struggle for veterans to then find employment, as employers didn’t comprehend that their valour, patriotism and military abilities could be transferable skills to everyday life and jobs, further; another impact faced by returning soldiers.

Overall, the wars had a shattering aftermath on returned soldiers, that was expressed significantly through emotional, intellectual and physical forms. Costs like mental problems, bodily wounds and the difficult conversion from active duty to life in peace-time produced a mass of afflicted soldiers, all with their share of woeful tales. For all their successes, returned soldiers often came back as ‘broken’ individuals, who were described as being a ‘shell’ of their once unaffected personalities, exemplifying the tremendous impact the wars had on them. Thus, the cost of war, the impact, extended well past the official ‘end’ of the hostilities.