[Sharon]

All armies in the Great War (aka World War 1, 1914-1918) used soldiers well under the recruitment age of 18. At the beginning of the war the enthusiasm to join the battle was so great that boys (and even girls) as young as 14 were keen to enlist.

Recruitment Officers in all countries must have been blind when eager children clearly underage showed up to join their armies.

With insufficient training and experience, these kids were sent to the trenches of Belgium, France, Russia and Turkey, where they fought and died alongside men and women of fighting age.


Youngsters like this boy had to work in the trenches, cleaning and digging, then fight like properly trained grown adults.


This image shows young Frenchmen on their way to the recruitment office.


Young British soldiers of the Lancaster Regiment outside a bell tent in a training camp.


This image dates circa 1917 and shows young German recruits.


Young war-wounded soldiers at the Fourth London General Hospital.


Boy soldier lay deceased in a flooded trench.


Young soldier lay dead in a ditch.


On the Russian Eastern Front battlefield.


Flanders, Belgium.


A young German soldier with rigor mortis set in. Beside him is an unused hand grenade, his rifle and his helmet.


Fallen French boys.


A Belgian boy who had tried to escape to the Netherlands lies electrocuted by a 2,000 volt electric fence erected by the Germans (who occupied Belgium) to prevent border crossing. Numerous refugees still tried to get through and many were fatally electrocuted.

[Photoplay]

War and Children. Two words that just shouldn’t go together.
So many victims

[5yn]

Our perception of "kid" or "child" is drastically skewed by nothing more than opportunities our children now have thanks in part due to the industrialization of America. Let's not forget that not even 150 or even 100 years ago kids as young as 13 could get married in this country, have their own farms, and raise their own families almost immediately. Now we look at these same people -- now gaming controller or cell phone in hand instead of pitchfork -- and try to make them into some sort of inherently innocent people who can't make decisions for themselves.

Now, again, thanks to opportunities afforded to us by living in a wealthy nation we're mostly able to keep children away from working, fighting, or getting married early. But if another mass World War happened and this country was in danger from or after an invasion, do you really think we'd deny kids 15, 16, or 17 from defending the homeland? Doubt it.

[bigjoe]

How many were buggered by older men who didn't have access to women for extended periods of time?

[Photoplay]

@ 5yn
I hear what you’re saying in your well thought out opinion.
Looking back retrospectively I feel some kind of motherly protection towards all victims and carnage of wars

However, change that perspective too
And I Quote You: But if another mass World War happened and this country was in danger from or after an invasion, do you really think we'd deny kids 15, 16, or 17 from defending the homeland? Doubt it.
Your absolutely right, no doubt about it. I don’t think [we, us, them,] would deny young teenagers defending their homeland.
If fact I’d even pass out weapons to everyone that had there hand out including grey haired, restless 80 year old, scooter riding people if they’re willing and able to contribute with protecting our shores. No problem

Would they in turn be saying 65 year or more years later? How sad the carnage of war is. Probably. Doesn’t mean they won’t line up again to fight.

[Sharon]

Good points raised so far

It is quite a subject upon reflection. I feel these images just illustrate bravery of the youth and subsequent demise from their efforts. I wonder if kids under 18 would be allowed to join up nowadays here in the Western world? I know the Middle East, Africa and Asia currently use youngsters in war/violence.

[sassieroses]

Originally Posted by Photoplay ↗

@ 5yn
I hear what you’re saying in your well thought out opinion.
Looking back retrospectively I feel some kind of motherly protection towards all victims and carnage of wars

However, change that perspective too
And I Quote You: But if another mass World War happened and this country was in danger from or after an invasion, do you really think we'd deny kids 15, 16, or 17 from defending the homeland? Doubt it.
Your absolutely right, no doubt about it. I don’t think [we, us, them,] would deny young teenagers defending their homeland.
If fact I’d even pass out weapons to everyone that had there hand out including grey haired, restless 80 year old, scooter riding people if they’re willing and able to contribute with protecting our shores. No problem

Would they in turn be saying 65 year or more years later? How sad the carnage of war is. Probably. Doesn’t mean they won’t line up again to fight.

Ditto! Now let's just hope and pray it never comes to such as that again.

[5yn]

Well said! Also, thanks for the post!

[Arkoquisa]

Awful, just awful. Nobody won that war.

[vagabond]