Images of the «enemy» by the eyes of prisoners of war from the time of the First World War (according to the memoirs of Yu. I. Kirsch and E. E. Dwinger)

Abstract

The article analyzes the memories of Y. I. Kirsch, a Russian soldier who got into German captivity, and E. E. Dwinger, a German junior officer who was captured by Russians. The author raises the question of common and distinctive features in the images of the “enemy” created in the memoirs of these memoirists. Transformation in the perception of a military enemy in the experience of captivity is being considered. The issue of reconciliation and finding an understanding with the “enemy” was studied.
 The author comes to the conclusion that at the time of capturing both Russian and German soldiers had extremely negative images of the “enemy”. These images were constructed by state propaganda, which dehumanized a military enemy. The prisoners of war expected extreme cruelties from the “enemy”, but these expectations were not approved.
 Extreme experience of captivity focused on the negative aspects of life in Germany and the Russian Empire. This was reflected in the memoirs of Y. I. Kirch and E. E. Dwinger. But both memoirists noted that the “enemy” in the crowd behaved ruthlessly, while on a personal level, he was often ready to help prisoners of war, to show mercy. Despite the negative attitude to the “enemy”, both in Russia and in Germany, there was a cohabitation of prisoners of war with local women. In Germany, ordinary Germans congratulated prisoners of war on its’ end. In Russia with the beginning of the revolution, German prisoners of war received an invitation to join the White Movement. These facts are manifestations of partial reconciliation of prisoners of war with the “enemy”.
 With regard to the difference in the design of the enemy's image, German memoirs show more cultural reflections on the national character and the mission of the Russians. Memoirs of the Russian on the contrary emphasize the way of life and order that prevailed in the camp for the prisoners of war.
 The study of the experience of transforming the enemy's image during the First World War is relevant in the context of a modern information confrontation, which inevitably complements military conflicts.