I READ K F Durkin’s letter of August 23 with interest and I rather think it is necessary to give the full facts on executions for cowardice and desertion in the First World War.
John Terraine’s magnificent work on the RAF in the Second World War (The Right Of The Line) has a chapter on “moral fibre” which devotes a lot of space to this matter.
In the First World War about 8½ million men put on uniform and out of these 551 charges of cowardice were brought, resulting in 18 death sentences being carried out. The 7,361 charges of desertion resulted in 266 executions.
For officers, 18 charges of cowardice were brought, with two death sentences being carried out, and in the theatres of war 173 officers were cashiered and 670 dismissed from the service.
I only bring this to your notice because there does appear to be a general opinion that everybody found guilty of cowardice or desertion in the First World War was immediately executed.
M C Usherwood, Mendip Close, Huntington, York
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here