An historical account of the view of deserters during World War II, this story deals with ordinary men under pressure to accomplish enormous and paradoxical expectations imposed on them. It is a history of ordinary soldiers struggling on the front lines. This book offers a new perspective on the Second World War, delving deep into army archives, personal diaries, court-martial records, and self-published memoirs to produce this portrait of men overlooked by their commanders and ignored by history. Surprisingly, deserters weren't looked on as cowards by their comrades, but rather as a normal part of wartime behavior. A soldier could fight bravely, but in a year's time become exhausted and disillusioned, causing desertion. It discards the notion of a flawless military and the dignity of conflict.

Of boys to soldiers -- Of soldiers to deserters -- Military justice.