My Second Year of the War

"My Second Year of the War" by Frederick Palmer is a firsthand narrative from the early 1900s, documenting the writer's journey through the second year of World War I, specifically focusing on military command structures and the common soldier's understanding of the war's progress. Palmer aims to bring attention to the difficulties faced by Allied troops and the personal impact of war. The story begins with the author's thoughts on the American view of the war as he arrives back in London; he recognizes a gap between the harsh reality of wartime Europe, where many soldiers were necessary to defend the war lines, and the American mindset, which was mostly business-as-usual despite the global conflict. Going back to the front, he sees big changes in military command and how things were organized, highlighting how the British Army changed to include new soldiers, understand the mental effects of war, and think strategically about military actions. Palmer introduces important people like Sir William Robertson and Sir Douglas Haig, while also sharing impactful stories that show the strong emotional and physical effects of the war and makes way for a wider look into the battles and plans that shaped this important part of history.