Ryszard Kaczmarek is a historian, professor at the Institute of History of the University of Silesia, and director of the Regional Research Institute of the Silesian Library in Katowice, Poland. His research interests lie in Polish history in the twentieth century, German history in the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries, and history of Silesia. He is also the author of several books and over 100 scientific articles published in Poland, Germany, France, and Czech Republic.

• Table of Contents I. Poles in Prussian Regiments Before the First World War The Prussian Army After the Unification of Germany Poles in Prussian Regiments Before the First World War The Recruit’s Training II. First Fights in Autumn 1914 The Mobilization Border Struggles To the West Baptism of Fire Rossignol Cutry Baslieux Always Marching III. In the Trenches of the Western Front A Soldier in the Trench Assault and Defense New Armaments Losses Beyond the Front German Officers and Polish Soldiers IV. Major Battles in the West Verdun The Battle of the Somme Lorette V. On the Eastern Front Galicia and the Carpathians Transylvania In Northern Russia The Eastern Front in the Eyes of a Pole in a German Uniform VI. On the Italian Front VII. 1918: Failed Spring Offensive and Retreat Last German Offensive The Retreat Postwar Epilogue Annex Afterword to the English Edition Index