Brothers in arms

Abstract

Brothers in armsAccording to fraternal accounts of combat, serving alongside a brother fortified the heroic qualities of self-control and endurance. Brothers formed a separate blood unit within the military unit. Some siblings believed this made them almost invincible. For the Francis brothers, Ted explained, it supported their physical and psychological survival:The main idea with Harry and I was keeping alive. We had no thought for practically any other people, there was only our skill and our knowledge and being aware of the danger and not feeling frightened. In every attack there was men more frightened than others, who couldn't hold themselves, men who really had shell shock … Everyone was afraid and as a matter of fact to see people who couldn't stand it made us a little bit more braver. We felt good they couldn't stand this sort of thing but we could. That was the feeling that made us go on and on and on. 1