0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:03 > 0:00:07- The First World War started - a hundred years ago, in 1914.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13- The war changed the lives - of men, women and children forever.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18- Children and young people - from all over Europe...
0:00:19 > 0:00:23- ..described their experiences - in diaries and letters.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28- These are the stories of - the Great War through their eyes.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32- Frieda Hartmann - was a 12-year-old girl...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- ..from Todtnau in Freiburg, - Germany.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- The time has finally come.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- For months, my sister Luise - trained to join the Red Cross.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48- Now she can really get to work, - and I'm going to help her.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- Frieda, hurry!
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- It was much worse than I expected.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13- THE PAIN
0:01:13 > 0:01:19- Never had I seen so many wounded. - All those tired and sad faces.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24- So much pain. - The soldiers needed urgent help.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- Did you ask her?
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- Look, I'm busy!
0:01:30 > 0:01:34- But will you ask her? You promised.
0:01:34 > 0:01:35- Yes.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- What are you wearing?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48- The front line was horrific...
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- ..not just because - of enemy bullets and bombs.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- The soldiers weren't having - enough sleep or food.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- They rarely had the chance to wash.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04- They had to be ready to fight, - whatever the weather.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08- Sometimes, they stood - in icy water all day and night.
0:02:08 > 0:02:13- Furthermore, they were always in - danger of being wounded or killed.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- We're having to treat - vile diseases...
0:02:17 > 0:02:19- ..and you're playing carnival?!
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- What's the point of that?
0:02:26 > 0:02:29- It's exactly like my sister's. - I made it myself.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- My little sister only wants to...
0:02:33 > 0:02:34- Has the medical transport arrived?
0:02:34 > 0:02:35- Has the medical transport arrived?- - Yes.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- Then you know what to do.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- We've no time for child's play.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- But I can help!
0:02:46 > 0:02:48- I want to be a nurse too!
0:02:49 > 0:02:53- My dear, do you really think - you can join the Red Cross?
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- I studied and trained - in Sweden for five years!
0:02:58 > 0:03:03- My sister told me what to do. - You need all the help you can get.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- But your hands are too small.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- Believe me, - this is no place for children.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- Go home!
0:03:26 > 0:03:31- There were so many casualties - during the First World War...
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- ..the Red Cross - had to build hospitals...
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- ..and recruit doctors and nurses.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42- People volunteered from countries - that were not at war...
0:03:42 > 0:03:47- ..from Switzerland, - the Netherlands and Sweden.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- Nurse Elsa Brandstrom was - the Swedish ambassador's daughter.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- She looked - after German POWs in Russia.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57- She was their "Angel of Siberia".
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- The volunteers had to do - heavy work in the war zones.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- They risked their own lives - to save others.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- The doctor is here! - Get out of the way!
0:04:10 > 0:04:16- The rooms are crowded, - but there is space on the floor.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19- What have we here?
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- Corporal Kurt Berger - was wounded at Loos.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- He is conscious, - but he can't see anything.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30- I could clean his eyes.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- Leave him. There's no hope for him.
0:04:38 > 0:04:39- Leave him. There's no hope for him.- - Why?
0:04:40 > 0:04:41- What's wrong?
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- What's wrong?- - Frieda!
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- She shouldn't be here, doctor.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- Nurse Ida, don't you say in Sweden - that everyone should start young?
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- In Germany, we say - where there's breath, there's life.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- Get out! I don't want you here!
0:04:58 > 0:04:59- I was only asking!
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- I was only asking!- - I'm sorry. My sister is difficult.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03- Stay!
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- Do you want to know the truth?
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- He inhaled poison gas - and can't breathe properly.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- He is going to die. Can you see?
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- Take him out.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46- Poison gas damaged the eyes, skin - and destroyed the soldiers' lungs.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- The gas was heavier than air - and seeped into the trenches...
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- ..where soldiers were hiding.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- Poison gas was one of - the war's deadliest weapons.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- It was used - by the armies of every country.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08- You couldn't hear it coming - and nothing could stop it.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- Many different gasses - were used in the war.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- At first, the soldiers - couldn't protect themselves.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- As the war progressed...
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- ..effective gas masks were invented.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28- Soldiers had 20 seconds to wear the - mask in the event of a gas attack.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35- They carried the masks everywhere - with them, even when they slept.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43- If a soldier didn't put on his mask - in time, he didn't stand a chance.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49- Frieda!
0:06:52 > 0:06:53- Frieda.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- You should go home. - There's nothing more you can do.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02- What's going on?
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- The soldiers...
0:07:12 > 0:07:17- ..will be buried in the graveyard - to prevent disease spreading.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- But he's still alive!
0:07:20 > 0:07:22- Not for much longer.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- Not for much longer.- - You can't leave him out here!
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- You've seen what's going on inside.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32- I have to go back.
0:07:32 > 0:07:33- I have to go back.- - Luise, please!
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- You always say - you want to help people.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- Isn't that why you became a nurse?
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- You heard what Dr Wurtzinger said. - "He will die".
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- What if it was our father - lying here?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- I can't.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07- I can't.- - But I can! I have the time.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- Help me, please.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- What do you want to do? - Take him home?
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- No, but I could...
0:08:19 > 0:08:23- Perhaps there's - a storeroom or a cupboard?
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- At least he'd be dry and warm.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- The senior nurse will kill us.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- The senior nurse will kill us.- - Then we'd better hurry.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- Are you still trying - to save everyone, girls?
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- May I?
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- Nobody survived a gas attack.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- Everything and everyone died, - even insects.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- The soldiers - who didn't die straightaway...
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- ..suffered for hours.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- If the gas reached their lungs...
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- ..they'd fill with water - and the soldiers slowly suffocated.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- It was even worse for some. - They couldn't see anything.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- The gas blinded them.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36- It was hopeless. My first patient, - and there was nothing I could do.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- I couldn't even ease his pain.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- I couldn't even ease his pain.- - Air! Air!
0:09:43 > 0:09:48- I'll get air for you. Don't worry, - you are not on your own.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- WHISPERS IN GERMAN
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- What's going on here?
0:10:11 > 0:10:16- I asked Corporal Fischer - to help me clean the mattress.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- No, it was my idea.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19- No, it was my idea.- - It won't happen again.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24- I hope you mean that, or you - can pack your bags. Is that clear?
0:10:24 > 0:10:25- Yes!
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- A nurse should avoid being - on her own with a male patient.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- Make sure - you don't befriend a patient.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- Nurses must not fall in love, - smoke or drink alcohol.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- These rules exist for a good reason.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- Alright, senior nurse.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- We were never trained for that.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- Don't worry, I know what I'm doing.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- No, you don't!
0:11:04 > 0:11:06- You've no idea what you're doing!
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- The doctors felt helpless.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16- They were treating injuries - they'd never seen before...
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- ..for example shell shock.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25- The soldiers were exhausted - and had witnessed such horrors...
0:11:25 > 0:11:30- ..every grenade or death of a friend - could make their nerves snap.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- Their whole bodies trembled.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- Many officers viewed - this as a sign of weakness.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- I have to go.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- SOLDIER BREATHES HEAVILY
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- Here's the oxygen. - It'll do you good.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- You need air, don't you?
0:12:33 > 0:12:35- Is that better?
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- Hello? Can you hear me?
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- Suddenly, I worried - he wouldn't pull through...
0:12:53 > 0:12:55- ..that he would die.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- What should I do?
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- Should I ask - Doctor Wurtzinger to help?
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- What are you doing here?
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- He died.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- Are you sure?
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- You were right. I'm no use here.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- He would have died, anyway.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42- Who put him in the storeroom?
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- Who brought - the oxygen cylinder here?
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- Well? Anyone? Who looked after him?!
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- Whoever it was has saved his life.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07- As you say in Germany, "where - there's breath, there's life."
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- Perhaps the oxygen - helped him relax.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- During the war, doctors - learned a lot about injuries.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- They experimented - with new techniques.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26- As well as challenging doctors, - the war changed women's lives.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- Before the war, women didn't - have the same rights as men.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- Only men - were allowed to work and vote.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40- Women stayed at home - to look after the children.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43- It was said - women were too weak to work.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50- The war changed everything. Millions - of men had gone to the front.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Their jobs were taken over by women.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58- They worked in the fire service, - drove buses and trams...
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- ..and in the munitions factories.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07- Women proved they - were good enough to do the work.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- Their role in society changed.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16- The way they thought - about themselves changed also.
0:15:16 > 0:15:22- I saved him. Me, Frieda Hartmann, - has saved a life.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29- From that moment on, - I knew it was my duty to save lives.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- Kurt was my first patient.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38- I wanted to look after him until - he was better and could go home.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45- Hello.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- Here's something to eat.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- Is that you?
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- Did you carry me inside?
0:15:59 > 0:16:03- I asked the others - but no-one had seen you.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- No-one knows who you are.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- Are you an angel?
0:16:12 > 0:16:17- Some soldiers would do - anything to escape from the war.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22- They pretended to be injured, - risking a severe punishment.
0:16:23 > 0:16:28- But such was their fear of war - many soldiers harmed themselves.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- They shot themselves - in their hands or feet...
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- ..to avoid anything worse.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41- Soldiers worldwide returned - from war without arms or legs...
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- ..with broken noses or cheekbones...
0:16:46 > 0:16:51- ..their faces hidden behind masks.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56- The thought of living like that - terrified some of the soldiers.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03- My hands were trembling - because Kurt touched them.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11- Come here, love.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13- We don't have much time.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20- I'm ready.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- If you love me, do it. - Please save me.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28- You have to hurry.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37- What's wrong?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- He isn't wounded!
0:17:41 > 0:17:43- He isn't wounded!- - Frieda, keep your voice down.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- He's deceiving everyone!
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- He can't go back to the front. - It's hell out there.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- We have no idea what it's like.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- Every day could be his last.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02- What about the other soldiers?
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- They're still fighting! - What about them?!
0:18:08 > 0:18:13- They are dying, - or they return home maimed!
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- I couldn't understand.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21- Why would Luisa harm him?
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- What's going on here?
0:18:44 > 0:18:45- Luisa.
0:18:46 > 0:18:47- What happened?
0:18:47 > 0:18:52- Doctor Wurtzinger - said Ulrich was healthy.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- He has to return to the front.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- He has to return to the front.- - And Kurt, too.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59- What? Kurt?
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- Maybe now you understand...
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- ..why I said - not to get close to a patient?
0:19:11 > 0:19:15- No! No! He can't send Kurt back!
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- Why did you say that Kurt - was healthy? You had no right!
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- He was my patient - because I saved him!
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- Oh. It was you.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- Yes! He needs to rest - so that his lungs can heal.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- What gave you the idea - that we heal people, my child?
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- This is war. Germany needs soldiers.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00- As soon as they can hold a gun, - they have to go back to the front.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04- Does it have to be like that?
0:20:04 > 0:20:06- Does it have to be like that?- - Madness, isn't it?
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- Why are we helping them?
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- That's exactly what I think.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- It was vital to find men...
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- ..to replace those killed in battle.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- No-one asked - if the men were healthy or not...
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- ..or if they were too young - or too old to fight.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- All that mattered - was that the war continued.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39- Kurt Berger.
0:20:45 > 0:20:46- Kurt.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- Kurt Berger.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- Is it you?
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- I wanted to see you before you...
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- TRAIN WHISTLE
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- Thanks for everything.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- I'm sure you'll be fine.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- Goodbye, little angel.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37- TRAIN WHISTLE
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- Is that why - I nursed him back to health?
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- To send him back to the front...
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- ..to kill or be killed?
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- SHE SOBS
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:22:47 > 0:22:47- .