The veterans of World War II were some of the most venerated people following the end of the war but the most overlooked after the celebrations. These soldiers in many countries were overlooked when compensation for their services came about, especially in areas like Australia and the Soviet Union according to Martin Crotty and Mark Edele in “Total War and Entitlement: Towards a Global History of Veteran Privilege.”
According to Crotty the veteran group is believed to be a group of people who are entitled to post-war benefits that was created through legislation and is not a “real group,” Crotty believes that is not true. Crotty argues that these veterans put their lives on the line and deserve a better treatment than average citizens because of what they risked. These men would leave their families, homes, and jobs to defend their country for years. The way that the veterans were treated following the wars during the 20th century is where Crotty bases his argument. In Australia the veterans were able to pressure the government into giving them more compensation following World War One but did not see the same success after the Second World War. The Australian government claimed that since less veterans were volunteers they don’t deserve the same rights as first war vets. Something similar happens in the USSR but under different circumstances. Following World War One and the subsequent civil war the new communist government separated the veterans based on who they fought for during the war. Soldiers who fought for the bolsheviks were given better compensation for fighting and those who fought for the whites were punished. Then following the Second World War the soldiers were given less compensation for their sacrifice due to the progression of Cold War politics.
Soviet Veterans returning from World War Two
Veterans of the Second World War were also the first real documented victims of PTSD. Christina Jarvis wrote in ‘“If He Comes Home Nervous”: U.S. World War II Neuropsychiatric Casualties and Postwar Masculinities’ looks at how soldiers were treated when they reported “battle fatigue.” Jarvis found that some of the soldiers who were interviewed did report battle fatigue and many of those who didn’t had PTSD like symptoms. This showed the lack of support from the military and the government for soldiers suffering from PTSD. They would rather have the soldiers continue to fight rather than ensure their health and this continued after the war. The struggles that these soldiers would face in society following the war due to these mental wounds went unaddressed after the war.
The best example of soldiers being venerated and then being forgotten about is the defenders of Leningrad. Robert Dale examines how this happened due to the way that leningrad was rebuilt following the siege. In his writing, “Rats and Resentment: The Demobilization of the Red Army in Postwar Leningrad, 1945-50”, he discusses how the hardships of the blockade caused the people to give the veterans nothing that wasn’t deserved. After the soldiers were celebrated for their defense of the city they found it very hard to live in the city. The increased population from the rural areas fleeing to the city caused an increase in housing cost which the soldiers did not expect. Many complained to the government about not being able to afford housing where they previously would have and asking for help. There was also a serious problem with housing in many areas of the Soviet Union following the war. The Soviet Union was ravaged by the Germans and many areas were destroyed compiling on the problem that the veterans faced during this time.
I find it interesting that you chose a picture of Soviet soldiers returning home, I also chose this image for my own blogpost because I feel like it is a powerful image that clearly shows a false series of events. In order to portray solider’s homecoming as a festive event, the USSR created an elaborate display of decorations and supporters to make the public and the outside world believe that they received their returning veterans with open arms. However, more reliable sources show that following the first arrivals, many Soviets returned to no crowds and instead found their homes destroyed or occupied by new families. This harsh treatment is similar to the reaction of other veterans around the world who felt they were not fully appreciated following the war, which is another point you later mention in your post.
I think it’s extremely interesting how people thought veterans were entitled. I agree with Crotty’s viewpoint in that these people chose to serve their country and their people for many years. They did this knowing they would have to leave their lives, their families, and possibly their futures behind in favor of participating in the fight. When they returned home, people sometimes didn’t treat them the way they should. Keep in mind that regular civilians have the opportunity to fight too, but didn’t take it.
How often is the public placated after having a festival or a parade, bread and games? It is difficult for a both a people and a government to acknowledged the problem faced by veterans; difficult for people because they have their own problems and don’t want to be told that veterans are owed any kind of special compensation, and difficult for governments because they don’t want to admit that they are unable to treat war heroes properly.
Why do you think veterans were overlooked? Was it accidental or intentional by the government in order to get out of providing the benefits that should have been provided.
Do you think that the entitlement of veterans that you discuss is warranted? Do you think that how we view this entitlement is linked to their presence in society as a group versus individuals? For example, if there is a group of veterans that lobby for some action from the government, does this seem greedy or does is give more credence to what they are arguing?