Bullets & Billets

history, arts, books, performing · EN

Step into the trenches of the Western Front during the tumultuous years of 1914-1915 through the eyes of Lieutenant (later Captain) Bruce Bairnsfather, a gifted cartoonist. His iconic characters, Alf, Bert, and Old Bill, paved the way for the likes of Bill Mauldin and his Willie and Joe in World War II. This engaging narrative chronicles Bairnsfathers journey as a machine gun officer, capturing the harrowing realities of warfare—from the relentless shelling to the mud and misery of battle. With a mix of wry, ironic humor, he recounts the absurdities and horrors faced by soldiers, including his participation in the unofficial Christmas Truce of 1914, which nearly led to court-martial. Experience the poignant and often darkly comedic insights of a soldier who has seen it all. (Summary by Dr. P. Gould)