On the Line with Stefanie Linden - Beyond the Great Silence

Shell shock was the great leveller of post-war experience. Beyond the Great Silence:The Legacy of Shell Shock in Britain and Germany 1918-1924 traces the stories of shell-shocked soldiers and civilians. Medical authorities were reluctant to accept the link between illness and war and thus deprived shell shock victims not only of war pensions but also of a much-needed explanation for their suffering.

The rise of shell shock exemplifies the traumatic experience of the Great War. It has transcended its original meaning as a medical concept in historical and cultural discourse. Throughout the war military medicine of all combatant nations faced similar challenges and had to ensure the fighting strength of their forces in the face of increasing numbers of traumatised soldiers. Following the Armistice, the former Allied and Central Powers were in very different situations. Whereas London returned to a period of relative stability, Berlin was transformed into the chaotic centre of a failed state. For the traumatised soldiers treated at the Berlin Charité or the London National Hospital, this did not make much of a difference – hospitals continued to operate in both capitols with surprising efficiency, and the trauma of war only knows victims, no victors. Beyond the suffering caused by shell shock, many veterans suffered further humiliation war pension denials because they had been relabelled with a neurological diagnosis that was unrelated to war service or were branded as ‘psychopaths’ with inherited mental weakness. The medical system was thus quick to cut the link between the illness of veterans and war experience. Therefore, many ex-servicemen were cut-off not only from pensions but also from an explanation for their suffering.

Beyond the Great Silence combines the personal experience of the traumatised military and civilian patients with contemporary medical literature and press reports to provide the cultural background for the varying presentations of shell shock and responses of medical professionals and wider society. Shell shock was a deeply political concept, and its history can only be understood against the backdrop of the revolutionary changes to European society in the immediate aftermath of war.

'In the second volume of her enthralling and brilliantly illustrated study of shell shock, Dr Linden takes the story from the end of the First World War to the start of the Second. Her particular strength is to be able to compare and contrast views on the nature, treatment, and outcome of shell shock between Britain and Germany, the winners and losers of the war itself. At the same time, her in-depth case histories never lose sight of long-term psychological damage that war veterans experienced on both sides. She concludes that although the medical and military authorities either turned against shell shock (Britain) or never embraced it (Germany), shell shock would be preserved to this day in our cultural history.' Professor Sir Simon Wesseley FRS, Regius Chair of Psychiatry, King’s College London

'Another splendid work of scholarship, beautifully written and brilliantly researched. There are few, if any, who know more about this topic than Dr Linden, and this book will define the field for years to come.' Simon Shorvon, Professor of Neurology, University College London

'Beyond the Great Silence offers a comprehensive and insightful examination of the aftermath of World War I, with a specific focus on the emotional and mental impacts on soldiers and civilians in both Britain and Germany. I wholeheartedly recommend it. This work is essential reading for anyone interested in comprehending the profound and enduring effects of World War I. It makes a valuable addition to the historiography of the war, offering a well-rounded and empathetic portrayal of its psychological legacy.' Dr Tom Thorpe, PR & Press Trustee and presenter/producer, Mentioned in Dispatches Podcast, The Western Front Association

"In Beyond the Great Silence the author continues her meticulous research into the emotional and mental impact of service from the end of the First World War to the start of the Second. As such she presents clear and compelling evidence that in many cases the post-war impact of what was loosely termed shell shock actually got worse and in many cases led to decades of trauma for sufferers and those closest to them....Beyond the Great Silence which should be considered as mandatory reading for all concerned with what has in recent times become known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A professional psychiatrist, researcher and historian, Stefanie Linden has lifted the lid on what for decades was considered an unmentionable, slightly dishonourable, subject and her detailed analysis and compelling conclusions should be firmly taken on board by those responsible today for the conduct and aftermath of military operations and the impact they have on service personnel and their families. Her complementary volumes are most highly recommended." Military Historical Society, May 2024 Bulletin

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