Storm of Steel

This chapter marks the intensifying activity in the trenches leading up to the Battle of the Somme. It also marks a shift in the war, as Jünger points out, saying that before the Somme there had been the hope of a quick, decisive victory through “pitched battles” (69), and after the initial battles, a stalemate of trench warfare.

Jünger has been informed that a major offensive is coming, and he is ordered to eavesdrop on the enemy trenches. Several times through the next few days, Jünger goes into the no man’s land between the trenches to spy on the enemy:

These moments of nocturnal prowling leave an indelible impression. Eyes and ears are tensed to the maximum, the rustling approach of strange feet in the tall grass is an unutterably menacing thing. Your breath comes in shallow bursts; you have to force yourself to stifle any panting or wheezing (71).

The chapter also recounts the heavy artillery and the trading of firepower. The British are constantly firing at them: “After exchanging about forty mortars, the enemy gunner seemed to be finding his range. His missiles were coming down to the right and left of us, without being able to interrupt our activity until one was seen heading straight for us” (75).