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In all of wars what prevented a soldier who country was invading another or vice versa just walk off and say screw this. Find a town to settle down in and just start a new life? (lemmy.world)

submitted 5 months ago by Patnou@lemmy.world to c/askhistorians@lemmy.world

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[–] rwdf@lemmy.world 22 points 5 months ago

This happens all the time and is called desertion.

[–] the_abecedarian@piefed.social 20 points 5 months ago (1 children)

It can be hard to start over in a new place when you don't speak the language or have any ties. You might be killed by locals if they think you're a spy. If your army caught you, they would have you killed.

[–] Patnou@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Lets say WW2 and we free France what prevents me from saying fuck this I am staying in France where they at least used to love Americans?

[+] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

[deleted]

[–] Patnou@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Back the train up yes I am US went to school in US and never even heard about Troops doing messed up things. I mean no sarcasm in this btw. Can you provide some links on what you are referring to?

[–] the_abecedarian@piefed.social 1 points 4 months ago

Assuming your service ended at that point and you were free to leave, it'd certainly be easier than deserting into enemy territory. France just after WW2 was pretty war-torn and full of refugees, so it wouldn't have been the easiest place to live for the first several years at least.

[–] cerement@slrpnk.net 16 points 5 months ago (1 children)

there is the urban legend of Lichtenstein sending 80 soldiers to war and 81 soldiers returned

[–] athairmor@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

One of them was pregnant?

[–] sga@lemmings.world 4 points 4 months ago

no, a friend acquired

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 8 points 5 months ago

Depends on the time period, the war, and how culturally related the locale is. Retribution by their former employers, and hostility from the locals, were generally major concerns.

[–] thatradomguy@lemmy.world 4 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Didn't the news have a story not that long ago about that one US solider who went into North Korea? I swear didn't happen that long ago. I think they kicked him out anyway, but I wonder what he's doing now.

[–] seathru@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 5 months ago

but I wonder what he's doing now.

Back in the US facing child porn charges.

[–] percent 1 points 4 months ago

That would be Travis King.