In Niall Ferguson's book "The War of the World," a British soldier recounts a harrowing experience of surrendering Germans, who, in a desperate plea for mercy, crawled on their knees while holding pictures of loved ones aloft. Despite their vulnerable position, the reality was grim, as these individuals faced ruthless violence. The soldier's memory reflects the lost excitement of battle, overshadowed by a grim sense of duty to eliminate as many enemies as possible without regard for humanity.

This poignant recollection illustrates the brutality of war, where compassion is often stripped away in favor of cold calculation. The soldier's commentary sheds light on the psychological toll of conflict, hinting at a moral desensitization among troops tasked with carrying out orders. The imagery evokes a tragic contrast between the soldiers' humanity and the grim orders that dictated their actions during wartime.