Children imitating soldiers

Description

This photograph shows children imitating soldiers, carrying swords and shields and lining up as if for a military drill. The lives of children were greatly influenced by the conflict. Teddy bears were replaced by toy guns to imitate the occupation of absent fathers and playtime was lost to work in factories. Children sometimes encountered their enemies face to face and were themselves victims of violence. They were also victims of the catastrophic changes the war inflicted on their families.