It is highly unlikely that any soldier survived the entirety of World War I without any injuries or illnesses. The sheer scale of the war, with its brutal trench warfare and widespread use of deadly new technologies, made it incredibly dangerous for soldiers.
Here are some key factors that contributed to the high casualty rates:
- Trench Warfare: The static nature of trench warfare exposed soldiers to constant shelling, sniper fire, and disease.
- New Technologies: The use of machine guns, poison gas, and artillery significantly increased the lethality of combat.
- Disease: Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in the trenches led to the spread of diseases like influenza, typhoid, and dysentery.
While it's improbable that any soldier survived the entire war completely unscathed, there were certainly individuals who fought throughout the conflict and sustained injuries or illnesses that did not result in death. However, the odds of surviving the war without any lasting effects were slim.
