Ernst Jünger in Conversation with Julien Hervier - "War"

Part 3 of a 12-13 part interview with Julien Hervier. Part 1 can be found here, paywall removed for the day. Remaining sections will be up in the coming week or so.

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JH: The First World War was one of the most important experiences for you as a writer. What do you feel when you think back to the young lieutenant filled with glory, wounded, that you were at that moment?

My reaction is very complex; in any case, I would never say that I was completely in the wrong. On the contrary, one must respect one's own history; I feel real sympathy for this young man, although I feel very distant from him. During the First World War, I responded much more passionately, as was the case with everyone, in France and also in England; all young people fell prey to powerful emotions.