Myths and Legends of the First World War

James Hayward examines the myths and legends that circulated during the First World War, arranging them in roughly chronological order and tracing how they developed. The book considers the Angel of Mons, reports of Russian soldiers in England and the story of the Comrade in White, alongside wartime spy mania and rumours surrounding atrocities in Belgium.

Later chapters address trench legends, the alleged crucifixion of a Canadian soldier, the supposed disappearance of a Norfolk Regiment battalion at Gallipoli, and enduring ideas about military leadership. Drawing on contemporary documentary sources, Hayward retells each account and considers its likely origins, setting wartime belief against censorship, propaganda, new technology and the public’s urgent need for news.