Offiziere

Offiziere, a play (Drama) by F. von Unruh, published in 1911. It deals in ejaculatory Expressionist language with the opposition between the exalted military idealism of youth (Ernst von Schichting and many of his comrades) and the cold formalism of duty, represented by Colonel von Kracht. The first two acts are set in the officers' mess in Germany. Act I passes in trivial futility, Act II offers the chance to volunteer for active service in South West Africa. Act III is set on board the troop ship, and Act IV brings hunger, thirst, and battle; it ends with Ernst's death and the valedictory volleys fired over his grave.