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Attitudes towards WW1 deserters diagnosed with shellshock

During WW1, any man deserting the battlefield would be tried for cowardice and, if found guilty, they could be shot. Medical evidence was meant to be heard if there was any possibility that desertion could be due to shellshock, but in reality it was often not even called for.

In total, 346 British soldiers were court-martialed and shot for cowardice during the First World War.

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4 minutes