A Riddled Wall (Zerschossene Mauern)

1909–1914 · Formation

Kunstgewerbeschule Dresden

1914

Volunteering for the First World War

When the First World War breaks out, Dix volunteers for the German Army and is assigned to a field artillery regiment in Dresden.

autumn 1915

Machine-gunner on the Western Front

In the autumn of 1915 Dix is assigned as a non-commissioned officer of a machine-gun unit on the Western Front and takes part in the Battle of the Somme.

1918

Flanders, the spring offensive and the Iron Cross

In February 1918 Dix's unit is stationed in Flanders; back on the Western Front he then fights in the German spring offensive. He earns the Iron Cross, 2nd class, and reaches the rank of Vizefeldwebel.

August 1918

Wounded in the neck

In August 1918 Dix is wounded in the neck, and shortly afterwards takes pilot training lessons.

22 December 1918

Discharge and return home

After an anti-aircraft course in Tongern and a transfer to the Aviation Replacement Unit Schneidemühl in Posen, Dix is discharged on 22 December 1918 and is home for Christmas. The sights of the war affected him profoundly: he later described a recurring nightmare in which he crawled through destroyed houses.