Whilst still an Austrian citizen Hitler was accepted into the Bavarian army. He served in the infantry at the First Battle of Ypres, where the new infantry divisions suffered casualties as high as one third to a half.
After this battle he was made regimental message runner; it has been suggested that this was a relatively safe role, largely taking place away from the front. Despite this Hitler took a wound on his leg at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and was temporarily blinded by mustard gas in 1918. Whilst recovering from the latter injury Hitler heard the news of the German surrender and armistice.
Hitler received two medals for bravery during the Great war: the Iron Cross Second Class in 1914 and the Iron Cross First Class in 1918. It is alleged that this second award resulted from his prolonged time amongst higher ranks at the headquarters as a runner.
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