Ernst Jünger, German soldier, philosopher, and author (b. 1895)

Ernst Jünger (German pronunciation: [ɛʁnst ˈʏŋɐ]; 29 March 1895 – 17 February 1998) was a truly multifaceted German figure: an acclaimed author, a highly decorated soldier, a profound philosopher, and even a meticulous entomologist. He first captured widespread public attention with his gripping World War I memoir, Storm of Steel.

A Rebellious Youth and World War I Heroism

Born into the comfortable world of a successful businessman and chemist, Jünger, however, yearned for adventure beyond his affluent upbringing. He found an early outlet for this rebellion in the Wandervogel, a German youth movement that championed nature, freedom, and a return to simpler living. His adventurous spirit led him even further afield when he briefly and illegally served in the French Foreign Legion. Fortuitously, his father’s influence spared him from prosecution in Germany, allowing him to enlist in the German Army when World War I erupted in 1914. Jünger's wartime experience was marked by intense combat and numerous injuries. During a particularly ill-fated offensive in 1918, he suffered the most serious of his many woundings. His exceptional bravery was formally recognized with the Pour le Mérite, often dubbed the "Blue Max," a remarkably rare and prestigious military decoration for an officer of his rank, cementing his status as a war hero.

Evolving Ideologies and World War II

In the tumultuous interwar period, Jünger articulated strong opposition to liberal values, democratic principles, and the nascent Weimar Republic. Despite his conservative leanings, he resolutely rejected the overtures and advances of the burgeoning Nazi party. During World War II, Ernst Jünger served as an army captain stationed in occupied Paris. By 1943, however, his perspective had undergone a profound shift. He turned decisively against Nazi totalitarianism and its aggressive ambitions for world conquest, a transformation vividly expressed in his allegorical work, "Der Friede" (The Peace). Indirectly implicated with a group of fellow officers who had conspired to assassinate Hitler, Jünger was subsequently dismissed from the army in 1944. Mere months later, personal tragedy struck when his son lost his life in combat in Italy, having been previously sentenced to a penal battalion for political reasons.

Post-War Reassessment and Enduring Legacy

Following the war's conclusion, Jünger faced considerable suspicion, with some questioning his potential sympathies with the Nazis. Yet, as the Cold War era progressed, his unique and often unorthodox writings, particularly those exploring the corrosive impact of materialism on modern society, began to be re-evaluated. These philosophical works were increasingly perceived as fundamentally conservative rather than radically nationalist, eventually earning significant respect within mainstream German intellectual circles. Jünger ultimately lived to be an honored literary figure, though critical voices persisted in charging him with the alleged glorification of war as a transcendental experience, particularly in some of his earlier publications. He remains one of the most complex and contradictory figures in 20th-century German literature, an ardent militarist whose views and intellectual journey reflected the profound upheavals of his century.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ernst Jünger

Who was Ernst Jünger?

Ernst Jünger was a highly influential German author, soldier, philosopher, and entomologist (1895-1998), best known for his World War I memoir, Storm of Steel.

What is "Storm of Steel"?

Storm of Steel is Ernst Jünger's acclaimed autobiographical account of his experiences as a German officer on the Western Front during World War I, noted for its stark and unflinching depiction of combat.

What was Jünger's stance on the Nazis during World War II?

Although he was critical of the Weimar Republic, Jünger rejected the Nazi Party. He served as an army captain in occupied Paris during WWII, but by 1943, he had decisively turned against Nazi totalitarianism, a shift reflected in his work "Der Friede" (The Peace).

Was Ernst Jünger ever considered a Nazi sympathizer?

After World War II, Jünger initially faced suspicion regarding potential sympathies with the Nazis due to his early nationalist writings. However, his later works and his rejection of Nazism during the war led to his eventual re-evaluation and acceptance in mainstream intellectual circles.