André Kahn served in the French Army throughout World War I as a "brancardier"  (stretcher-bearer) and towards the end of the war as a defense lawyer at courts martial. At one point he had the unenviable task of corresponding with the relatives of fallen soldiers and returning the soldiers' belongings. The brancardiers had an extremely difficult task, evacuating seriously wounded soldiers through deep mud and under fire.

Kahn writes extensively about his longing for his partner (whom he later married), but also discussed philosophy and literature. From 1914 to the end, he records his optimism that the war will soon end, while also recording the loss of so many comrades and friends.