towards the end of 1917, he became a member of the independent social democratic party of germany (uspd). in october 1918, thälmann deserted together with four fellow soldiers. he did not return from home to the front. on the day of the german revolution, 9 november 1918, he wrote in his diary on the western front, "...did a bunk from the front with 4 comrades at 2 o'clock."