Even if the soldiers are supposedly resting, they are still technically "working". With shortage always at the front and officers trying to fill in the labours. Except that the body of paperwork never gets smaller, constantly growing with new tactical and technical instructions coming in. Besides from that, they also got general military bureaucracy to deal with.
As a soldier of World War I, fighting might not be the only thing that they have to deal with as we thought. The fact is, most of their day is spent doing the norm such as chores, support and clean up. Most of the extreme working comes from trying to keep the front line supplied. To balance the time of battle and rest, the front troops are usually rotated so they are able to have periods of relaxation. Occasionally, they are granted home-leave. Regularity of this rotation strongly influences the soldiers so they are motivated.
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Quick Fact: Food
"Unfortunately, soldiers did not have the luxury of hot meals for much of the war. They had little variety in food, which mostly came in tins or cans. If one was lucky, a soldier would be afforded rum, or receive a food packet from the Red Cross. At most times, however, soldiers had to rely on what they had, typically stale crackers and unappetizing salted meat"(Front Line: Routine). Cook book for the trenches |