Following a two-day journey, I reached my destination on a Monday evening and was fortunate enough to have my uncle recommend me at Dennis's firm. Despite this, nobody suspects the reality and perceives it as an unanticipated occurrence that I am here. The trenches are dissimilar to what I anticipated with occasional rifle shots similar to Bisley range. In contrast, up North at Wipsers way, there is a continual rumble due to non-stop firing activity. It does not match my school-days perception.
It's incredible to think that the Germans are only 60 yards away, which is approximately the same width as a rugby field! I reached our position by traveling through an unusual trench that started in a destroyed village, went down into a cellar of a house, passed by a large rundown factory, and ended up in an
...enormous plain. Even though they were far away, I could see numerous Very lights going off—interestingly, hundreds of them while I observed. Our cook, Private Mason, was concerned about giving us apricots instead of pineapple chunks. Although it's not exactly like the food we had at school, it's enough.
Despite the boredom, Trotter surprisingly finds enjoyment in their duty. Each officer must patrol for two hours at a time, followed by a group patrol at dawn and dusk known as stand-to. While on duty, it is necessary to stay alert in case of a surprise attack, but mostly it involves shooting rats to pass the time. This war is much less thrilling than anticipated; rather than nonstop gun battles and defending the line, it is monotonous. Dennis may have joined with the same patriotic intentions as I. A
previously mentioned, conditions in the trenches are unfavorable - rats thrive in this environment.
The smell in the dugouts is equivalent to that of a cesspit. The trenches are thick with mud, ankle deep in some places, and littered with rusty bombs and rifle grenades. No-Man's land is rumored to be even worse. Soldiers are instructed not to remove their clothes or wash during the six-day stint in the line, making trench life quite unpleasant. Despite this, many soldiers came to do their part for their country. According to Osborne, there are long periods of boredom and short periods of extreme fear during trench life, but so far, the author has only experienced boredom. Although German soldiers are reportedly decent people, one man was left to die in No-Man's land after being shot down during a night raid near the German front line.
The following evening, a group of soldiers approached the speaker and began to drag him back to safety despite the risk of being shot by German soldiers. However, a German officer intervened and instructed them to carry him, using flares to guide them, which resulted in their safe return. The next day, both sides destroyed each other's trenches. This event highlights the absurdity of war. The speaker is thrilled that Dennis has selected him to participate in a raid on the German front-line the next day, but a sense of nervousness sets in as he contemplates the possibility of not returning. The Colonel promises to award him with an MC if he performs well.
