How did soldiers keep their spirits up in ww1?

Men often resorted to black or gallows humour, as well as a bitter fatalism and superstition, as a means of dealing with everyday reality; doses of rum may also have played their part in steadying nerves.

What factors determine the fighting effectiveness of troops?

The effectiveness of a military unit in performing its mission depends on its capabilities (including equipment and personnel) and its ability to use those capabilities. Soldiers must be instructed in the use of their weapons as well as in the battlefield tactics needed to fight as a coordinated team.

How did soldiers entertain themselves in ww1?

In their spare time, soldiers wrote letters and diaries, drew sketches, read books and magazines, pursued hobbies, played cards or gambled. There were also opportunities for more-organised social activities. Other soldiers entertained their mates with impromptu musical, pantomime and comedy performances.

What makes an effective army?

Values are the principles, standards, or qualities considered essential for successful leaders • Values are fundamental to help people discern right from wrong in any situation • The Army has set seven values that must be developed in all Army individuals: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and …

What is military efficiency?

Military effectiveness is defined as the ability to produce favorable military outcomes per se, incluuding the outcomes of minor skirmishes at the tactical level of war and the outcomes of wars or even long-term politico-military competitions at the strategic or grand strategic levels of war.

Who entertained the troops in ww1?

Throughout the war, concert parties were the main way to entertain the troops and keep up their morale when they were together out of the line. Walter Cook of the Royal Army Medical Corps outlined how he helped to start one up. Captain Tindall had an idea.

Why do soldiers say they can’t write about combat?

Many soldiers, after experiencing battle, believed that civilians back home could have no way of understanding the events and emotions of combat and focused their writing to more relatable occurrences. “I cannot write it therefore will not try,” Morey admitted to his mother after another fight.

How do armies deal with the problem of infantry in combat?

With the advent of the combustion engine armies turned to trucks and other combat vehicles. The problem is these solutions tie the infantryman to roadways, restricting movement. Getting the infantry away from roads is vital to their ability to effectively maneuver against the enemy requiring innovative solutions.

Why do modern soldiers carry so much gear?

On today’s battlefield the two main culprits are batteries and body armor. Almost everything a soldier carries today requires batteries, which can add almost 20 pounds to their load—a problem soldiers have only contended with in the past generation.

Why did Confederate soldiers sometimes fight in the Civil War?

Confederate soldiers sometimes fought because they feared Union victory would result in a society where black people were placed on an even footing with whites. The large majority of Civil War soldiers were native born.