Everyone was woken an hour before dawn. This was called ‘stand-to’. Dawn raids were very common, so this was a dangerous time and everyone had bayonets fixed to their rifles.
To prove they were still fighting fit and to relieve the boredom, troops then fired at the enemy. Neither side could see what they were doing. It was known as the morning hate, and it had little effect other than to keep men busy.
Then it was time for breakfast and in many places both sides observed an unofficial truce while the food wagons reached the lines.
