The soldiers meals were very basic, they did not get many luxuries.
The soldiers food
The rations that the soldiers were issued at the front were very basic. An average British soldiers ration pack consisted of:
· Meat (bully beef) – 454g
· Bread – 635.6g
· Bacon – 181.6g
· Tea – 15g
· Sugar – 60g
· Jam – 60g
· Cheese – 30g
· Butter – 22.5g
· Potatoes – 340.5g
· Salt – 30g
· Pepper – 0.8g
· Mustard – 1.5g
There is a moment in All Quiet on the Western Front when the company that Paul is in comes back from the battlefield to have a meal. They arrive, and soon realize that at least half of the company didn’t make it back from the battle. They all eventually understand that they are all going to get double rations. Originally, the cook is hesitant, but after a direct order from a commander, he finally gives in. Kropp, one of Paul’s friends and fellow soldiers, says, “So for once we’ll get enough to eat!” This shows the power of hunger in the soldiers, and how they could easily devour double rations. It also reflects on the commander, who gave the order for the rations to be issued out of sheer hunger, despite being of rank. Being hungry added to the misery of being on the front, and was a harsh reminder to the people at the villages that they did have it better off.