What did the soldiers in the world war 1 trenches eat?

They ate standard military rations, modified by the need to store and transport them in very difficult active service conditions. Rations varied from one nation to another; in the British Army they drank tea, usually with condensed milk and sugar. Hot cocoa (with or without milk) was a standard drink, especially in cold weather. A rum ration was issued daily, with an extra dose of Dutch courage before an assault. They had bread, meat and potatoes, though the meat was often in tins. In the front line, tinned food and often hard tack (basically ship's biscuit) instead of bread were normal; in the rear fresh food was available.There was tinned stew ('Maconochie', after the maker) and large tins of composite plum and apple jam ('pozzy'). Breakfast was typically porridge, sometimes with bacon and fried bread. Eggs were not common in the front line. When stationed in reaching distance of a farm or shop, the men spent their own money to add to the issue. The favourites were fresh milk, ...  more