According to German officer Ernst Jünger, it was not danger, however extreme, that depresses the spirit of men so much as over-fatigue and wretched conditions. And for most soldiers, especially the British and French, the pay for their efforts was pitiful, so why did they even keep fighting? Duty, nationalism, loyalty to comrades, and fear of being shot for desertion all played a role, but so did alcohol. As one British medical officer said, had it not been for the rum ration, I do not think we should have won the war. Ernst Jünger also remarked on the propensity of soldiers to drink their troubles away. Though ten out of twelve had fallen still, the last two, as sure as death, were to be found on the first evening of rest over the bottle, drinking a silent health to their dead companions. Oh, it's time for the open letter?