Act II, Scene 1
Early on Tuesday morning Osborne and Raleigh discuss their past lives before the war. They talk about rugby and how slowly time passes in the trenches. Poignantly, they reflect on how the Germans are just normal decent people.
News of an attack
Stanhope tells his officers that a captured German soldier has revealed that an attack on their men is planned for two days’ time.
Raleigh writes home
In World War One it was normal practice to check and sometimes censor soldiers’ letters home, but officers’ letters were usually allowed through unchecked. However, Stanhope - because he is so worried about Raleigh revealing his alcoholism to his sister - insists on checking his letter home.
On reading it he finds that Raleigh has only the highest praise for Stanhope, describing him to Madge as “the finest officer in the battalionA military unit made up of a large number of soldiers divided into companies. and the men simply love him". Stanhope seems to feel ashamed at his initial mistrust.
