The play is set in the vicious trench warfare of World War One. The action begins on the evening of Monday 18 March 1918 and continues over three days.
It is obvious that Stanhope too thinks a daylight raid is ridiculous and dangerous, but the Colonel is adamant. He tells Stanhope, "It’s no good getting depressed.”
The audience gradually begin to question just how much the army superiors really care about those on the front line.
The officers are anxious
Again, Osborne talks acceptingly about the plans and Stanhope insists - unconvincingly - that all will be well.
We see Osborne and Raleigh quoting a passage from Alice in Wonderland in the moments before the raid. They are trying to keep calm, but admit they are nervous and have “a sort of empty feeling inside”.
Osborne is killed
A young German soldier is captured in the raid, but Osborne and six other men are killed. Raleigh is wounded.
Stanhope finds it difficult to hide his contempt for the Colonel’s apathy about their deaths.
