Life — November 9, 1928 — page 13: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page satirizes the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.) during World War I. The memorial to "Old Bill" — a bearded soldier character — references a famous WWI comic figure. The sketches depict soldiers' experiences: trenches with explosions, ammunition stockpiles, and the mundane reality of military life. The caption "On the whole, the day passed quietly (PRESS)" sarcastically contrasts official military press reports with actual combat conditions shown. The final panel shows a sergeant attempting to boost morale on "Salisbury plain" with fog, using forced enthusiasm ("Let's see yer put some life into it!"). The satire mocks both the disconnect between official narratives and soldiers' grim reality, and the absurdity of military cheerleading amid warfare.