Rats were all over the place during WW I. The conditions were ideal for them, rotting food as there was no proper way for getting rid of rubbish. Rats, back then, were braver then they are now, because of their constant interaction with soldiers and growing use to humans. read more
Sometimes rats stole food from right under the soldiers' noses and would even run over the soldiers as they slept. They made the trenches very dirty and smelly and they spread diseases as they went. Despite all this, rats were sometimes helpful too. Many soldiers report how rats could sense an oncoming attack. read more
Trench conditions were ideal for rats. There was plenty of food, water and shelter. With no proper disposal system the rats would feast off food scraps. The rats grew bigger and bolder and would even steal food from a soldier’s hand. But for some soldiers the rats became their friends. read more
Harry Patch claimed that "there were rats as big as cats". Another soldier wrote: "The rats were huge. They were so big they would eat a wounded man if he couldn't defend himself." These rats became very bold and would attempt to take food from the pockets of sleeping men. Two or three rats would always be found on a dead body. read more