The character of warfare was transformed during the WW1. There was a new way of fighting and new weapons used, such as artillery and tanks. The manpower was over a million, and this kind of war was a whole new experience for the majority. This war was more of an horror for the soldiers, in contrast to WW2, where the civilians were involved as well.
The soldiers certainly did not expect what they were about to enter. Therefore the soldiers started to write poems, which were mainly about how they felt and what they experienced during the war. They focused on the hope for life and the fear for death, instead of love and romance.
Yes it was a terrible war and fought on battlegrounds far away from the cities and everyday lives of most.
SvarSlett