- The morning after they arrive at the base camp, Tristram and the others get word that they'll be heading to the front that evening.
- At twilight, the men march out, and eventually make their way to the trench where they'll set up and wait for the enemy's attack.
- Tristram tries to convince the others that the whole war is a fake, and that soon the trench will simply be blown up. He's realized that this must be the government's new way of "dealing with excess population" (5.7.17).
- When Tristram tries to walk away, his commanding officer fires a warning shot at him. Tristram gives up, and decides to stay.