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I received the book "An Incomplete History of World War I" as a gift last Christmas, and in it the author has the following information:
"The Full Dinner Plate"
"Before food shortages began to bite and turnips took over in 1917, German soldiers were fed amply. The daily ration list at the beginning of the war alloted each German soldier twenty-six and a half ounces of bread (or biscuits); three-quarters of a pound of meat (as much as a large steak), usually sausage; three pounds of potatoes or other vegetables, usually dried; the equivalent of a pint of coffee; plus sugar and salt. The soldiers were also given two cigars, two cigarettes, or pipe tobacco. The British rations were more generous: one and a quarter pounds of fresh or salt meat, one and a quarter pounds of bread or biscuits, four ounces of bacon, three of cheese, a half pound of fresh vegetables, salt, pepper, and mustard, plus a four-ounce dollop of jam.
The British also received a "tot of rum"- at least a tablespoonful - daily. The Germans got a pint of beer, an eighth pint of whisky, or a half-pint of wine. The French were issued the equivalent of a quart of wine a day; some saved their rations for a full toot later in the week.
Under the unofficial live-and-let-live policy, firing was usually suspended during the enemy's ration distribution; as one soldier observed 'Shelling during dinner was sure to bring retaliation during your own dinner hour.'"
pg. 170
I would assume that the fliers received similar.
Luf-Rick
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