The Quality of Life of the Lower Ranks as a Factor in the Combat Readiness of the Russian Army during the First World War

The presented study examines the impact of the quality of life of the lower ranks of the Russian Imperial Army during the First World War on their combat effectiveness.The research methodology is based on elements of comparative diachronic, genetic and structural analysis.The source base of the work was formed by involving two groups of sources -previously unpublished materials from the funds of the Russian State Military Historical Archive (Moscow, Russian Federation) and personal sources.The author concludes that the quality of life significantly affected the combat effectiveness of the lower ranks of the Russian army during the First World War, but for most of this chronological period it was not of decisive importance.Noticeable problems with the equipment of trenches and shelters, shortages of footwear and other items of clothing, living conditions during the movement of large masses of troops, as well as the ability to quickly maintain contact with relatives through correspondence were significantly felt in the active army even before the start of the supply system crisis in late 1916 -early 1917.But until the autumn of 1916, there were no widespread trends in the troops towards a decline in morale, refusal to participate in combat operations, etc.It is also important to note that before the food crisis in the rear in late 1916 -early 1917, problems with the supply of food to the troops were not systemic.Quality of life could only become a critical factor in ensuring the combat readiness of the lower ranks after the beginning of 1917, when the consequences of the general economic crisis associated with the disruption of the supply of basic necessities to the population were superimposed on the general fatigue of servicemen from the protracted nature of the hostilities, associated with the lack of a clear understanding among soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the prospects for ending the conflict in the foreseeable future.