What is stand to dawn in World War 1?

Answer 1

Short for 'Stand-to-Arms', the process of Stand-To was observed morning and evening by both sides of the war in the trenches, most notably on the Western Front.

Each man would be expected to stand on the trench fire step, rifle loaded, bayonet fixed. The theory ran that most enemy attacks were mounted either before dawn or shortly after dusk under cover of darkness. Consequently both sides took care to ensure adequate preparation at such times, manning the fire step an hour before dawn and dusk.