Napsacking

Napsacking is a military tactics employed during World War I and World War II by various countries, including the British and French armies. It involves inducing sleep in soldiers during times of prolonged combat, thus giving them a temporary respite from danger and fatigue.

The practice of napsacking arose as a response to the grueling conditions of trench warfare, where soldiers were exposed to prolonged periods of artillery bombardment, wet and cold conditions, and lack of proper sleep. By inducing sleep, soldiers were able to recharge their physical and mental energies, thereby maintaining their capabilities in combat.

Napsacking was typically achieved through the use of barbiturate-laced coffee, often referred to as "coffin nail" pills or " pyramid pills." The British Army believed that administering this sedative would help reduce the risk of fatigue, improve morale, and increase soldiers' tolerance for stress.

Additionally, commanders would also rely on other methods to enable soldiers to rest, such as creating short breaks in combat or scheduling firing periods with a specific consolidated time for sleep. Although napsacking may seem counterintuitive as a military tactic, its efficiency has been documented in historical accounts.

Some legendary examples of successful napsacking strategies were implemented by the British during the Battle of Passchendaele, while similar previous experiments with barbiturates for soldiers were significantly hinted in France.