Trenches were long, narrow ditches dug into the ground where soldiers lived. They were very muddy, uncomfortable and these conditions caused soldiers to develop medical problems and diseases.
Design
They were designed to protect World War I troops from machine-gun fire and artillery attack from the air. As the “Great War” also saw the wide use of chemical warfare and poison gas, the trenches were thought to offer some degree of protection against exposure.
PARAPET - wall facing enemy: strengthened with sandbags to protect from enemy fire and wooden planks to strengthen the side of the trench from collapsing. SANDBAGS - used to provide troops with protection at both the front and rear of trenches (the parapet and parados) and were generally stacked some two or three feet deep. FIRESTEP - formed a firing position and a way for the soldier to step out onto ‘no man’s land’ AMMUNITION SHELF - was also dug into the side PARADOS - wall facing the back of the trench DUGOUTS - wooden dugouts on back wall where the soldier could eat and seek protection from artillery bombardments UNDERGROUND BUNKERS - more sophisticated protection which could also be used to store ammunition, food and weapons, as well as command centers for officers to communicate orders with headquarters. DUCKBOARDS - positioned on the floor to provide secure ground and aid in drainage to keep the soldiers feet away from the water, which caused diseases such as trench foot in the muddy drain of the western front. |
Overview Design
Trenches were built in zig zags instead of straight lines so that if the enemy managed to enter it, it would not be able to shoot down them.
Typical trench system were three lines approximately 730m apart.
Typical trench system were three lines approximately 730m apart.
FIRE TRENCH - First line, closets to the enemy: most unpleasant and dangerous place to be, at about 2.4 metres deep and 1.8 metres wide, it was the main line of resistance, with machine gun nests placed at strategic points and barbed wire places in the front area known as ‘no man’s land’
SAPPER - would also dig out a sap head which went slightly ahead nto the ‘no man’s land’ to form a listening post SUPPORT TRENCH - second line: backup in case the first line was taken away by the enemy. A kitchen and a dressing station kept the men fad and treated for any wounds. Soldiers were rotated every week between frontline and support trenches RESERVED TRENCH - third line Trench lines connected together with communication trenches which were used to transport soldiers, munition, food supplies and orders. Latrines were also placed along them. |
Life in the Trenches
While in the trenches, soldiers only got to sleep in the afternoon during daylight and at night for an hour at a time. During their free time, many would play cards.
Families sent parcels of food to their relatives at war: They sent items such as chocolate, tobacco and tinned food. They were also allowed to write letters home and were given free postcards or headed paper. But most letters were read by an officer who checked they did not give away secrets or spoil morale. |
Soldiers were encouraged to wash their feet regularly and often had their feet inspected. Since soldiers could not always leave the trenches, the trenches became filthy with human waste and garbage. As well, soldiers who had died were not always removed from the trenches and their bodies remained in the water and mud. The dirty situation attracted rats in large numbers and many soldiers were affected by lice. Because of some soldiers' prolonged exposure to damp, unsanitary, cold conditions, many developed a condition called trench foot