Trench Warfare in WW1

Essay by ruairidhJunior High, 9th gradeA+, August 2004

download word file, 3 pages 1.5 3 reviews

Downloaded 64 times

World War 1 is perhaps best known for being a war fought in trenches, ditches dug out of the ground to give troops protection from enemy artillery and machine-gun fire.

The trenches spread from the East to the West. By the end of 1914, trenches stretched all along the 475 miles front between the Swiss border and the Channel coast. In some places, enemy trenches were less than thirty yards apart.

Although trenches spread for many miles, their appearance varied. Upon looking more closely, one could see that each army's trench line was actually a series of three trenches. These three lines connected at various points by small, twisted trenches. These three lines were called front, support, and reserve trenches. The front line trenches usually measured six feet and had a zigzag pattern to prevent enemy fire from sweeping the entire length of the trench. Between the two opposing front lines laid, an area called "No Man's Land" that measured from 7 yards to 250 yards in width.

This area was littered with barbed wire, tin scrapes, and mines to reduce the chance of enemy crossing. The other two trenches (support, and reserve) were constructed to easily move supplies and troops to the front trenches.

Trenches varied from six to eight feet in height. After wet rainy days trenches would get filled with water. In these trenches, there was a need for extra support, wood boards, and sandbags were placed on the side and on the floor for extra support and a safe area for walking.

In spite of the fact that the trenches protected the soldiers, they stood no chance against the diseases. Body lice were among one of the diseases that travelled among the trenches the most. Body lice caused frenzied scratching and led to trench fever. Fifteen...