Features of a Trench

Features of a Trench

Dugouts Dugouts were protective holes dug out of the sides of trenches. The size of dugouts varied a great deal, some small enough for just one man, others could house over ten men. A manual published by the British Army recommended dugouts that were between 2 ft. and 4 ft. 6 in. FireStep So that soldiers in front-line trenches could fire through the parapet (the front of the trench), a fire-step was dug into the forward side of the trench. The fire-step was 2 or 3 ft high. It was on this that the sentries (soldiers on look-out duties) stood. It was also used by the whole unit when standing-to (awaiting an anticipated enemy attack).

Duckboards Most of the land on the Western Front was only a couple of feet above sea level. As soon as soldiers began to dig trenches they would invariably find water just below the surface. Constantly standing in water caused trench foot (a condition that could result in an amputated foot) and other ailments. In an attempt to alleviate the problem, wooden planking, known as duckboards, were placed at the bottom of trenches and across other areas of muddy or waterlogged ground. Barbed Wire Trenches on the Western Front were usually about seven feet deep and six feet wide. These trenches were protected by thick barbed-wire entanglements. Barbed-wire was usually placed far enough from the trenches to prevent the enemy from approaching close enough to throw grenades in. Sometimes barbed-wire entanglements were set up in order to channel attacking soldiers into machine-gun fire.

Sandbags The top two or three feet of the parapet (the side of the trench that faces the enemy) and the parados (the rear side of the trench) would consist of a thick line of sandbags to absorb any bullets or shell fragments. Sandbags were filled with earth. Research by the British Army suggested that a typical bullet used in the First World War would only penetrate fifteen inches into a sandbag. Therefore sandbags offered great protection. Lee Enfield Rifle The Lee Enfield Rifle was the main rifle used by the British Army during the First world war. All infantrymen (soldiers who were fighting in the trenches) were issued on of these. Soldiers would fire this stood upon the fire step, looking through the parapet of the trench.

Parapet and Parados The front of the trench was known as the parapet. Both the parapet and the parados (the rear-side of the trench) were protected by two or three feet of sandbags. Wooden Periscope Being able to observe what your enemy is doing is a vital part of warfare. Frequently, if a man’s head appeared above the top of the trench, they would be shot by snipers. Soldiers used Periscopes in order to see over the top of the parapet without risking their life. Wooden periscopes were preferred over metal because metal can reflect sunlight which could give away an armies position.