Stalemate and Attrition Trench Warfare Stalemate and Attrition

The Western Front in 1914

The Western Front in 1918

Change over the course of the war

Conclusions? What can you conclude about the effectiveness of trench warfare during WWI from the maps?

Trench warfare had resulted in a “tie” Neither side could gain territory Defensive tactics were more effective than offensive Gains were only measured in metres Each side seemed to only try to kill as many enemy soldiers as possible

Germans dug defensive fortifications (on high ground overlooking their enemies) along a long “front” from Belgium to Switzerland The French and British, and later Canadians and others, also “dug in” and the armies faced each other in what is now known as trench warfare

German Trenches

Canadian Trenches

The Trench System

Going Over the Top

The Trench Cycle Typically, a battalion would be expected to serve a spell in the front lines. This would be followed by a stint in support, and then reserve lines. A period of rest would follow- generally short in duration- before the cycle would begin again. In reality the cycle was determined by the necessities of the situation. The number of days spent in each part of the cycle varied widely. In one calendar year, a man might expect to spend… 80 days in the front lone 40 in support 120 in reserve 70 at rest 14 days off

Daily Death in the Trenches Death was a constant companion to those serving in the line, even when no raid or attack was launched. In busy sectors, the constant shellfire directed by the enemy brought random death, whether the victims were lounging in a trench or lying in a dugout. Because of this shellfire, many men were buried instantly and their bodies were never found) Similarly, novices were cautioned against their natural inclination to peer over the parapet of the trench into No Man’s Land. Many men dies on their first day as a consequence of a well aimed sniper bullet It has been estimated that one third of Allied casualties on the Western Front were actually sustained in the trenches.

Breakfast Truce In essentially every area of the front line at some time or other, both sides would adopt an unofficial truce while breakfast was served and eaten. This truce extended to the wagons which delivered the food. Truces such as these did not last long.

Chores in the Trenches After breakfast, the commander would assign chores: Refilling sandbags Repairing duckboards Draining water Reinforcing walls Cleaning and preparing latrines

Daily Boredom Given that each side’s front line was constantly under watch by snipers and lookouts during the day, movement was logically restricted to night time. Thus, once men had completed their chores, they were free to attend to more personal matters like reading and writing letter home. Meals were also prepared Wherever possible, men slept (although often fro only a few minutes before it was time to move on to another task)

…And the Smell Finally, no overview of trench life can avoid the aspect that instantly struck visitors to the front lines: the reek given off by numerous conflicting sources. Rotting carcasses lay around in the thousands (For Example, Approx. 200000 men lay killed on the battlefields of The Somme). Overflowing latrines would also give a horrible stench Men who hadn’t bathed in weeks or even months would smell of dried sweat and dirty feet Creosol or chloride of lime was used to rid men of constant threat of disease and infection Also, the smell of cordite (lingering from poison gas), rotting sandbags, mud, cigarette smoke, food, etc.

Trench foot: the rotting of flesh in and around your toes Trench foot: the rotting of flesh in and around your toes. Caused by constantly wet boots. Trench mouth: a painful infection in their mouth Shell-shock: a severe nervous breakdown caused by no escape from fire and threat of death.