Life in theTrenches

Learning Intentions By the end of the lesson I will be able to understand how the trench system developed I will be able to understand what life was like in the trenches for Scottish soldiers during World War One

Success Criteria Using the information from a diagram in the PowerPoint I will be able to complete the labelling exercise using a blank template showing the cross section of a trench From the PowerPoint I can take information and use this to make a mind map of what it was like to live in the trenches during World War One Using the mind map that I have created I will be able to complete an exercise on creative writing about life in a trench

The Trench System

The Trench System parts The British, French, German, Belgian, Russian and Austrian armies developed trench networks They were built for purposes of defence They had 3 rows of trenches The Frontline trench The support trench (the second line of defence) The Reserve trench These were linked together by a series of Communication trenches

Cross section of a trench Sandbag walls & parapet Machine gun nest Barbed wire Rear Revetment Revetment or bolt hole Sump

Life in the Trenches Soldiers had a tough time living in the trenches. They had to endure freezing cold, wet and rainy in autumn and winter. In the summer it could be very hot and uncomfortable. These though were the least of their worries.

Mindmap Task Over the next few slides you will be asked to make a mind map of life in the trenches. It has been started for you. Life in the Trenches

Dangers Copy out the following points: Soldiers had to face “Going Over the Top” This was the most dangerous problem for them as they were exposed in “No Mans Land”. Being outside the trenches meant they could be killed by shell and machine gun fire.

Rats Trenches were built in a hurry without proper sanitation Food, empty cans and dead bodies all attracted Rats Rats could grow to huge sizes on all the food they had to eat in the trenches. RATS IN THE TRENCHES

Lice Lice was a common part of life in the trenches They lived on the uniforms of Soldiers This caused them to feel itchy and scratch themselves It caused an illness called “Trench Fever” Symptoms were like a very bad case of Flu and included: fever, sickness, and diarrhoea

The picture show German soldiers removing lice from their uniforms

Waterlogged Trenches When it rained it was impossible to keep dry Heavy rain meant that the trenches would fill up with water Soldiers were not allowed to leave the Frontline trenches and would get soaked through Standing in the waterlogged trenches led to a condition called Trench foot Symptoms included; large blisters, numb and swollen feet In extreme cases it could lead to feet being amputated

Effects of Trench Foot Severe case of Trench Foot Early stages of Trench Foot

Effects of Trench Foot This slide shows how the feet rot away after exposure to constant wet conditions

Dangers from Gas Gas was first used in 1915 by the Germans There was no proper protection from this at first……until gas masks were invented Gas was feared by the British and French troops It caused peoples lungs to collapse and they drowned in the fluids from their own lungs Later the British used Gas against the Germans at Loos Types of Gas used Chlorine Gas - used by Germany and Britain Phosgene gas – used by France Mustard Gas - Germany

Gas attack The photo shows a Chlorine gas attack by the Germans during WW1

Victims of a Gas Attack Poison gas could kill but it also caused blindness or damaged lungs or skin

Shell Shock Constant shelling and the noise from this was blamed for shell shock Victims were nervous and on edge all the time and found it hard to concentrate They tired easily and had slower reactions Shell Shock Shell shock Recovery This is a Shell Shock victim

2017 Q17 (adapted) Describe the conditions Scottish soldiers faced in the trenches. 4

2015 Q18 - Comparison

Comparison Q Structure Overall, the sources agree/ disagree on… (list points of agreement/ disagreement) In detail, Source A and B agree/ disagree on…Source A says ‘QUOTE’ and Source B says ‘QUOTE’. x3

Learning Intentions By the end of the lesson I have been able to understand how the trench system developed I have been able to understand what life was like in the trenches for Scottish soldiers during World War One from the information on the PowerPoint

Success Criteria Using the information from a diagram in the PowerPoint I have been able to complete the labelling exercise using a blank template showing the cross section of a trench From the PowerPoint I have taken information and used this to make a mind map of what it was like to live in the trenches during World War One Using the mind map that I have created I have been able to complete an exercise on creative writing about life in a trench