Trench Warfare

When the German advance was finally stopped outside of Paris they moved to a more defensive position This led to a race for the sea in which trenches for both sides extended all the way to the North Sea from Switzerland When the German advance was finally stopped outside of Paris they moved to a more defensive position This led to a race for the sea in which trenches for both sides extended all the way to the North Sea from Switzerland Trench Warfare begins Trench Warfare begins

The Trenches Were the “front lines” - the most dangerous place on the battlefield In France, trenches ran through towns and villages, industrial works, coal mines, through farms, forests and across rivers Were the “front lines” - the most dangerous place on the battlefield In France, trenches ran through towns and villages, industrial works, coal mines, through farms, forests and across rivers

The Trenches The Trenches Fighting trenches were usually about 12 feet deep Early on trenches were temporary and not as well constructed, but as both sides dug in, trenches became far more complex Fighting trenches were usually about 12 feet deep Early on trenches were temporary and not as well constructed, but as both sides dug in, trenches became far more complex

The Plan Shell Enemy Trenches Advance Across No-Man’s Land Enter Enemy Trenches - blow holes in the barbed wire - weaken general defenses - demoralize enemy so they lose their will to fight - men advance (full of fighting spirit) - enemy further demoralized by the spirited advance - engage in combat with those who are left - secure your new position

The Reality Shell Enemy Trenches Advance Across No-Man’s Land Enter Enemy Trenches - enemy defenses rarely weakened by artillery barrage - troops are not demoralized - no element of surprise (end of shelling signals the beginning of the attack); enemy can prepare - no-man’s land offers no protection (open field) - advance slowed by mud, shell holes, and bodies - easy targets for enemy machine guns (new weapon of war that generals were not prepared for) - old tactics vs. new weapons = massacre - rarely make it this far

Life in the Trenches Death was a constant companion to those men in line Even in areas where there was no action there was constant shellfire and disease to worry about Rats infested the trenches in the millions - these rats gorged themselves on the human dead Death was a constant companion to those men in line Even in areas where there was no action there was constant shellfire and disease to worry about Rats infested the trenches in the millions - these rats gorged themselves on the human dead

Line in the Trenches The Trench Cycle was the time period men would spend in the line This amount of time would vary from weeks to months Daily life was spent with inspections, chores, supplies and waiting, constant waiting The Trench Cycle was the time period men would spend in the line This amount of time would vary from weeks to months Daily life was spent with inspections, chores, supplies and waiting, constant waiting

Trench Foot Trench Foot Trench foot was a constant problem in the trenches Trench foot is a fungal infection of the feet that could cause gangrene and possibly amputation Was caused by cold, wet and unsanitary conditions Men stood for countless hours in waterlogged trenches, unable to remove their wet socks or boots Feet would gradually go numb and the skin would turn red or blue, if untreated, could lead to gangrene and amputation Trench foot was a constant problem in the trenches Trench foot is a fungal infection of the feet that could cause gangrene and possibly amputation Was caused by cold, wet and unsanitary conditions Men stood for countless hours in waterlogged trenches, unable to remove their wet socks or boots Feet would gradually go numb and the skin would turn red or blue, if untreated, could lead to gangrene and amputation