1. Trench Life

2. Conditions Constant fear of attack Dead bodies, lice, rats
Exposed to weather
Mud led to trench foot

3. Mental Torture Boring, guard duty, repairing trenches
High casualties during fighting
Shelling, gas attacks led to breakdowns “shell shock”

4. Frontlines Defense was easier than offense (attack)
Sometimes very close (50 yards); sniper attacks
Unofficial truces at times

5. No Man’s Land The ground separating trenches
Barbed wire, mines, parapets (sandbags)
Whistles blown before attacks
Troops ordered to advance
“Over the top”

6. Artillery Barrages
Both sides tried to destroy trenches with artillery (giant guns)
Often inaccurate and created craters
Heavy shelling before major attacks
Usually failed to destroy trenches

7. The Somme The front line – major battle, suffered terribly
70% of troops killed