1 9 1 4 At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them 1 9 1 8
THE TRENCHES - LIFE ON THE WESTERN FRONT No Man’s Land and the enemy
Hunting grounds Built-up parapet
Parados - an elevated bank of soil to hide silhouettes and protect against shrapnel from shells exploding behind the trench
Usual ground level Supporting stake, buried into parapet
Corrugated iron revetments, supporting “A Frame” and wooden posts provide structural strength
Fire Step
Duck boards for walking, sometimes covered with mesh to reduce risk of slipping
Sump for water and mud
It is estimated that around 1,500 miles of trenches were dug on the Western Front, averaging 4-6ft wide and 9ft deep. 450 troops could dig about 800ft in an hour, all by hand. Designed for attrition, they mostly followed the general pattern above.
Muddy Hell
Gas attack
Most trenches flooded in bad weather, leaving them full of cold mud. Disease was rife, as was the condition Trench Foot, brought on by the wet conditions. Many of the trenches also had pests such as rats, lice, and frogs. Rats in particular were a problem as they contaminated food supplies and gnawed on soldiers’ while they slept, spreading disease.
The German Army first deployed gas on January 1915 at Bolimów. 18,000 shells of xylyl bromide were fired at the Allies, but winds blew it back on the attackers - a common occurrence. In fact, gas proved so hard to control that its mass deployment remains unique to WW1. Those afflicted would suffer painful death or horrific injury.
Trenches used a zig-zag pattern to minimise explosion damage or bullets from enemy raiders as more troops would be in their path in a straight trench. Behind the front line was a complex network of reserve, support and supply trenches.
NO MAN’S LAND
Snipers were common in WW1, often cleverly camouflaged and always on the lookout for the unwary taking a quick peek into No Man’s Land. The Germans initially dominated, having many expert marksmen and sporting-grade rifles due to Germany’s hunting tradition. French soldiers were especially easy targets due to their vivid blue tunics and red trousers (soon changed!)
Shot at dawn
Grub’s up
Down the hatch
The phrase “an army marches on its stomach” has been attributed to both Napoleon and Frederick the Great. Whoever said it, it is certainly true. WW1 rations were high in calories and fat to give plenty of energy. Troops on both sides quickly tired of their restricted diet, and there are many reports of German and British troops risking court martial to exchange bully beef for sausages.
Alcohol was frowned up by the British Army as a threat to discipline, but troops would often “liberate” wine cellars. A ration of rum was sanctioned for cold nights and also as “Dutch courage” before attacks. It was issued from large ceramic jugs stamped SRD - Supply Reserve Depot, though troops quickly nicknamed them “Soon Runs Dry” and “Seldom Reaches Destination”.
304 British soldiers were executed by firing squad in WW1, far less than is commonly thought by many. 245 were shot for desertion, 19 for murder and the remainder for various disciplinary offences such as striking an officer. The use of execution was undoubtedly intended to send a message to troops, but it had a severe impact on morale and so the vast majority of those who committed offences were sentenced to imprisonment.