World War 1
The Problems With War
War
Going to war is not just about killing the enemy, and watching out for bullets sent your way. War is also about having a safe hideout. Surviving in a trench for even 6 weeks is very hard and tiring.
Trenches
Life in the Trenches
Battalions took turns serving in the front line. They usually spent 70 days at a time in the trenches. Trench foot was a large problem at the beginning of the war. Because of this, soldiers were required to change their socks at least twice a day. The food soldiers recieved gradually diminished in size and quality. By the end, British troops were living on soups bade from local plants.
Trench foot
An infection due to cold and damp conditions.
Rats
Rats were a major problems, as they spread infections and feed on dead soldiers bodies, producing as much as 900 offspring a year.
Rain Water
They often had to drain the trenches after rain fall so the trenches wouldn't collapse.