Trench Warfare: World War 1
Dayjah Kissler
How the Trench Warfare worked
Trench Warfare was a method of fighting where opposing armies fought from and defended their territories using a system of dug out trenches or ditches. In other words, opposing armies would be facing each other and have their own system of trenches, and in between each system of trenches would be an open piece of land called no mans land.
How they built Trenches in WW1
Trench construction was difficult. According to the British trench guidelines, it took nearly six hours for 450 men to construct 250 meters of trench. After this they would have to add the other materials necessary: barbed wire, board walks, and sand bags.
How it Functioned During WW1
Systems of trenches could be miles wide across a countryside so that no enemy could get around them, or they could span up to 300 yards long! That's up to three football fields in length. Trenches would typically be dug around 12 feet deep but could be smaller or deeper depending on the country digging them. The space between two sets of enemy trenches varied but often could range up to several hundred yards as well. According to Education Portal.
Advantages During War
The pros for the Trench Warfare was you were easily covered from shooters so you could eat and sleep occasionally. You could still shoot at the enemy and be safe.
The Cons of Trench Warfare was all the diseases, and the stench of dead bodies.
Major Problems with Trench Warfare
A problem with this was the constant going of Shell Shock. shell shock was caused by the constant bombardment of shells. Throughout World War 1 it was unidentified and soldiers were suffering from it. It was later determined what it was. More issues were the dirt and disease that came from the trenches, along with dead bodies surrounding everyone throughout the day.
Conditions in Trenches - Dan Snow's Battle of the Somme