Trench Warfare

1
Trench Warfare
2
The Trench System
3
A Cross Section of a Trench
4
Life in the Trenches

• The trench system built up quickly based on the
  idea that soldiers would not stay in them very
  long.
• Conditions in the trenches were poor and forced
  men to live outside in all sorts or weather.

5
Over the Parapet

• Soldiers had to be on look-out for enemy patrols
  attacking their trenches.
• Jobs included cleaning weapons, digging or
  repairing the trench, filling sandbags and
  replacing barbed wire.

6
Waterlogged Conditions
7
Waterlogged Conditions

• The trenches grew muddy and full of water in the
  poor weather of the winter months.
• Soldiers were forced to stand in cold dirty water
  sometimes up to their knees or beyond!
• Standing in cold water for long periods led to a
  condition known as Trench Foot.

8
Trench Foot
9

• Trench Foot was an extremely painful condition
  that caused a soldiers foot to swell up and go
  numb.
• Soldiers would often have to have their foot
  amputated as a result of this.
• Dry socks and whale-oil grease helped to prevent
  it.

10
Rats!!!

• Trenches were built hurriedly without a proper
  system for waste disposal.
• Food, empty cans, corpses and filth all attracted
  the rats!
• Trench rats grew to huge sizes and would steal
  food from sleeping soldiers.
• They were also to be found on the bodies of dead
  soldiers.
• We were filled with hatred for them because one
  could not help feeling that they fed on the dead

11
Lice

• Lice was another common feature of trench life.
• Caused scratching, irritation, misery and
  disease Trench Fever.
• Soldiers tried burning them with candles.
• Soldiers were given huge baths and clothes were
  rinsed but the eggs remained and hatched again!

12
Summary

• Life in the trenches was very hard, it was also
  uncomfortable and dangerous. Soldiers had to
  face
• Freezing weather conditions lack of sleep
• Water logged trenches and Trench Foot
• Rats
• Lice
• As well as risking their lives on a daily basis
  to maintain and guard their trench from an enemy
  attack.