Trench WarfareTrench Warfare

When the German advance was finally stopped outside of Paris they moved to a more defensive position

This led to a race for the sea in which trenches for both sides extended all the way to the North Sea from Switzerland

When the German advance was finally stopped outside of Paris they moved to a more defensive position

This led to a race for the sea in which trenches for both sides extended all the way to the North Sea from Switzerland

Trench Warfare beginsTrench Warfare begins

The TrenchesThe Trenches

Were the “front lines” - the most dangerous place on the battlefield

In France, trenches ran through towns and villages, industrial works, coal mines, through farms, forests and across rivers

Were the “front lines” - the most dangerous place on the battlefield

In France, trenches ran through towns and villages, industrial works, coal mines, through farms, forests and across rivers

The TrenchesThe Trenches

Fighting trenches were usually about 12 feet deep

Early on trenches were temporary and not as well constructed, but as both sides dug in, trenches became far more complex

Fighting trenches were usually about 12 feet deep

Early on trenches were temporary and not as well constructed, but as both sides dug in, trenches became far more complex

The PlanThe PlanShell Enemy Shell Enemy

TrenchesTrenchesAdvance Across No-Advance Across No-

Man’s LandMan’s LandEnter Enemy Enter Enemy

TrenchesTrenches

- blow holes in the- blow holes in thebarbed wirebarbed wire- weaken general - weaken general defensesdefenses- demoralize enemy- demoralize enemyso they lose theirso they lose theirwill to fightwill to fight

- men advance (full- men advance (fullof fighting spirit)of fighting spirit)- enemy further - enemy further demoralized by the demoralized by the spirited advancespirited advance

- engage in combat- engage in combatwith those who arewith those who areleftleft- secure your new - secure your new positionposition

The RealityThe RealityShell Enemy Shell Enemy

TrenchesTrenches

Advance Across No-Advance Across No-Man’s LandMan’s Land

Enter Enemy Enter Enemy TrenchesTrenches

- enemy defenses rarely weakened- enemy defenses rarely weakenedby artillery barrageby artillery barrage

- troops are not demoralized- troops are not demoralized

- no element of surprise - no element of surprise (end of shelling signals the (end of shelling signals the beginning of the attack); beginning of the attack); enemy can prepareenemy can prepare- no-man’s land offers no protection (open - no-man’s land offers no protection (open field)field)- advance slowed by mud, shell holes, and - advance slowed by mud, shell holes, and bodiesbodies- easy targets for enemy machine guns (new - easy targets for enemy machine guns (new weapon of war that generals were not weapon of war that generals were not prepared for) prepared for) - old tactics vs. new weapons = massacre- old tactics vs. new weapons = massacre

- rarely make it this far- rarely make it this far

Life in the TrenchesLife in the Trenches

Death was a constant companion to those men in line

Even in areas where there was no action there was constant shellfire and disease to worry about

Rats infested the trenches in the millions - these rats gorged themselves on the human dead

Death was a constant companion to those men in line

Even in areas where there was no action there was constant shellfire and disease to worry about

Rats infested the trenches in the millions - these rats gorged themselves on the human dead

Line in the TrenchesLine in the Trenches

The Trench Cycle was the time period men would spend in the line

This amount of time would vary from weeks to months

Daily life was spent with inspections, chores, supplies and waiting, constant waiting

The Trench Cycle was the time period men would spend in the line

This amount of time would vary from weeks to months

Daily life was spent with inspections, chores, supplies and waiting, constant waiting

Trench FootTrench FootTrench foot was a constant problem in the trenches

Trench foot is a fungal infection of the feet that could cause gangrene and possibly amputation

Was caused by cold, wet and unsanitary conditions

Men stood for countless hours in waterlogged trenches, unable to remove their wet socks or boots

Feet would gradually go numb and the skin would turn red or blue, if untreated, could lead to gangrene and amputation

Trench foot was a constant problem in the trenches

Trench foot is a fungal infection of the feet that could cause gangrene and possibly amputation

Was caused by cold, wet and unsanitary conditions

Men stood for countless hours in waterlogged trenches, unable to remove their wet socks or boots

Feet would gradually go numb and the skin would turn red or blue, if untreated, could lead to gangrene and amputation