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THE TRENCHES. The Origin of Trench Warfare. After defeat at the Marne (in France), Germans retreated to a more fortified position built a small network of trenches (long, narrow holes in the ground that would protect soldiers from gunfire) Why? so they could rest after attacks
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The Origin of Trench Warfare • After defeat at the Marne (in France), Germans retreated to a more fortified position • built a small network of trenches (long, narrow holes in the ground that would protect soldiers from gunfire) • Why? so they could rest after attacks • Trenches surrounded with barbed wire and machine gun nests & supported by heavy artillery
Easily defended & almost impenetrable • Germans able to hold off combined British & French attacks • British & French soon built their own trenches out of necessity
The Race to the Sea • After discovering that neither side could successfully attack the trenches, both sides tried to “outflank” (go around) their enemy • Both sides raced north, believing that the first to reach the coastline would have a great advantage • Both sides reached the coast at the same time! • The end result was that the small trench system was stretched out and cut a line though all of France (approx. 1000 km)
The Trenches • As time passed, they became more complex • lined with sandbags, tunnels were dug and underground dugouts were built • In some cases, concrete was poured in and drainage systems installed • The trenches were several levels deep and were connected by small communications trenches
No Man’s Land • Between enemy trenches was a space called “No Man’s Land” • Entering No Man’s Land meant almost certain death • Most men who were killed in No Man’s Land were left unburied and the smell of death spread for miles in each direction
Over the Top • Soldiers expected to dig & rebuild trenches each night • Generals on both sides not happy to remain on the defensive, & therefore constantly ordered their armies to attack • The order “Over the Top” forced men to get out of their trenches, travel in the open across No Man’s Land and attempt to capture an enemy trench • Millions on both sides died in attacks that accomplished nothing
The Dangers of Trench Warfare • The trenches were very dangerous and horrible places for many reasons • You faced the threat of death constantly • You were outside all the time • You were constantly wet • You were surrounded by dead people and human waste • Some examples of these dangers are . . .
