2. What were the trenches and why were they there?
The trenches in WW1 were the front line, the most dangerous position in the war. They were subject to constant enemy fire and bombardment. The trenches were a complex system of narrow ditches designed to protect soldiers from the enemy. They were zig-zagged to prevent the opposition from firing straight down the line and gas attacks spreading too far.
The trenches were generally dug in such a rush that the soldiers usually had no time to reinforce them. They were subject to cave-ins and flooding. However if an army had more time they would use sandbags and wooden planks to hold up the walls. Barbed wire could also be placed ahead of the trench to slow down enemy attacks. The trenches weren’t beautiful. They were just 2 metre wide ditches filled with mud. Often wooden boards were placed on the ground, called duckboards. These were to strengthen the ground and make it easier to walk through the trenches.
3.…show more content… Living conditions in the trenches.
Living conditions in the trenches were harsh and unforgiving. They were constantly subject to flooding, diseases and pests. Common diseases included trench foot, trench mouth, frost bite and trench fever. There were many things that contributed to the diseases and deaths such as the unhygienic latrine, the food scraps, empty tins, waste and being unable to wash or change clothing for weeks. The latrine was a deep hole in the ground with a wooden plank across it for the men to sit or squat on. The numerous vermin in the trenches were the main cause of diseases, which also resulted in the most