The_Trench_Scene.docx_1

The Trench Scene: Overview of the Trench System

From the winter of 1914 until the spring of 1918, the trench system of the First World War became a fixed formation, with minor adjustments over time. Notably, the French front alone is estimated to have had about 6,250 miles of trenches, and considering the British occupied a similar length, the total Allied trench length reached over 12,000 miles. When including the trenches of the Central Powers, the total extended to about 25,000 miles, symbolically comparable to encircling the Earth. Although theoretically possible to traverse from Belgium to Switzerland underground, the trench lines, while continuous, were not without gaps, sometimes merely connected by shell holes or fortified positions. The poet Sassoon succinctly summarized the war’s nature as a series of "holes and ditches."

Structure of the Trenches

The trench configuration typically consisted of three lines:

• Front-line trench: Positioned 50 yards to a mile from enemy trenches.

• Support trench: Located hundreds of yards behind the front-line trench.

• Reserve line: A further few hundred yards behind the support trench.

There were three main types of trenches:

• Firing trenches: used for combat engagement.

• Communication trenches: linking the three trench lines and traversing the battlefield.

• Saps: shallow ditches extending into No Man's Land to allow for observation and defense posts.

Trench Construction and Living Conditions

Trenches were designed to be about six to eight feet deep and four to five feet wide. Upon the enemy's side, a parapet of earth or sandbags provided cover, while the friendly side featured a parados. Occupants had access to manholes ("funk-holes") and deeper dugouts, often used as command posts. A well-constructed trench avoided running straight to prevent enfilade fire; instead, it zigzagged with traverses to limit damage and control movement. The floors were typically lined with wooden duckboards over sumps that collected water and the walls were supported with various materials against collapse.

Life in the Trenches

Monchy Experience

In Monchy, a soldier described an underground trench shelter accessed by 40 chalk steps that mitigated the impact of heavy shelling. Observation was limited to the use of periscopes or loopholes shielded by armor plate. Barbed wire entanglements needed to be strategically positioned to deter enemy advances. Interestingly, both barbed wire and the machine gun, crucial to trench warfare, were American inventions. However, British trenches were described as cold, wet, and unpleasant, especially compared to the German trenches, which were perceived as more sophisticated and comfortable.

British vs. German Trenches

The contrast between British and German trenches highlighted different national approaches:

• British trenches: Often improvised, considered temporary, and lacked the robust construction seen in German counterparts. This reflected a military mentality that assumed they would not remain in trenches for extended periods.

• German trenches: Characterized by depth, cleanliness, and comfort, featuring amenities like bunk beds, electric lighting, and other comforts.

Daily Life and Duties

Soldiers rotated through the trench lines, spending weeks engaged in trench duty. Daily life involved standing guard, cleaning weapons, performing maintenance, and writing correspondence. A significant focus was on preparing for potential attacks, illustrated by the morning ritual of stand-to at dawn. Rations, especially precious rum, were distributed ceremoniously, and soldiers engaged in routine chores and repairs during the day.

As illustrated by soldier accounts, the focus of trench life centered on survival amid artillery bombardments. Soldiers risked exposure during quiet periods to maintain defensive positions, and significant contact between opposing forces was often limited to the nightly activities of wiring parties and patrolling. The trenches were frequently plagued by water accumulation and mud, with the British trenches retaining water due to geographical conditions. Soldiers had to adapt to soggy environments, often issuing waders as essential gear for navigating flooded trenches.

Environmental Challenges and Disturbances

Sanitary Conditions

Beyond combat, the trenches were stressful environments compounded by vermin including lice and rats. The stench from decaying corpses often wafted through the lines due to inadequate burial practices. Dead animals and men contributed to the pervasive odor, emphasizing the horrific conditions under which soldiers lived. Despite attempts at sanitation, soldiers struggled with cleanliness and stored rations often became infected due to rat infestations.

In summary, the trench warfare experience during WWI encapsulated not only the physical characteristics of the trenches themselves but also the psychological toll it took on soldiers, shaped by conditions of squalor, discomfort, and the omnipresent threat of violence.

Unique or Complicated Terms in the Trench Scene

1. Enfilade Fire: A type of gunfire where the enemy is fired upon from the side, rather than from the front, which causes significant damage due to the alignment of the trenches and positions.

2. Parapet: A protective wall or earth defense along the top of a trench that offers cover to soldiers from enemy fire.

3. Parados: The bank of earth or fortification situated behind the trench, primarily used to protect the rear from enemy fire and to prevent enemy observation.

4. Funk-holes: Manholes or shelter holes within the trench used by soldiers to escape from artillery fire or to take cover.

5. Traverse: A zigzag part of the trench designed to minimize the effects of enfilade fire by directing enemy fire upwards and limiting visibility.

6. Saps: Shallow trenches that extend into No Man's Land, used for observation or to insert defensive posts into enemy territory.

7. Stand-to: A morning ritual where soldiers were on high alert, prepared for an attack as the day began.

8. Duckboards: Wooden planks laid down to create a walkway in muddy trenches, helping soldiers to keep their feet dry and maintain mobility.