Lesson 3: Why Trenches? Flashcards
What happened at the Battle of the Marne that caused trench warfare?
The Germans lost and retreated
How did the armies of Germany, Britain and France fight in the first few months of the war?
War of movement
What happened when the Germans were pushed back after the Battle of the Marne?
They were no longer moving forwards and the war entered a stalemate.
What did the Germans do by the end of September?
They had dug trenches to protect won land.
How long were the lines of the trenches by November 1914?
400 miles from Switzerland to the English Channel.
In a trench, where would the sandbags be?
Between the wooden or iron supports and the land.
What would be peeking on the top of a trench?
A wooden periscope, parapets, some sandbags and a Lee Enfield rifle.
What would the soldiers be standing on?
Duck boards and fire steps.
Where would the dugout be?
Behind the soldiers
What forced soldiers in the trenches and made the war defensive?
New weapons such as the machine gun
What was generals’ aim for the war?
To find new ways to attack and break the stalemate.
