The trench system Flashcards
How did either side protect the land they held?
Following “The Race to the Sea”, both sides “dug in” in protect the land they held. This led to a complex trench system which was from the English channel to the Swiss Border.
What was trench foot and how could this be avoided?
Trench foot was an infection brought on by the constant water that soldiers’ feet were in. This could lead to legs being amputated. To avoid this, soldiers used whale oil and attempted to keep their feet clean.
Why were shells such a danger in the trenches?
If you were hit by an explosive shell in the dugout, you had nowhere to go and the dugout would not protect you.
What was shell shock?
Shell shock was the emotional and physical trauma that was brought on by the fact you were always in constant fear of death and witnessing people, those especially close to you, die. It was brought on partly because of guilt and this meant people suffered from nightmares and could not control their body movements. Some officers assumed these soldiers just wanted to get out of war and were not actually ill and so it was common for them to be court-martialled.
Why were trench pests an issue and how could this be avoided?
Trench pests, such as mosquitoes, lice and rats, were an issue as they caused unbearable itching, diseases to be spread and the rats ate the dead and started t try to eat the wounded while they were sleeping. This could only be avoided by attempting to keep as clean as possible.
Describe what being shot must have been like.
This pain would have been excruciating and meant death in many cases. The only way to avoid this in the actual trench, was to keep your head down.
