The Trench System Flashcards
When were trenches first made
1914 in northern France
What were trenches like at first
They were temporary and build quickly using sandbags
What are key features of a trench
Firebay , duckboard, firestep, parapet, ammunition shelf, dugout
What is a fire bay
Where troops did the shooting, they would be protected by sandbags
What is the duckboard
To prevent soldiers from standing in water
What is the fire step
Allows soldiers to fire towards the other trench. Trenches were 2.5 m deep
What is a parapet
Low protective wall
What is an ammunition shelf
Area in which ammo was kept near the fire step
What is the dug out
Area dug into side of the trench where men could take protective cover
What was the support trench
80 m behind the frontline trench. Troops would retreat here if under attack. 10% of time spent here
What is the communication trench
Trenches that run between other trenches, linking them together
What is a frontline trench
Where attacks were made from, the most dangerous area. Only 15% of the soldiers time was here
What was the reserve trench
100 m behind the support trench where troops would be mobilised to come to attack the enemy if they captured the front line. 30% of time spent here
Advantages of trench system
Simple and cheap to build
Easy to defend with few men using barbed wire and artillery
Provided shelter
Disadvantages of the trench system
How to attack as you had to cross No mans land
Dirty and unhygienic
In winter bad weather lead to frostbite 6000 cases in December 1940
