Trench Warfare and Conditions Flashcards
What were the primary purposes of trenches in WW1?
To provide protection from enemy fire and establish defensive positions.
What were the key features of a WW1 trench system?
Frontline trenches, support trenches, reserve trenches, and communication trenches.
What was “no man’s land”?
The area between opposing trenches, often filled with barbed wire and landmines.
What were some of the conditions soldiers faced in the trenches?
Mud, flooding, lice, rats, cold, disease, and lack of proper sanitation.
What was trench foot, and how did it affect soldiers?
A condition caused by prolonged exposure to damp and unsanitary conditions, leading to infection and sometimes amputation.
How did the use of new weapons like machine guns affect trench warfare?
Machine guns made attacks across no man’s land deadly, leading to stalemates.
What was the psychological impact of trench warfare on soldiers?
Soldiers often suffered from shell shock (now PTSD) due to constant bombardment and stress.
How did artillery influence life in the trenches?
Constant shelling caused destruction, high casualties, and fear among soldiers.
What role did gas attacks play in trench warfare?
Poison gas like chlorine and mustard gas caused severe injuries and panic, though gas masks reduced effectiveness over time.
Why was trench warfare considered a war of attrition?
Both sides aimed to wear down the enemy through continuous attacks, resulting in high casualties and little territorial gain.
