Trenches Flashcards
Why were trenches used in WW1?
Trenches provided relative protection against increasingly lethal weaponry
Soldiers dug in to defend themselves against shrapnel and bullets.
What was the Western Front?
A theater of war in France and Belgium where trenches were dug
Trenches evolved into complex networks, stretching over 250 miles.
What is the Hindenburg Line?
A defensive line established by the Germans during WW1
It was part of the trench system.
Name two specific locations where trenches were significant during WW1.
- Verdun
- The Somme
- Vimy Ridge
- The Ypres salient
What are the main components of a trench layout?
- Front line
- Duckboard
- Barbed wire
- Firestep
Firestep helped soldiers fire from the trench.
What was a dugout?
A shelter used by soldiers to sleep in the trenches
Offered some protection from the elements.
What was a common hazard for soldiers in the trenches?
Death was a constant companion
Many men died on their first day due to snipers.
What percentage of Allied casualties on the Western Front were sustained in the trenches?
1/3 of Allied casualties
Indicates the high risk of trench warfare.
What types of rats infested the trenches?
- Brown rats
- Black rats
Brown rats were particularly feared due to their behavior.
How many offspring could a single rat couple produce in a year?
Up to 900 offspring
Contributed to the infestation and spread of disease.
What disease was caused by lice in the trenches?
Trench fever
A painful disease that began with pain and fever, recovery took 12 weeks.
What was trench foot?
A fungal infection of the feet caused by cold, wet conditions
Could result in amputation.
What was the typical diet for soldiers in the trenches?
- Bread
- Cheese
- Beef
- Hard biscuits
- Maconchile stew
- Plum and apple jam
Food was often of poor quality.
What did trench water taste like?
Like chlorine and petrol
Indicates the unsanitary conditions in the trenches.
What was the morning routine called that began an hour before dawn?
Stand to!
This routine involved soldiers climbing up the fire step to guard against a dawn raid by the enemy.
What were the three main gases used during WW1?
- Mustard gas
- Chlorine gas
- Phosgene
These gases were used as methods of killing during the war.
What type of damage did mustard gas cause?
Skin blisters and damage to eyes
Mustard gas smelled like garlic, leek, or mustard.
What symptoms were caused by chlorine gas?
- Violent coughing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Burns
Chlorine gas smelled like bleach.
What was the method used by soldiers to protect against gas attacks?
Water-soaked (or urine-soaked) rags over their mouth and nose
This was a common practice to mitigate the effects of gas exposure.
What jobs were commonly performed by soldiers at night?
- Water party
- Wiring party
- Rushing party
- Listening post for patrols
- Repairing the trench
- Refilling sandbags
- Repairing duckboards
- Draining trenches
These tasks were essential for maintaining the trenches and overall safety.
What dangers did soldiers face when patrolling in No Man’s Land?
Encountering enemy patrols and the risk of hand-to-hand combat
Soldiers had to be cautious as using handguns could attract attention.
What was the penalty for falling asleep while on sentry duty?
Death by firing squad
Soldiers were expected to provide duty for up to 2 hours to avoid this risk.
What were soldiers tasked with doing during dusk?
Repeating the morning ritual of stand to to guard against surprise attacks
This was a routine to ensure safety during the night.
What did soldiers often do to relieve tension during early hours?
Machine gun fire, shelling, and small arms fire directed into the mist
This was done to ensure safety at dawn.
Fill in the blank: The morning ritual of _______ was repeated at dusk.
stand to
This routine was essential for preparing against surprise attacks.
What were the key tasks during supply and maintenance?
- Fetching rations
- Fetching water
- Sentry duty on the firestep
These tasks were crucial for sustaining the troops.
