Western Front Flashcards
How were trenches dug out?
Entrenching- Soldiers in a straight line digging down
Sapping- A solider digging out from the end of a trench
Tunnelling- Like sapping but a layer of dirt left on top until the tench was finished
How were fire trenches designed?
A parados was raised layer of dirt and sandbags behind the trench to protect from shells
Duckboards were walked on over wet areas to prevent trench foot
Parapet was like the parados on the front side to protect men from shots
Firing step to allow men to fire at the enemy
Barbed wire to prevent infantry attacks
What were fire trenches?
Trenches on the front line that men would shoot from
How were the trenches organised?
The fire trench would be used to shoot from.
The supervision trench was behind the fire trench and was used to move along.
Communication trenches connected the trenches to each other, local roads and army depots
The reserve trench was 350-550 metres behind the front line. It was made up of dugouts and held reinforcements.
Support trenches were 60-90 metres behind the front trench so men could retreat if needed. It also reinforced the front line
Why were trenches in a zig zag sections?
To prevent enemy infantry shooting down lines and contain explosions
What was the chain of evacuation?
A way of getting men medical attention fast. Included:
RAP
Advanced Dressing Station
Main Dressing Station
Casualty Clearing Station
Base Hospital
Home to Britain
What was the RAP
They would give first aid to men on the frontline and would be set up a few metres behind the frontline line.
What was the advanced and main dressing station?
