Trench WarfareTrench Warfare

What the propaganda What the propaganda posters showed was far from posters showed was far from the reality of trench warfare the reality of trench warfare

The reality of trench The reality of trench warfarewarfare

Cross section of a fire trench Cross section of a fire trench

Primary sourcePrimary source

regarding the regarding the

orders for orders for

standing watchesstanding watches

and other and other

duties induties in

trenchestrenches

A fire trench viewed from no manA fire trench viewed from no man’’s land s land

Aerial view of a Aerial view of a

Trench network. Trench network.

The spots are The spots are

artillery hits.artillery hits.

Note the 3 line Note the 3 line

system: Front linesystem: Front line

trench, support trench, support

trench, and reservetrench, and reserve

trenchtrench

Another view of the trench setup Another view of the trench setup includes observation posts and dummy includes observation posts and dummy

trenchestrenches

Antibiotics had not yet been Antibiotics had not yet been discovered and medical practices discovered and medical practices were still antiquated so the filthy were still antiquated so the filthy conditions of the trench greatly conditions of the trench greatly increased the chances that increased the chances that wounds would become infected. wounds would become infected. Many soldiers receiving minor Many soldiers receiving minor wounds to arms or legs died, not wounds to arms or legs died, not from the wound, but from from the wound, but from infection. Only 1 in 100 wounded infection. Only 1 in 100 wounded in the abdomen survived.in the abdomen survived.

““Trench warfare created a living Trench warfare created a living environment for the men that was environment for the men that was harsh, stagnant and extremely harsh, stagnant and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical into large-scale problems for medical personnel. Apart from the inescapable personnel. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France, cold during the winters in France, trenches were often completely trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats.with lice and rats.””www.awm.gov.au/1918/trenchwarfarewww.awm.gov.au/1918/trenchwarfare

The ImmortalsThe ImmortalsI killed them, but they would not die.I killed them, but they would not die.Yea! all the day and all the nightYea! all the day and all the nightFor them I could not rest nor sleep,For them I could not rest nor sleep,Nor guard from them nor hide in flight.Nor guard from them nor hide in flight.

Then in my agony I turnedThen in my agony I turnedAnd made my hands red in gore.And made my hands red in gore.In vain - for faster than I slewIn vain - for faster than I slewThey rose more cruel than before.They rose more cruel than before.

I killed and killed with slaughter mad;I killed and killed with slaughter mad;I killed till all my strength was gone.I killed till all my strength was gone.And still they rose to torture me,And still they rose to torture me,For Devils only die in fun.For Devils only die in fun.

I used to think the Devil hidI used to think the Devil hidIn women's smiles and wine's carouse.In women's smiles and wine's carouse.I called him Satan, Balzebub.I called him Satan, Balzebub.But now I call him, dirty louse.But now I call him, dirty louse.

Isaac Rosenberg, 1917Isaac Rosenberg, 1917

““As in many other wars, World War I's As in many other wars, World War I's greatest killer was disease. Sanitary greatest killer was disease. Sanitary conditions in the trenches were quite conditions in the trenches were quite poor, and common infections included poor, and common infections included dysentery, typhus, and cholera. Many dysentery, typhus, and cholera. Many soldiers suffered from parasites and soldiers suffered from parasites and related infections. Poor hygiene also related infections. Poor hygiene also led to conditions such as trench mouth led to conditions such as trench mouth and trench foot. Another common and trench foot. Another common killer was exposure, since the killer was exposure, since the temperature within a trench in the temperature within a trench in the winter could easily fall below zero winter could easily fall below zero degrees Celsius. (32 F)”degrees Celsius. (32 F)”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trench_warfarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trench_warfare

A case of trench foot: These A case of trench foot: These feet were beyond savingfeet were beyond saving

Victims of WWIVictims of WWI

Analysis of Trench Analysis of Trench WarfareWarfare

1.1. Why might 'futile' be a good Why might 'futile' be a good description of trench warfare?description of trench warfare?

2.2. Beside the danger of being shot Beside the danger of being shot or hit by artillery fire what or hit by artillery fire what other problems did the soldiers other problems did the soldiers face in the trenches?face in the trenches?

3.3. By the beginning of WWII By the beginning of WWII trench warfare was no longer trench warfare was no longer used. Why do you think this used. Why do you think this happened?happened?