archive/player.asp?catID=2&subCatID=3&filmID=14 Starter What is the soldier describing?

Learning Objectives Be able to identify at least three features of a trench (All) Be able to explain the meaning of ‘trench warfare’ (Some) Be able to use sources to form impressions of conditions in No-man’s land (Most)

On the 3rd August 1914, the German army invaded Belgium. After just two weeks of fighting, the Belgian army was defeated. The German army now headed for France. However, by September 1914, fighting against the French and British armies, the Germans had advanced very little in to France. German generals were keen to see that they did not retreat or surrender any of the land they’d already gained. Therefore, preparing to face advancing British and French armies, an order was given to soldiers to dig these:

Why do you think they were dug?

The Allies soon realised that they could not break through the German defences and they also began to dig trenches. After a few months these trenches had spread from the North Sea to the Swiss Frontier. For the next three years neither side advanced more than a few miles along this line that became known as the Western Front.

:Whilst World War One was not the first war that had used the trench system – this was the first time it was used on such a huge scale. The trenches became a symbol of the brutality of early 20 th century warfare. During this lesson, you will be gathering information to help answer the question:

Key Question What is trench warfare?

Task Using the cards, you should try to identify the features of a front line, First World War trench. Match up the descriptions to the images. Using the information from the cards, in your own words you should begin labelling the diagram provided – including as much detail as possible.

The Battlefield British Frontline Trench German Frontline Trench No Mans Land Why would this area be called ‘No Man’s Land’?

The Battlefield British Frontline Trench German Frontline Trench No Mans Land No Man's Land is the term used by soldiers to describe the ground between the two opposing trenches. Its width along the Western Front could vary a great deal. The average width between opposing trenches across the Western Front was around 200 metres (two football pitches), however, in Zonnebeke, Belgium, the distance was just 6 metres!

: What were the conditions like in No Man’s Land?

Task From the sources provided, what impression do you get of No Man’s Land? Write a paragraph in your book. Core: Using as imaginative words as possible describe what you can see. Harder: What is your opinion of No-Man’s Land? What within the source led you to your conclusion?

Sentence Starters Core: After analysing the sources, I have found out that the conditions in No-Man’s Land are.. Harder: After analysing the sources, I believe that No-Man’s Land is… I can tell this because…

Plenary What is trench warfare? In pairs you should create a definition for ‘trench warfare’.