1. Era of the Great War
Life in the trenches

2. In today’s class I am learning to:
Life in the trenches
In today’s class I am learning to:
Describe the structure of trenches on the Western Front
Explain why life in the trenches was very difficult for soldiers

3. Life in the trenches
The Great War was known for being a ‘trench war’; hundreds of miles of trenches divided Europe, going from Switzerland to the North Sea.

4. Trenches were built by both sides during the Great War.
Life in the trenches
Trenches were built by both sides during the Great War.
The purpose of a trench was to provide protection for an army’s soldiers, and build defences which made it impossible for the enemy to advance.

5. Trenches could be around seven feet deep, and up to six feet across.
Life in the trenches
Trenches could be around seven feet deep, and up to six feet across.
The trench system was very complex; the frontline trench would face the enemy (divided by No Man’s Land), and other trenches led off to different sections.

6. Life in the trenches
Other trenches included sections where soldiers could rest, or get first aid if required.
Trenches were not built in a straight line; this stopped the enemy getting into your trench and then simply firing right along.

7. Trenches had various defences.
Life in the trenches
Trenches had various defences.
Machine gun towers were built, and barbed wire was placed along the front. Sand bags were also to provide some cover. In addition mines would be placed in No Man’s Land.

8. Life in the trenches
Duckboards were placed on the ground to try and protect soldiers’ from water and mud.
An ammunition shelf was used to keep weapons, and a fire step allowed soldiers to look over the parapet (top of the trench) and fire.

9. Life in the trenches

10. Life in the trenches
Soldiers in the trenches were usually at the frontline for up to two weeks at a time.
During that time they had to listen to the sounds of war, and live with the fear that they might be killed or badly injured.

11. Being in the trenches meant soldiers had to engage in fighting.
Life in the trenches
Being in the trenches meant soldiers had to engage in fighting.
They might have to go ‘over the top’ (into No Man’s Land) where they could end up engaging in hand-to-hand fighting, or faced the possibility of being shot.

12. Life was very unpleasant in the trenches.
Life in the trenches
Life was very unpleasant in the trenches.
Water was a huge problem; it would flood the trenches and leave soldiers’ continually wet. Wet feet could lead to trench foot, resulting in gangrene or even amputation.

13. Diseases were common, partly due to limited opportunities to wash.
Life in the trenches
Diseases were common, partly due to limited opportunities to wash.
Latrines (toilets) often overflowed, spreading bacteria. In addition dead bodies in No Man’s Land would rot, attracting pests and also creating a terrible smell.

14. Life in the trenches
Soldiers found trench life to be very boring; they often had to go through the exact same routines each day.
Some soldiers tried to relieve their boredom by trying to kill rats using their bayonets or even shooting them.

15. Lice and rats created trench problems.
Life in the trenches
Lice and rats created trench problems.
Lice bit soldiers and made them itchy; fleas spread diseases. Rats would steal soldiers’ food, or even bite them. In addition rats also often ate the bodies of dead soldiers.

16. Life in the trenches
Food and water was limited in the trenches. Soldiers tended to eat bread and hard biscuits, often with jam or some ‘bully beef’.
Water was brought to the frontline in petrol cans, leaving a taste of petrol.

17. Some soldiers in the trenches suffered from shell shock.
Life in the trenches
Some soldiers in the trenches suffered from shell shock.
This was a mental illness caused by exposure to explosions and other loud sounds. It often led men to desert, leading to punishment including being shot.