German Trenches The Allied forces would advance into ground that the Germans felt was difficult to defend and had cleared. The specially constructed German trenches could have been built with concrete and have had electricity, telephone lines and relatively roomy accomodation.
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What were the German trenches like in ww1?
Trenches were long, narrow ditches dug into the ground where soldiers lived. They were very muddy, uncomfortable and the toilets overflowed. These conditions caused some soldiers to develop a problem called trench foot. There were many lines of German trenches on one side and many lines of Allied trenches on the other.
Why did Germany have better trenches?
Differences Between German and British Trenches:
Main difference between the two trenches was that the Germans dug their trenches first, which meant they got the better soil conditions because they dug their trenches on higher ground compared to the British trenches. The Allies used four “types” of trenches.
Was there light in the trenches?
Anyway, candles and lanterns would normally be used. In the dugouts, it was unlikely that an enemy soldier would see any light, but when soldiers were out on patrol or watch, they had to very careful with any lighting they used.
Did Germany use trenches in ww1?
The Germans soon became known for effectively mounting nighttime incursions behind enemy lines, by sending highly trained soldiers to attack the trenches of opposing forces at what they perceived as weak points.
How deep was a German trench?
14 miles
By 1918 the Germans had constructed some trench systems that had a depth of 14 miles (22 km).
What did the trenches smell like?
The stink of war
Then there was the smell. Stinking mud mingled with rotting corpses, lingering gas, open latrines, wet clothes and unwashed bodies to produce an overpowering stench. The main latrines were located behind the lines, but front-line soldiers had to dig small waste pits in their own trenches.
Why were there no trenches in ww2?
In summary: The ability of radio-coordinated mechanized forces to maneuver in concert was what made trench-warfare untenable for most World War II fronts. These mechanized forces existed at the end of a long supply line, capable of operating at far greater distances and far greater speeds than previously possible.
What killed soldiers more than direct fire in the trenches?
Injuries. The main killer in the trenches was artillery fire; around 75 percent of known casualties. Even if a soldier was not hit directly by the artillery, shell fragments and debris had a high chance of wounding those in close proximity to the blast.
What did they eat in the trenches?
The ‘trench ration’ was designed to feed a certain number of soldiers. It was used when the food prepared in the field kitchens could be delivered. It included corned beef, sardines, salmon, coffee, salt, sugar and even cigarettes. The ’emergency ration’ included highly caloric aliments, such as chocolate.
Did the trenches of ww1 have electricity?
As troops on both sides of the war dug in, communication lines were run along trenches to allow commanders to plan and give coordinates for attacks. Since bunkers in the trenches weren’t friendly to gas lights, electrical wires were added to provide lighting for commanders and their war plans.
How much sleep did ww1 soldiers get?
Daily life. Most activity in front line trenches took place at night under cover of darkness. During daytime soldiers would try to get some rest, but were usually only able to sleep for a few hours at a time.
Did they have electricity during ww1?
During the First World War, (WWI) communication technology was changing very quickly. For the first time, much of the world was using electricity, and this new source of power was utilized for communication in the form of telegraphs, telephones, signal lamps, and radio.
Did Germany have better trenches?
German Trenches
After their initial successes and territorial gains in early 1914, the Germans took a much more defensive stature than the Allied forces did. Consequently, German trench systems would tend to be far more sophisticated and well-equipped than their Allied equivalent trenches.
Does shell shock still exist?
The term shell shock is still used by the United States’ Department of Veterans Affairs to describe certain parts of PTSD, but mostly it has entered into memory, and it is often identified as the signature injury of the War.
Why are the trenches so disgusting?
Conditions in the Trenches
They were actually quite disgusting. There were all sorts of pests living in the trenches including rats, lice, and frogs. The rats were everywhere and got into the soldiers’ food and ate just about everything, including sleeping soldiers. The lice were also a major problem.
Why weren’t trenches dug in straight lines?
All the trenches were dug in a zig-zag pattern so the enemy couldn’t shoot straight down the line and kill many soldiers. If a mortar, grenade or artillery shell would land in the trench, it would only get the soldiers in that section, not further down the line.
Where is No Man’s 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 distance in most sectors was about 250 yards (230 metres).
Why was ww1 so brutal?
The loss of life was greater than in any previous war in history, in part because militaries were using new technologies, including tanks, airplanes, submarines, machine guns, modern artillery, flamethrowers, and poison gas.
How did soldiers go to the toilet in ww2?
Cat holes
Well, the military adapted that idea when it comes to human waste disposal and created what are known, aptly, as “cat holes.” According to field manuals, proper cat holes are 12-inches long, 12-inches wide, and 12-inches deep.
How did soldiers go to the toilet in ww1?
These latrines were trench toilets. They were usually pits dug into the ground between 1.2 metres and 1.5 metres deep. Two people who were called sanitary personnel had the job of keeping the latrines in good condition for each company.