[neesh]

HIYA!
CAN YOU PLZ TELL METHE METHODS OF FIGHTING IN A TRENCH?

[Mr Thorpe]

The basics I suppose are to stand in it and fire at the enemy, every now and again get out and attack!!

When the Germans attacked in Belgium they quickly beat the armies defending the borders and managed to get into France very quickly. The British and French generals, uncertain about how to stop the German advance decided to ‘dig in’ and ordered the construction of Trenches to act as a barrier against the attack.

The soldiers dug a hole about a metre wide at the bottom and two metres deep. Boards were placed on the ground to act as drainage. On the side of the trench facing the enemy a ‘fire step’ was cut into the wall. This was for soldiers to shoot from. Sandbags were placed at the top of the trench. This would stop the trench caving in if a bomb went off nearby. It also provided more protection from bullets. In front of the trench Barbed wire was rolled out. This was to stop soldiers being able to charge at the trench.

More information Here

and here

and here

I hope this helps.

[neesh]

Thank you. Your information helped alot.

[Mr Thorpe]

You are most welcome.

[Mr. D. Bryant]

neesh, on Mar 27 2007, 10:08 AM, said:

CAN YOU PLZ TELL METHE METHODS OF FIGHTING IN A TRENCH?

In case anyone looks at this trying to find what fighting was like once soldiers actually got into an enemy trench...

Put simply, the method for clearing enemy trenches was to head down the trench with 'bombers' throwing hand grenades into the next section (or traverse). Riflemen would then run forward and bayonet or shoot anyone left unless they surrendered (and sometimes even if they did). Dugouts would have a grenade thrown down the stairs. The aim was to keep pushing on until the trench was completely cleared. Obviously, a well-organised enemy would be trying to stop the attackers using similar methods. So, fighting in trenches could be very bloody and a real close-quarters battle.

There is a vivid description of this process at the start of Richard Holmes' excellent book 'Tommy'. Some years ago I read a description of trench-clearing written by a British Sergeant during the Falklands War which was very similar. The latter took place in 1982 showing that some things don't change in warfare.

If you are looking for more detailed information on trench warfare, the Long Long Trail site is well worth a look. There is also lots about trench warfare in general on the Forum.

This post has been edited by Mr. D. Bryant: 19 December 2011 - 11:05 AM
Reason for edit: Added link.