What Is Trench Warfare ?
You may have heard of trench warfare, which was used extensively during the First World War. However, you may not know what is trench warfare. So, here is a brief explanation on trench warfare and how it was used during the First World War. |
Trench warfare is a kind of defensive strategy which involves digging emplacements and occupying them, so that the enemy troops cannot take over the territory. This kind of warfare results in a war of attrition where a stalemate results since both sides do not allow one another to gain advantage. In addition, it leads to high number of casualties and wounded soldiers.
There were many reasons for the development of trench warfare. First, firepower improvements did not make it logical to allow a full frontal attack. The weapons developed during the First World War were more accurate and lethal compared to the weapons used previously. Hence, a frontal attack would lead to the soldiers dying. As a result a more defensive strategy was required. This led to digging of trenches. In addition, the supply network also improved, and this allowed the soldiers to stay entrenched for longer periods of time. All supplies and reinforcements could be delivered to the trenches with the help of trucks or trains that could approach the trenches from the rear.
The trenches used to be fortified with barbed wires on the outside and elevated soil parapets. In addition, sandbags were placed to give added protection from artillery barrage. In some places, the walls were fortified with sandbags or cement. Once the soldiers moved into a trench, it was very difficult to dislodge them as reinforcements used to be brought from the rear.
The open vacant land between enemy trenches was known as No Man's Land. This was the land on which charges were done. However, since there was no protection for the charging soldiers, they were vulnerable and could be easily shot.
Life in the trenches was not easy. The dead soldiers were buried in the floor and walls of the trenches and this would cause an overpowering odor. In addition, the soldiers could not bathe or use latrines. Hence, there was an additional stench of feces and unwashed bodies. The food supplied to the soldiers in the front lines was not very good, and the soldiers were prone to infections, which killed a lot of soldiers, and lice. It was very stressful for the soldiers living in trenches as they were constantly under a barrage of artillery fire and this prevented them from sticking their heads out. Unfortunately, this led to many psychological problems among the soldiers and many were executed by firing squads for desertion and cowardice.
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Trench warfare started as a defensive measure that the troops were forced to take due to the effectiveness of artillery, in particular the machine gun. While the battles were raging, troops had no cover and the only alternative for them was to dig trenches. This was meant to be a short term solution which ended up being a long term horrifying experience. While trench warfare was going on for a long time, right from the American Civil to the First World War, it had its disadvantages. 