Life in the Trenches during WWI

Overview of Trenches

• Trenches were excavated stretches of ground for protection against machine guns, rifle fire, and artillery.
• From late 1914, trenches expanded over 400 miles from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border.
• By 1917, trenches became complex systems with multiple lines and facilities.
  • Front Line: Primary defense against enemies.
  • Support Line: To counterattack if the front line was captured.
  • Reserve Line: Further backup.

German vs. Allied Trenches

• German Trenches: Built for defense with deep, well-constructed designs.
• Allied Trenches: Viewed as temporary, to be relocated after advances.

Typical British Trench

• Located at the Somme in early 1916.
• No man's land: Approximately 250 meters wide.
• Built in zigzag patterns to minimize damage from direct attacks.
• Manned by as few as 10 men per 25-yard section.

Daily Routine in the Trenches

Morning Routine

• Stand-to Order: All men ready at dawn to defend against potential attacks.
• Rum Ration: Distributed each morning.
• Breakfast: Consisted of bacon, cheese, bread, corned beef, stews, biscuits, and jam.
• Personal Care: Washing and shaving were compulsory to prevent illness and ensure effective use of gas masks.

Daytime Activities

• Weapon Cleaning: Half the section cleaned weapons to maintain functionality.
• Inspection: Platoon sergeant checks troop, weapons, and trenches.
• Leisure Time: Writing, chatting, or resting.
• Lunch: Typically stew, with tea.
• Mail Delivery: Regular mail from family served as a morale booster.

Evening Routine

• Second Stand-to: At dusk, similar to morning's stand-to.
• Sentry Duty: Continuous rotation throughout the night.
• Supper: Often soup.

Nighttime Activities

• Trench Maintenance: Repairing parapets and sandbags.
• No Man's Land Tasks: Repairing barbed wire, risky due to potential enemy fire.
• Limited Sleep: Max 3 hours before sentry duty.

Trench Rotation

• Essential due to harsh living conditions.
• Typical cycle: 4 days front, 4 days support, 8 days reserve.
• Key Point: Courage in WWI trenches was seen as endurance over pure bravery.

Perception of War

• Soldiers described the war as mostly boring and harsh, with rare intense combat moments.
• A veteran summarized life as "90% bored stiff, 9% frozen stiff, and 1% sick."