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Life in the Trenches
The First World War was
the first major conflict that made use of what we would consider
to be 'modern' weapons. No longer were the Cavalry and the sword
the most potent weapons on the battlefield. It was now a case
of the machine gun and a gas cannister taking control of the
battle.
Trenches came about as a
result of the German General Erich
von Falkenhayn ordered his men to dig in to stop the Allies
from advancing any further. Unable to break through this line
of german defence the british and French had little option but
to defend themselves by digging trenches themselves: otherwise
the Germans would have been able to counter attack with ease.
Trenches were not nice places
to live and fight in. They were often waterlogged, and had little
if any comforts such as heating and toilets. Much of the time
the trenches were as little as 40 metres away from the enemy
and the method of attack was to 'go over the top' of the trench
and charge at the opposing trench. Millions died as machine
guns cut through most soldiers well before they reached the
trenches.
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