Trenches in WWI

Mercedes Miller
October 3, 2014

Trenches were long narrow ditches dug into

the ground.

The first major trench lines were completed

in November 1914.

By the end of 1914, the trenches were 475

miles long. Starting at the North Sea,
running through Belgium and Northern
France, and ending in the Swiss Frontier.

Trenches were dug in zigzag formation so if the enemy

entered they could not fire straight down the line.

Heavy rainfall flooded the trenches and made impassable

muddy paths.

Because of the thick mud, soldiers often got stuck and

even drowned.

Many soldiers who were in the trenches developed

trench foot.

Trench foot is similar to frostbite and the men got it

from standing in the wet, muddy trenches without
removing their wet boots and socks.

As a result, many men had their toes, and in some cases

entire foot amputated.

Rats lived among the men in the trenches and fed upon
the remains of the dead.

The soldiers would shoot the rats out of frustration, but

the rats continued to multiply.

Vermin plagued the soldiers with head and body lice,

scabies and mites, and a swarm of flies.

Sources
http://warhorseandworldwar1.weebly.com/make-a-book.html

http://history1900s.about.com/od/worldwari/a/Trenches-In-World-War-I.htm

http://longstreet.typepad.com/thesciencebookstore/2010/12/wwi-photographs-the-trenches-1916-1918.html
http://globerove.com/canada/world-war-one-canadian-soldiers-life-in-the-trenches/2772

http://tsaamericahistory.wikispaces.com/
http://crawler.dipity.com/jamieplaster/WWI-AB1/
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/dms/past/ww1/trenches.html
http://spartacus-educational.com/FWWfoot.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trench_foot
http://skincarebylouisa.com/skin-conditions/lice/body-lice/
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-scabies-overview