Lesson Idea: Let's have a look at trenches

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Let's have a look at...

trenches

Western front

1914-1918

Sandbags were filled with earth and mud to protect the soldiers.

In the beginning of the war the rations were still reasonable, but as the war lasted longer, there was less and less (good) food.

When the soldiers didn't have to fight, they played with cards, for example.

In addition to the enemy, the soldiers suffered greatly from vermin such as rats and fleas. Some soldiers spent the time between battles killing rats.

Not only did the dogs keep the soldiers company, they also delivered groceries between the trenches.

Soldiers could often only sleep during the day, because the night was a good time to spy on the trenches of the enemies. 

With a periscope, the soldiers were able to see the enemy without taking great risks. A periscope works with mirrors.

Thousands of letters and diaries of soldiers from the First World War have been preserved. These are important and valuable sources today.

For the safety of the soldiers, the trenches weren't shaped in straight lines. THey had corners.

Between the North Sea and the Swiss border (Westfront) 40,000 km of trenches were constructed.

The area between the trenches has changed completely in four years. A no-man's-land is created.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/0/ww1/

360˚ video of the trenches in World War 1

During the video you can look in all directions! Give it a try!

Being on guard was one of the most important tasks you could get. There were very severe penalties for falling asleep during guard duty.

Besides fighting and keeping watch, there were plenty of other annoying jobs in the trenches, such as refilling sand shops, repairing barbed wire or emptying the latrines (toilets).