Trench Warfare: World War I

Trench warfare- World War I- Ahmad Mawas 9B

The First World War began on the 28th of July 1914 and lasted until the 11th of November 1918. In these four years alone, almost ten million people died and millions more were wounded both physically and mentally. Machine guns, tanks, planes and many more machinery were used in this war. The soldiers would even go across an open field where machines guns were placed and get slaughtered in the process. To avoid a greater amount of casualties, the tactic, trench warfare, was implemented. Trench warfare is a form of military combat in which both the opposing troops and the defending troops are hidden within trenches. This proved to be a successful method in World War I and was used by both The Alliances (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Britain and Russia).

Trench warfare greatly benefited both The Allies and The Triple Entente. This tactic significantly protected troops from small arms fire and artillery. Weapons, such as mustard gas, were soon invented in order to damage the troops

It was estimated that there were around 2,500 km of trench lines during the war. These trench lines spanned in different areas in Europe, the largest and most known trench line is in the Western Front (France). The weather was terrible during the war. People soon developed diseases, such as Trench Fever, due to environmental changes. The ground was often muddy, crowded and wet due to this cuts resulted in infections and diseases. The trenches was also crowded with lice and rats, contributing to the spread of diseases in World War I. Although the trenches had many negative effects, it also had some positive factors. Due to the location of the trenches (underground) and its zigzag pattern, the troops located in the trenches were safer from artillery fire and from bombs. Its zigzag pattern also helped poisonous gas travel away from the