This
set of notes on trench design can be found amongst the papers of W D
Lowe, Lieutenant Colonel of the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry,
who fought in the First World War. Read it carefully to see what it
tells you about the theory of trench warfare. A transcript
and enlarged version are
available.
1. Make
a note of all the key features of the following:
Firing
line trenches
Support trenches
Shelters
Communication trenches
Keeps
2. The
source says that these notes ar not to be departed from. How strictly
do you think they were followed?
3. If you
were in charge of building trenches which features would you make sure
were included? Why?
4. Do you
think the trenches described in this document would have been easy or
difficult to attack? Explain your answer. What impact might this have
had on fighting in the First World War?
5. What
does this source tell you about trench warfare?
Finished?
Find out more about trench design by looking at some examples of trench
design.
