The use of trenches was a major battle tactic in World War I and consisted of soldiers digging trenches, and attacking from there rather than being fully exposed on the battle field. There were different types of trenches: the front-line trench, support trench and reserve trench.
Soldiers in the front-line trench were constantly alert for enemy patrols and attacks. It was also the jumping-off point for attacks on the enemy.
As the name suggests, the support-trench held the back-up forces that could help repel an enemy attack or move quickly to the front to support a friendly attack.
Lastly, the reserve trench was even farther back, and was used to give soldiers a break from the front lines whilst still staying close enough to quickly return to combat. Behind them, was the larger artillery pieces, supply depots, etc.
Communication trenches ran between these main trenches to move soldiers and supplies from trench to trench without exposing themselves to the enemy.
Life in the trenches meant constant death. There were a number of factors that could lead to casualties. In busy sections, the constant shellfire from the enemy brought random death. Millions of rats infested the trenches, carrying contagious and deadly diseases as a result of spreading infections and contaminating food.
Lice were also a problem. The Lice caused Trench Fever, a painful disease that began suddenly with severe pain followed by high fever. Recovery took up to twelve weeks.
There were many more diseases that spread in the trenches such as Trench Foot, a fungal infection of the feet caused by cold, wet and unsanitary trench conditions. Amputation was the only solution.
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