WW1 Notes Based on yr12 N.S.W Syllabus

The Trenches:
*Were 4 feet deep with a built - up wall of sandbags to form a parapet at the front and a parado at the back. This added extra height, support for the trenches, and excess mud and dirt to be placed.
*Along the sides of trenches there were holes known as dugouts, there were created to allow space for soldiers to lie down. Some had rooms lined with boards, bunks and electric lighting.
*They had firing steps and elbow rests to ensure better shooting.
*Duckboards allowed soldiers to stand out of the mud in the bottom of the trenches.
*Towards no mans land, bared wire was stretched to slow down enemy attack. Unfortunately, this had to be taken down at nigh got their own attack, which eliminated the element of surprise.
*Were constructed in a zigzag pattern called 'firebays' or 'traverses' 5m's apart so that if the enemy got in shrapnel would hit walls not people, bullets would hit walls not people as well.
Life in the trenches
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