Elements of Trench Warfare

The company commander will then make his tactical dispositions. In occupying the trenches a certain section of the line is assigned to each company. This section contains so man...

The use of hand grenades as an implement of warfare dates back many centuries. History records their use as far back as 1536. Up to the close of the eighteenth century soldiers...

The first phase of the attack is the artillery preparation. In order that the infantry may make the attack with a minimum of losses, the artillery must have destroyed the wire e...

The next element of the defensive position is the _first line fire trenches_. These are located so as to have a good field of fire to the front for several hundred yards and so...

A _revetment_ is a covering or facing placed upon an earth slope to enable it to stand at an inclination greater than it would naturally assume. Some revetments also increase th...

1. Be close to the defender’s position. As a rule on the western front they are not more than from 50 to 100 yards distant. If they are too close it may be possible to throw han...

Germany first made use of poisonous and asphyxiating gases on the field of battle. It has become an accepted element in the present war. Every soldier should, therefore, have a...

The infantryman will always be called upon to construct the trench which he is to occupy. Each company is provided with portable tools, which the men carry, and each infantry re...

(_a_) The protection is sometimes so excellent that, morally as well as materially, it becomes difficult to leave the shelter. Example: quarries with obstructed exits. Therefore...

Except when the garrison are actually required to man the parapet, they will be kept under cover, with the exception of a few lookouts, whose duty it is to give timely warning o...

2. Close up to the wire entanglements there is an intrenched post known as the “listening post,” which is connected with the first line fire trench by a zigzag communicating tre...

This little book has been prepared with a view to placing before the soldier a store of information on the subject of Trench Warfare as it has been developed on the battle front...

Inspection of trenches. Tactical dispositions. Going into the trenches. Information routine. Observation field glasses. Snipers. What to fire at. Use of rifle grenades. Scouting...