by Ian Loft

Created on: July 28, 2008

Since the dawn of civilization humans have made war on each other during which unimaginable atrocities and cruelty exhibited some of the worse aspects known of human nature. From the industrial revolution in the late 18th century warfare evolved rapidly as technology began developing new and more efficient means for killing greater numbers at a faster rate. The first of two major global conflicts during the 20th century began in 1914 and was considered at it's conclusion as the war to end all wars, alas as history tells us - nothing could be further from the truth.

World War 1 heralded a new age of modern warfare featuring the first use of air power while the most technologically advanced navies of the era battled on high seas. Soldiers engaged in protracted battles on the ground holding positions by means of an extensive system of trenches and bunkers to protect against ceaseless barrages from artillery, ship-to-shore barrages, mortar shells, machine gun and small arms fire. It was a living hell on earth for the unfortunate men struggling to survive against all odds where the chances of returning to home soil were often remote indeed.

Mud rain and snow fell indiscriminately which turned trenches into freezing muddy holes in which there was little or no shelter from the elements and a significant danger of being buried alive as walls, bunkers and earth mounds collapsed without warning. Days upon days of living in knee-deep water left nowhere dry to sleep while foot rot, disease and infection ran wild through troops in all armies. Cholera, dysentery, typhoid and tetanus were as ruthlessly effective in killing because sanitation became impossible under these conditions. Poor nutrition contributed by lowering resistance to disease while the long stalemates dragged on.

Attacks both sides in trench warfare concocted ingenious methods of raiding enemy trenches that met with mixed results yet contributed to the hellish existence characterizing this form of warfare. Soldiers attempted tunnelling through until close to or under enemy trenches where they detonated high explosives in the hope of destroying men, ammunition and equipment. There was no defence against these raids yet it was equally as dangerous to the raiders having to survive the odds of tunnel collapses, being detected or worse meeting the enemy attempting the same tactic.

Gas innovative, inhumane and deadly this became one of the most feared of all attacks in trench warfare. Blistering agents like the mustard

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>