Trench conditions in the First World War (AQA GCSE History)

Trench conditions in the First World War - Summary

Life in the trenches during the First World War was extremely harsh. Soldiers endured constant threats from enemy fire, disease, and terrible living conditions. The trenches were often cold, muddy, and overcrowded, with rats and lice spreading diseases like trench foot and trench fever. Poor hygiene made staying clean difficult, and food and water were basic, often lacking in both quality and quantity. Despite these hardships, soldiers worked to repair the trenches, stood guard, and found ways to pass the time, such as writing letters or playing cards.

As the war progressed, armies became more experienced in managing trench conditions. Efforts were made to improve sanitation and provide better care for soldiers’ health. Regular inspections were introduced to ensure trenches were maintained, and soldiers were fit for duty. While life in the trenches remained harsh, these changes helped to reduce some of the worst conditions, making the war effort more sustainable for those on the front lines.

Life in the trenches

• It is a common misconception that soldiers fought all day every day

  • Life in the trenches was often difficult and boring

• A soldier's life in the trench differed from day to day, and also from place to place

  • In some places along the Western Front, soldiers fought regularly, whereas in other places fighting was less common

• Every day soldiers had to manage the continuous threats to their lives such as:

  • enemy fire or attack

  • the weather

  • rats

  • lack of food

  • disease

  • mental health

  • boredom

    • A lack of structure and too much free time caused soldiers to take unnecessary risks which sometimes caused injuries or deaths

Living conditions in the trenches

• The living conditions in the trenches were poor

• Most soldiers found keeping clean difficult

  • The mud and lice made soldiers' lives difficult

• Rats lived in the trenches

  • They stole food and spread diseases in the trenches

• Mud in the trenches created many problems for the soldiers

  • In some places, mud was waist-deep

    • Soldiers could drown in the mud, as seen at the Battle of Passchendaele

  • The mud could clog rifles

  • Mud contributed to diseases such as trench foot and cholera

The routine of a soldier in the trenches

• A soldier would typically serve four days in a frontline trench

  • This was then followed by four days in a support trench and eight days in the reserve trenches

  • Soldiers would spend the remainder of their time behind the lines

    • This would often be in a local town

• Soldiers in the trenches were up before dawn

  • This was known as 'stand to'

  • Soldiers were on high alert at this time of day with their guns loaded and prepared for an enemy attack

• When soldiers were on the front lines but not fighting, they had duties that they rotated, including:

  • guard duty

  • trench repairs

  • the collection of:

    • food

    • water

    • ammunition

    • letters

    • first aid supplies

Diseases and mental health in the trenches

• Diseases were common in the trenches

  • Trench conditions helped to spread and create diseases in the trenches, such as:

    • mud

    • rats

    • the extreme cold and hot weather

    • poor personal hygiene

• Many soldiers suffered from a variety of diseases and illnesses

  • Trench foot

    • A disease caused by the waterlogged trenches of the First World War

    • Trench foot could become gangrenous and soldiers would have to have their feet amputated

  • Trench fever

    • A disease spread by body lice

  • Influenza

    • Known as the flu

• Shell shock, today known as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), was common in the trenches

  • Shell shock was caused by:

    • the constant fear of death

    • loud shelling

    • experiencing the loss of fellow soldiers

    • traumatising events of the front lines

• At the start of the First World War, people did not know what shell shock was

  • Trench warfare was new

  • Mental illness was not a known or recognised illness at this time

• In the British army, 306 men were shot at dawn for believed cowardice and desertion

  • It was not recognised as a mental health condition until 1915 when the Army Council classed it as a 'wound'

Food in the trenches

• Soldiers had a basic diet in the trenches which usually consisted of:

  • stew

  • bread

  • biscuits

  • vegetables

  • jam

• Water was transported to the front lines

  • Soldiers were given a daily ration

  • Water was purified with chemicals, which made the water taste bad

    • Soldiers often drank tea to hide the bad taste

• Soldiers were given rum in the cold weather

  • German soldiers drank beer and brandy

Entertainment in the trenches

• When they were not completing duties, soldiers could:

  • rest

  • draw

  • write letters home

    • Letters sent home by the soldiers were read and censored to protect army secrets and morale

  • read

  • play games

  • cook

• Life in the trenches was stressful, soldiers dealt with this stress differently. Some would:

  • create songs

  • told jokes

  • drew pictures and cartoons

• The Wipers Times was a popular newspaper published by British soldiers during the First World War

  • This was an unofficial newspaper

  • It was made by soldiers for soldiers

  • The newspaper contained funny stories and cartoons

  • Writers carefully criticised senior commanders