16.3.2

Trench Warfare

Test yourself

Trench Warfare - Strong Defence and Poor Offence

Trench warfare led to very strong defences, but poor options for attacks.

Illustrative background for Strong military defencesIllustrative background for Strong military defences ?? "content

Strong military defences

  • In trench warfare, soldiers essentially sheltered in their trenches, using machine guns and rifles to shoot any advancing soldiers.
  • Barbed wire was laid out in front of trenches and put in No Man’s Land (the area between the two sides’ trenches) to create traps.
  • A soldier going “over the top” would leave their side’s trenches and travel across No Man’s Land towards the enemy.
Illustrative background for Weak attacksIllustrative background for Weak attacks ?? "content

Weak attacks

  • During an attack, the enemy would fire machine guns and shells at the soldiers. Many were shot in seconds.
  • Barbed wire protected the trenches. Barbed wire was also used to force the enemy down particular paths into 'kill zones'.
    • These zones were covered by machine guns or artillery.
Illustrative background for Increasing stalemateIllustrative background for Increasing stalemate ?? "content

Increasing stalemate

  • It was very hard to make advances and win territory in this trench warfare.
  • Because it was so hard to gain ground, it became a war of attrition, where each side tried to exhaust (run down) the enemy’s resources.
Illustrative background for Inadequate offensive weaponsIllustrative background for Inadequate offensive weapons ?? "content

Inadequate offensive weapons

  • Artillery guns, tanks and aircraft (planes) were not particularly effective at this time.
  • Tanks were useless in some conditions.
    • For example, the mud was so thick at the Battle of Passchendaele that they could not be used.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium