Why were trenches zig zagged?
Trenches were usually dug in a zig-zag pattern rather than a straight line; this prevented gunfire or shrapnel from being projected along the length of a trench, if a shell or enemy soldier ever landed inside.
Why was trench warfare so horrible?
Life in the trenches was very difficult because they were dirty and flooded in bad weather. Many of the trenches also had pests living in them, including rats, lice, and frogs. Cold weather was dangerous too, and soldiers often lost fingers or toes to frostbite. Some soldiers also died from exposure in the cold.
What was the worst part of trench life?
Trench life involved long periods of boredom mixed with brief periods of terror. The threat of death kept soldiers constantly on edge, while poor living conditions and a lack of sleep wore away at their health and stamina.
What was the morning hate?
Stand To and the Morning Hate Accompanying stand to, as the light grew, was the daily ritual often termed the ‘morning hate’. Both sides would often relieve the tension of the early hours with machine gun fire, shelling and small arms fire, directed into the mist to their front: this made doubly sure of safety at dawn.
What was the space between the trenches called?
The area between the trench lines, known as ‘no man’s land’, was the key ground, especially at night, for fierce combat between opposing front line troops, as patrols were sent out to gather information about their enemy’s defences.
Are WW1 trenches still there?
Trench Remains There are a small number of places where sections of trench lines can still be visited. Nevertheless, there are still remains of trenches to be found in remote parts of the battlefields such as the woods of the Argonne, Verdun and the mountains of the Vosges.
What ended trench warfare?
The Allies’ increased use of the tank in 1918 marked the beginning of the end of trench warfare, however, since the tank was invulnerable to the machine gun and rifle fire that were the trenches’ ultimate defense. American soldiers throwing hand grenades toward Austrian trenches during World War I, September 1918.
How did soldiers deal with rats in the trenches?
The rats grew bigger and bolder and would even steal food from a soldier’s hand. But for some soldiers the rats became their friends. They captured them and kept them as pets, bringing a brief reprisal from the horror which lay all around.
What is Morning hate in the trenches?
THE MORNING HATE This was when soldiers would fix their bayonets and take up vigilant positions on the steps of the trenches, preparing for any devastating onslaught that might be coming their way.
Why are BRITs called Tommies?
Tommy Atkins (often just Tommy) is slang for a common soldier in the British Army. German soldiers would call out to “Tommy” across no man’s land if they wished to speak to a British soldier. French and Commonwealth troops would also call British soldiers “Tommies”.
Why was the zig zag pattern used in World War 2?
In case the trench was taken, the enemy would only control a small section, and to prevent more damage from artillery. The zig zag pattern was to prevent anyone from firing straight down the trench line and causing massive casuaties. Thank you for asking my views on this, Marlene.
Why were trenches built in a zig-zag design?
Most of the trenches had zigzag patterns so that if an enemy soldier somehow made it into their trench he couldn’t fire straight down the line. Why were ww1 trenches built in a zigzag design? they were built like that so the enemies wont have to fire in a straight line and if it was a zig zag they have to shoot every corner as well as the path
Which is better a straight line or a zig zag line?
A zig-zag line of trenches was harder for the enemy to overrun than a straight line. (With the latter, it’s easier to concentrate your forces at a single point and burst through.)
Why do you use a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine?
The zigzag control on the sewing machine allows you to make a zigzag stitch. It allows you to control both the length and width of a zigzag stitch, which looks like a bunch of “Z”‘s in a row. What kind of cat has a zigzag tail?
Is it safe to run in a zig zag pattern?
Running in a zig-zag pattern tends to make hits less serious. Zig-zag running may not be recommended for people with weak knees or ankles or people carrying a lot of extra weight – either from extreme obesity or heavy packs and armor. Don’t run in a crouched position either straight or in a zig-zag pattern while in the open.
In case the trench was taken, the enemy would only control a small section, and to prevent more damage from artillery. The zig zag pattern was to prevent anyone from firing straight down the trench line and causing massive casuaties. Thank you for asking my views on this, Marlene.
A zig-zag line of trenches was harder for the enemy to overrun than a straight line. (With the latter, it’s easier to concentrate your forces at a single point and burst through.)
Why were trenches dug in a zig-zag pattern?
The answer, of course, was the development of other more sophisticated killing machines, from the fragile biplane and lumbering tank to the battleship and submarine that so characterised the conduct of the next war. The zig zag pattern made it much easier to defend the trench if the enemy got into them.