YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE TRENCHES LIFE IN THE TRENCHES Q&A
Q: What exactly is a trench?
A: Trenches are defensive structures that have been used in conflicts right up to the present day, but they are perhaps most commonly associated with combat during World War I.
In its simplest form, the classic British trench used during the 1914–18 war was about six feet deep and three-and-ahalf feet wide. It had a fire step, which was about 18 x 18 inches, where soldiers could stand and shoot at the enemy. In front of the trench there was a parapet, which was about three feet tall and six feet deep, to protect soldiers from bullets. Behind the trench, there was a similar structure called a parados.
Trenches could also have an A-frame, with wood and chicken wire riveting to prevent collapse. However, it's important to note that trenches varied in design and structure depending on the location and circumstances. Some were just ditches, while others were concreted. But their main purpose was to
