World War One (WW1) began in 1914 and ended in 1918. It was a turning point in world history. More than 15 million people died during WW1, many died during battles which were not won or lost, just ones that left people only dead and wounded. WW1 had involved troops in from around the world including Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania. Most of the fighting took place in Europe and the Middle East.
A trench is a long narrow ditch in the ground built as defence from the enemy in WW1.
Some stretched for miles, it made it nearly impossible for the other side to attack.
Most battles were fought at the Western front in France. The Western Front stretched in an ‘S’ shape from the English Channel through Belgium and eastern France to the
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Trenches were muddy and smelly, many of the dead bodies were buried nearby.
Toilets sometimes overflowed and went into the trenches.
Millions of rats infested the trenches some were as big as cats and lice spread within the soldiers.
Trench foot was one of the most common problems that the soldiers in the trenches faced. Trench foot was caused by exposure for a long period of time in wet, insanitary and cold conditions.
Some had really bad trench foot and would have to get their foot amputated. Over the winter of 1914-1915 more than 20,000 British troops were treated for trench foot.
The first 3 years of WW1 turned into a deadly stalemate because during the war it became clear to the soldiers that it was easier to defend than to attack. It was simpler and safer to stay put. Both sides tried many attacks but ended up back at the start. The trenches were a good defence tactic and were almost impossible to get through. Also both sides of WW1 were evenly matched. One side was not stronger, richer, smarter or better than the other. Neither side could win by outnumbering the other as they both had huge and strong armies. Both sides could afford the same