CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| Introduction | [vii] |
| Location and Construction of Trenches | [1] |
| Dugouts | [19] |
| Resistance of Roofing Materials | [24] |
| Dumps | [25] |
| Latrines | [27] |
| Revetments | [28] |
| Sand Bags | [29] |
| Corrugated Iron | [32] |
| Fire Platforms | [34] |
| Traverses | [36] |
| Listening Posts | [38] |
| Observation Posts | [43] |
| Loopholes for firing | [43] |
| Support Trenches and Support Dugouts | [45] |
| Support Points | [46] |
| Reserve Dugouts | [47] |
| Second Line | [47] |
| Communication Trenches | [48] |
| Sketch of Trench System | [56] |
| Section I | [56] |
| Section II | [58] |
| Section III | [63] |
| Section IV | [67] |
| Telephone Lines | [68] |
| Recesses | [69] |
| Notice Boards | [70] |
| Trench Drainage | [72] |
| Floorboards | [77] |
| Brushwood and Straw | [79] |
| Working Parties | [80] |
| Reliefs | [81] |
| Traversed Fire Trenches | [83] |
| Obstacles and Entanglements | [84] |
| Low Wire Entanglements | [85] |
| High Wire Entanglements | [86] |
| Abatis | [88] |
| Barricades | [88] |
| Inundations | [89] |
| Fougasses | [89] |
| Organization of Bombing Squads | [90] |
| Training | [91] |
| Explosives | [101] |
| Bombs | [103] |
| Percussion Bombs | |
| Hand Grenade No. 1 | [103] |
| Hand Grenade No. 2 | [105] |
| Rifle Grenade No. 3 | [105] |
| Ignition Bombs | |
| Hand Grenade Nos. 6 and 7 | [107] |
| Hand Grenade Nos. 8 and 9 | [108] |
| Pitcher Hand Grenade | [108] |
| Oval Hand Grenade | [110] |
| Ball Hand Grenade | [110] |
| Jam-pot Bombs | [110] |
| Mechanical Bombs | |
| Hand Grenade No. 5 or Mills’ Grenade | [111] |
| Gas Warfare | [113] |
| Tear Shells | [116] |
| Gas Masks or Respirators | [119] |
| Duties of a Platoon Commander at the Front | [121] |
| Going into the Trenches | [122] |
| In the Firing Line | [123] |
| Observation | [125] |
| Inspection | [126] |
| Sentries | [127] |
| Rifles | [128] |
| Preparatory to Entering Trenches | [130] |
| Taking Over Trenches | [131] |
| Sniping | [131] |
| Patrols | [132] |
| Duties of an Officer | [134] |
| How to Fire a Machine Gun in Case of Emergency | [140] |
| Lewis Gun | [141] |
| Vicker’s Automatic | [141] |
| Stoppages | [142] |
| Prevention of Frost Bites and Trench Feet | [142] |
TRENCH WARFARE
LOCATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF TRENCHES
In locating the site for a defensive firing line, it must be divided into three sections:—firing line, immediate support and reserves. In doing this several opposing factors should be taken into consideration and their relative importance judged according to the special circumstances and objects in view, keeping in mind the probable lines and manner of defense of the enemy, and whether the trenches are for permanent or for temporary use.
This may be summarized under two heads: first, with the object of attaining the greatest field that can be covered by defensive fire; and, second, the greatest security from offensive fire.
It will even be found that these two constructions will be in conflict. Trenches placed behind the crest of a hill, say fifty to one hundred and fifty yards from the top, will hamper the accuracy of the enemy’s artillery fire. Shooting, to be effective, calls for a high rate of accuracy, and here the only observations possible are from aircraft and balloons; but the enemy side of the hill will be raised ground to the occupants of the trench. At night large numbers of the enemy could collect there, and the dangerous space to them would merely be the distance from your fire trench to the crest of the hill.
The enemy could and would entrench themselves on their side of the crest and by raising their parapet enjoy the advantage of a higher front, which would eventually lead to their entirely controlling the area behind your trenches, which are continually used by the relief and fatigue parties.