Plate 15.—Simple standing trench. 1. Width at top, 3 feet 4 inches. 2. Width at bottom, over all, 2 feet 8 inches. 3. Width of firing banquet, 1 foot 4 inches. 4. Height of parapet above firing banquet, 5 feet. 5. Height of parapet above bottom of trench, 6 feet 4 inches.
PLATE 15a.
Type of INSTRUCTION FIRE TRENCH AT VALCARTIER CANADA.
Used in the instruction of Canadian Troops.
The type of trench in general use today is the simple standing trench shown in Plate 15.
Drainage
If a trench is to be occupied for any length of time, especially if much ground or falling water is to be encountered, drainage becomes of prime importance. Many years ago a celebrated military authority asserted that "nothing so saps the courage of a soldier as to wet the seat of his breeches." This may be accepted as a true maxim, especially in cold weather. The trench should therefore be made as dry as possible. The floor of the trench should be given a sufficient slope to the rear where an intercepting drain should carry the water to prepared sumps or to a point from which it can be disposed of by drainage. Provision should also be made to exclude surface drainage from the trenches.
A scheme for trench drainage is shown in the illustrations (Plates 16, 17 and 18).
Overhead cover may be provided as shown in Plates 19 and 20.