Elements of Trench Warfare

by William H. Waldron

PLAN OF TRAVERSED TYPE OF FIRE TRENCH
PLATE 14.

1. Length of bay, 18 feet.
2. Width of traverse, 5 feet.
3. Length of traverse, 5 feet.
4. Overlap of traverse, 3 feet.
5. Height of traverse depends upon defilade required and practicability of concealment.

Type of Trench

Formerly, protection from the enemy's fire was obtained by thickness of parapet. In the trench warfare of today it is obtained by completely concealing the riflemen in a deep, narrow trench with a very low parapet.

The height over which the average man can fire is about 5 feet or about five-sixths of his own height. This factor determines the height of the parapet above the firing banquet of the trench or the height of bottom of loophole above the same point, when the latter is employed.

The type of trench in general use today is the simple standing trench shown in Plate 15.