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.
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).