Military History: First World War: Life in the Trenches: The Trench System

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For much of the war, the armies of the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance faced each other from a series of trenches separated only by a small area, perhaps 25 to 100 meters across, called "no man's land." The trench system stretched from the mountains in the east to the English Channel in the west. The trenches were usually two metres deep by two metres wide and the walls were supported by sandbags. Snipers could shoot any soldier who lifted his head above the trench.

Trench Life.

Though enemies, soldiers on both sides shared many of the same hardships. At times, they even enjoyed a strong sense of camaraderie.

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The front-line trenches were the firing lines and guns were placed strategically to shoot at the enemy. Behind were lines of support and communication trenches. Duty at the front generally lasted four to six days, and then the soldiers went to the support trenches for four to six more, where they carried ammunition and supplies to the front. Then they were taken out of the trenches for about four days to train, work, and rest.

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