Conditions in the trenches

• Trench foot was a problem in the trenches, as soldiers were unable to keep their feet dry and they started to rot off, leading to many having feet amputated.
• Boredom was a common problem in the trenches, as soldiers followed the same boring routine all the time, as they weren’t fighting constantly.
• Trench warfare developed and the First World War became a stalemate.
• Trenches are easier to defend than attack.
• The First World War quickly became a war of attrition, with both sides trying to wear down the other.
• The generals hoped a big push would create the breakthrough, which was a major attack on a particular section of the enemy’s trenches.
• Soldiers in the trenches faced cold, wet, muddy conditions, and had to deal with the fear of going over the top.
• Rats were a problem in the trenches, and the smell was often unbearable.
• The quality of food was poor in the trenches, and soldiers often had to deal with shell fire.
• Shellshock was a common problem in the trenches, causing soldiers to become unable to function properly due to the constant fire from the other side.