The Trench System

• Describe the trenches

  -Communications routes

  -Dugouts in the sides for protective cover

  -Dug in a zig zag pattern
• What was the use of Hill 60?

  -Allowed troops a clear view over the area and was strategically valuable

  -In April 1915, British forces placed 5 mines in the hill and it blew off the top for British forces to capture the hill
• What was the impact that artillery fire and shelling made on the terrain?

  Caused holes/craters across the battlefield which made it difficult for injured soldiers to be helped by medics
• What was the impact that torrential rainfall made on the terrain?

  Waterlogged trenches which led to 20,000 victims of trench foot between 1915-1916
• What were the problems with the trench system?

  They were cramped and full of equipment which made it hard to navigate
• What was the impact that fertiliser in the soil made on British troops?

  Caused wounds to become infected
• What was the cause of trench foot?

  prolonged exposure to wet and damp conditions, poor blood circulation due to tight boots
• what were the symptoms of trench foot?

  foot swelling, numbness, foul smells, blue/purple skin
• what was the treatment/prevention of trench foot?

  changing socks and adding duckboards to the trenches. rubbing whale oil to create a waterproof barrier. even amputation in some cases
• what was the cause of trench fever?

  lice on rats that attached themselves to the soldiers
• what were the symptoms of trench fever?

  headaches, muscle pains, high temperature
• what was the treatment/prevention of trench fever?

  disinfected clothes, delousing stations set up
• what were the symptoms of shell shock?

  tiredness, nightmares, headaches, shaking, mental breakdowns
• what was the treatment/prevention used for shell shock?

  it was not understood well during the war, most people were punished for shell shock with imprisonment, fines or loss of rank.
• Describe the helmets used

  -made of steel

  -strap to ensure it stayed in place

  -khaki green and covered with sawdust to prevent reflection

  -reduced head wounds by 80%
• what were the effects of gas attacks

  short term blindness, loss of taste and coughing
• what did soldiers use in gas attacks before gas masks were issued?

  urine soaked cotton pads placed around their mouths
• when were gas masks issued?

  July 1915
• How many people were in the RAMC?

  113,000 medical officers in 1918
• who were the FANY?

  group of female volunteers that assisted the RAMC