Trench Warfare

Trench Warfare is a manual for officers and men by J. S. Smith, a second lieutenant with the British Expeditionary Force. The introduction says that more earth has been removed by a combination of man, pick and shovel in making these trenches than was excavated to make the Panama Canal possible, and in less time. The text says overhead traverses are generally made in a communication trench leading up to the front line, and are quickly and easily made by placing corrugated iron, logs or strong branches, or floor boards, across the top of the trench and putting sand bags on top.

The text says that during an attack the sentry box is never used, except for stores or the placing of wounded. The text describes Grenade No. 3, more commonly known as Hale’s Rifle Grenade, as consisting of a serrated steel case filled with T.N.T. and a composite explosive. The text says that all scraps of food and refuse in general should be covered over with disinfectant, and that if this is not done thousands of flies and insects are attracted, with the inevitable rats, and disease and unsanitary conditions will follow.