LarryH57 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 We have all seen in photos that British trenches in WW1 were set out where possible in a zigzag pattern. But what shape did the Germans use? The attached photo shows trenches on the right of the photo having more of a square edged pattern. Any help greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Are you planning a new garden feature. I will warn you now. I tried it at home but the wife did not like it one bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 (edited) The basic layout was the same on both sides. Unplanned variables such as mines and artillery did however cause variation. Generally German, trenches tended to be more robust on the grounds 'We are here and intend to stay. Allied forces always considered trenches to be tempoary. This is a god site for pictures of the time. http://www.greatwar.nl/ Edited October 6, 2013 by Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryH57 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 I think the trenches on the right of the photo must be the German ones assuming that the photo is taken with North at the top. They look more organised which tends to support the hear to stay mentality Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woa2 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 'We are here and intend to stay. Allied forces always considered trenches to be temporary. I have heard this said by Andy Robershaw of the RLC Museum, when giving a talk about WW1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlienFTM Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Furthermore after the race to the Channel in 1914, the Germans stopped and help high ground. Being there to stay, they built extensive (sometimes iirc several storey complexes) trench systems. The Allies on the other hand, down in the low ground, had a water table to deal with and the trenches were nothing like as sophisticated. Don't ask me where I read / saw that, but it was only in the last couple of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 We only think of trenches. At many points, due to watertable and rock the fortifications were above ground Sangers. There is an excellent (But Expensive!) book by the IWM of photo mosaics of the Great War that shows all sorts of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlienFTM Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 We only think of trenches. At many points, due to watertable and rock the fortifications were above ground Sangers. There is an excellent (But Expensive!) book by the IWM of photo mosaics of the Great War that shows all sorts of things. [PEDANT]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangar_(fortification)[/PEDANT] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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