The Western Front
The western front was the wall of trenches that spread across the border of Belgium and France and consisted of 475 miles. The trenches were made so that both side could hold their land and was easier to control than an all-out attack. the
estimated number of death is around 380,000 from the Turks and the AIF. Most of
the soldiers died from diseases like trench foot than dying in action. (1918:
Australians in France - The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in 191, 2013)
Living conditions
The living conditions of the soldiers were very poor. The diet they had every day was mainly bully beef (canned corn beef) and biscuits that were hard as rocks. They clothes they were wearing were rotten, ripped or scratchy because they had to wear the same set of clothes for 4 months or more. The living conditions were also bad because of the diseases that where spreading around the trenches live trench foot, trench fever and trench mouth. Because of the large amount of the dead in and around the trenches the smell of the decayed was unbearable and sickening; this then brought the flies which were a nuisance because they would stick to your face and food wherever you would be. (Life in the trenches, 2009)
(Trench Diseases, 2013)
The living conditions of the soldiers were very poor. The diet they had every day was mainly bully beef (canned corn beef) and biscuits that were hard as rocks. They clothes they were wearing were rotten, ripped or scratchy because they had to wear the same set of clothes for 4 months or more. The living conditions were also bad because of the diseases that where spreading around the trenches live trench foot, trench fever and trench mouth. Because of the large amount of the dead in and around the trenches the smell of the decayed was unbearable and sickening; this then brought the flies which were a nuisance because they would stick to your face and food wherever you would be. (Life in the trenches, 2009)
(Trench Diseases, 2013)
What is the AIF? and what did they think of the Turks?The AIF is the Australian Imperial Force and was created in 1914 on the 15th of August. It was used as the main type of infantry used in WW1 and consisted of around 330,000 men and 2,000 women. The AIF was made for aiding their allies and to keep Australia safe. It was also known as a voluntary force so you had the choice for joining up. When they joined the war, they were quickly noticed for their skills. During trench warfare the AIF had a special bond with the Turks. This was because of an armistice that happened on the western front. This armistice was called because the stench of the dead was that unbearable that people couldn’t eat their food without vomiting. When both side came out to burn the bodies they made a special type of bond with each other. (The AIF, 2013)
What did families think of the war and what did they do when the soldiers came back?
The families supported the war but they didn't like it. The reason they supported the war was because they sent their sons and fathers over to keep their country safe from the enemies invading. The reason why they didn't support the war was because of the danger their loved ones where in. They also disliked the war because of what happened after the soldiers came back from the war and how damaged they were. After the war, many of the soldiers broke down in torment. Usually they broke down whenever they were in bed they have nightmare of the war and usually don’t live a happy life. Since this was the case with them, their families usually sent them to rehab centers for them to settle down and to be able to socialize properly without breaking down. (Trench Warface, 2013) (Trench Warfare in World War I, 2013) (Trench Warfare, 2013)
The families supported the war but they didn't like it. The reason they supported the war was because they sent their sons and fathers over to keep their country safe from the enemies invading. The reason why they didn't support the war was because of the danger their loved ones where in. They also disliked the war because of what happened after the soldiers came back from the war and how damaged they were. After the war, many of the soldiers broke down in torment. Usually they broke down whenever they were in bed they have nightmare of the war and usually don’t live a happy life. Since this was the case with them, their families usually sent them to rehab centers for them to settle down and to be able to socialize properly without breaking down. (Trench Warface, 2013) (Trench Warfare in World War I, 2013) (Trench Warfare, 2013)
how were the trenches built?
All trenches where dug in a zigzag formation to stop the danger infiltrators doing a sweeping fire and killing many people. They were also dug 2 meters deep and 2 meters wide to give enough room for 2 lanes of soldiers, 1 going forward and one going backwards. On top of the trenches were 3 to 4 layers of sand bags to help stop bullets when fired. (First trenches are dug on the Western Front, 1914) (schaiberger,
2013) (Life in the
trenches, 2009)