History of North America

Who dug the trenches in World War 1?

The trenches in World War I were dug by the soldiers themselves, using shovels, picks, and other simple tools. The work was painstakingly slow, and the soldiers were often under fire from the enemy. In some cases, they were forced to dig their trenches in the darkness of night, in order to avoid being seen. The trenches were typically about 2 meters (6 feet) deep, and they could be several kilometers (miles) long. They provided soldiers with protection from enemy fire, but they were also cramped, unsanitary, and often filled with water.