Conditions during WWI were treacherous for the most part. Trench living was unsanitary, uncomfortable, and lead to many diseases.
One of the many problems that arose with life in the trenches was trench foot. This disease was first seen in 1914 and was said to be caused by cold, wet, pressure. This would explain why men in the trenches were diagnosed with trench foot — they spend all of their time up to their knees in water. During WWI, trench foot killed an estimated 2,000 American soldiers (Cherney, 2017). Men craved what were called Trench boots, or top boots, but these seemed to be a luxury, not a common item given to troops.
“All we need now are top boots (tall rubber waders or gum boots designed to try and avoid the problem of trench foot) to paddle through the trenches! There is plenty of water about but very little to drink or wash in. It is a fine place for people who are good at finding excuses for not washing! (Frost, 1915)”
Some men, however, were lucky enough to have Top boots. This allowed trench life to be less gruesome — the soldiers did not have to fret over the water in their trench (although they still note that they were cold). “The result is mud, mud and yet more mud, knee deep in places. But luckily we have long top boots from trench wear, so that the mud does not worry as much, except that is making our feet as cold as ice… We have been issued with fur jackets so we can keep our bodies warm. (Williams, 1915).”
It wasn’t until 1918 that Trench boots came to fruition. It was in that year that General Pershing approved plans to alter the current combat shoes. Previously, soldiers had been wearing marching shoes that offered no protection from the conditions of the trench. The new plans for trench boots would greatly improve the quality of soldiers lives (Walking a Mile, 2014).
Trench warfare began in 1914, switching from the previous style of war: mobile warfare(Atenstaedt, 2006). Germans tended to build nice trenches whereas the British and French did not. This is because the British and French did not believe that they would be residing in a trench for too long. The first case of trench foot was seen in 1914 and the first case of trench fever, another prominent disease, was seen in 1915 when a medical officer observed a soldier who displayed the symptoms of frontal headache, dizziness, severe lumbago, stiffness of the thighs, and severe pains in the legs (Atenstaedt, 2006).
“A private belonging to an infantry regiment was admitted to a casualty clearing station from a field ambulance where he had been detained suffering from a febrile illness of three days’ duration and of sudden onset.” (Atenstaedt, 2006).
Despite all of the negative aspects of trench life, the trenches were indeed practical for war. These trenches provided cover, allowing soldiers to protect themselves from much enemy fire. The importance of trenches in WWI can be seen in the novel Al Quiet on the Western Front.” Paul baumer tells the story of trench warfare, finding that Himmelstoss (Paul’s drill instructor) takes full advantage of the safety offered by the trenches. Himmelstoss refuses to leave the trench when he is on the front line, proving that he is terrified of battle. This scene solidifies the idea that even though trenches were horrible and lead to many diseases such as trench foot, they were necessary at the time for survival.
References
2014. Walking a mile in a soldier’s boots: A brief history of the trench boots of WWI. Wolf and Iron.
Atenstaedt, R. L. (2006). Trench fever: the British medical response in the Great War. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 99(11), 564–568.
Cherney, K. 2017. What is Trench Foot? Healthline.com.
Frost, S. (1915, May 22). Trenches: ‘an awfully desolate spot’ [Letter]. France.
Remarque, E. M. (2008). All Quiet on the Western Front. New York: Ballantine Books.
Symmons, J.G.(1915). Trenches: ‘Up to our knees in water’. [Letter to Bert].
Williams, G. (1915). Trenches: ‘Handling a Maxim’. [Letter to Mr. Hunt].
Frost, S. (1915, May 22). Trenches: ‘an awfully desolate spot’ [Letter]. France.