Trenches – new ways to fight war: World War I

War on the Western Front is a slow-moving waiting game, demanding new ways of attack and defence. Trench warfare needs defensive tunnels, barricades, long- range artillery and infantry.

Both sides are locked into a system of trenches along the Western Front, with no- man's-land in between. Instead of decisive cavalry charges with infantry, each side bombards the other with heavy artillery. Territory is gained by charges 'over the top' covered by artillery fire and the use of poisoned gas, tanks and flame throwers.

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