World War 1
What was daily life like for a soldier during war? 1914-1918
[Soldiers at the trenches]
Another problem they faced in the trenches were many different types of pests. The photo to the right shows the soldiers picking lice out of their clothing. The biggest rodent they faced were rats. Many rats would eat some of the soldiers little food that they had, and would crawl around the corpses left lying around. They carried diseases and passed them to the men in the trenches, many of them causing death to the soldiers. |
During World War 1, the soldiers built and lived in trenches to protect themselves from the enemies. Life in the trenches was not a great experience for the soldiers. Often times the trenches would flood or collapse and the soldiers were forced to rebuild it or find a new place for shelter and protection. The longer the soldiers stayed in the trenches, the more stabilized and put together they were. The soldiers had to put up with horrible conditions while living in the trenches. They had little to no access of running water, so they couldn't worry about hygiene
while at the front. |
Daily life for soldiers was spent suffering from endless problems in the dreadful trenches. They could not prepare themselves for the cold winters and exposed themselves to the extreme weather. This resulted in frostbite and Trench Foot. Trench Foot is caused by exposing the feet to damp, unsanitary, and cold conditions. Usually, a soldier was in the trenches for about 4 days, then spent 4 days in the close reserve, and another 4 at rest, and the cycle would repeat.
One of the most deadly things the soldiers faced during Trench Warfare was gas attacks. Enemies would throw poisonous gas bombs at each other while in the trenches. The types of gases that were used during WW1 were chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas. Unlike machine guns, being attacked by poisonous gas was a slow death because it took a while for the poison to spread throughout their body. Tear gas led to the creation of gas masks. The masks that were created did not give the best protection, but it did its job. The masks were said to be very weak and would break easily. Each countries masks were made a little bit differently. The Americans face masks included a metal canister that attached to a tube that connected to their mouths. The French's face mask had a filter that connected directly to the mouth with no tube, similar to the German's.
One of the most deadly things the soldiers faced during Trench Warfare was gas attacks. Enemies would throw poisonous gas bombs at each other while in the trenches. The types of gases that were used during WW1 were chlorine, phosgene, and mustard gas. Unlike machine guns, being attacked by poisonous gas was a slow death because it took a while for the poison to spread throughout their body. Tear gas led to the creation of gas masks. The masks that were created did not give the best protection, but it did its job. The masks were said to be very weak and would break easily. Each countries masks were made a little bit differently. The Americans face masks included a metal canister that attached to a tube that connected to their mouths. The French's face mask had a filter that connected directly to the mouth with no tube, similar to the German's.
[American Gas Mask] [French Gas Mask] [German Gas Mask]
While at war, many soldiers wrote to their friends and family at home. An estimated twelve and a half million letters were sent to the Western Front every week. The soldiers on the front line sent and received daily letters to loved ones.
These are letters that some of the soldiers wrote home to, keeping their families updated about what was happening.
~December 19, 1914: (Letter from Private H. F. Leppard to his mother)
The soldiers at the front need more rest. While in the trenches the water is over our knees most of the time. The war is going to last some time yet, and might be another twelve months before it is over. The war has only just begun and its going to be a war of exhaustion. After the regular armies have done their work it means that all the young lads at home being trained and disciplined and will take our place in the field. The sooner people understand this, the better, it will be for the nation.
~October 17, 1914: (Letter from Private James Mitchell to his father)
We started away just after dawn from our camp and I think it was about an hour later that we encountered the enemy. They were on the opposite side of the valley and as we came over the brow of the hill they opened on us with rifle fire and shrapnel from about 900 yards. We lost three officers and about 100 men killed and wounded in that half hour. I do not want any more days like that one.
These letters show the tough and traumatizing times the soldiers went through while at war. Life as a soldier was not an easy job, and making it through World War 1 with little technology and deadly gases and diseases was definitely a challenge.
These are letters that some of the soldiers wrote home to, keeping their families updated about what was happening.
~December 19, 1914: (Letter from Private H. F. Leppard to his mother)
The soldiers at the front need more rest. While in the trenches the water is over our knees most of the time. The war is going to last some time yet, and might be another twelve months before it is over. The war has only just begun and its going to be a war of exhaustion. After the regular armies have done their work it means that all the young lads at home being trained and disciplined and will take our place in the field. The sooner people understand this, the better, it will be for the nation.
~October 17, 1914: (Letter from Private James Mitchell to his father)
We started away just after dawn from our camp and I think it was about an hour later that we encountered the enemy. They were on the opposite side of the valley and as we came over the brow of the hill they opened on us with rifle fire and shrapnel from about 900 yards. We lost three officers and about 100 men killed and wounded in that half hour. I do not want any more days like that one.
These letters show the tough and traumatizing times the soldiers went through while at war. Life as a soldier was not an easy job, and making it through World War 1 with little technology and deadly gases and diseases was definitely a challenge.