Trench warfare activity

[Rzzy]

I recently write the war novel that is in another world that may look like in early 20Century or ww1 enviroment. Since the the main story not yet in Trench warfare so I want some help, I'm actually is thinking how activity in Trench warfare outside the battle for the story. Like for example in all Quite in western front opening soldier is gather the dead soldiers and take the uniform so they can re-use it.

 

[Azamukul]

Trenches are a dreadful place to be, it's cold, wet (usually) crowded with he living and the dead, and most of all is the paranoia and fear of death and disease.

 

[Empress_Omnii]

I recently write the war novel that is in another world that may look like in early 20Century or ww1 enviroment. Since the the main story not yet in Trench warfare so I want some help, I'm actually is thinking how activity in Trench warfare outside the battle for the story. Like for example in all Quite in western front opening soldier is gather the dead soldiers and take the uniform so they can re-use it.

I'm not sure what you're asking for help about? I don't understand what you need

 

[Azamukul]

I'm not sure what you're asking for help about? I don't understand what you need

From what I'm getting, they're asking about what a soldier does in the day to day in the Trenches when not dieing horribly in battle.

 

[MasterY001]

Morphine. Lots and lots of morphine.

 

[Kay_Ship]

Daily life when not actively fighting is mostly:
guard shifts
maintain equipment
eat
Sleep
Recreation (cards, reading, letters)

In that order of importance. Security comes first then making sure your gear is good before you get to take care of yourself.

 

[Empress_Omnii]

From what I'm getting, they're asking about what a soldier does in the day to day in the Trenches when not dieing horribly in battle.

Ah! Well I recommend doing some research into how the trenches were designed in that case.
I quite dislike trench warfare stuff because it's gross. But they had further away from the frontline sections for supplies, reserves and commanders. There were communication trenches between them that allowed people to carry supplies and messages through- it would be good to make sure you are studied on these designs for a story like that.

 

[BouncyCactus]

Making sure the trenches aren't flooded, cus trenchfoot is not a fun time. They also fix, build, and reinforce their own trenches. In some accounts, the more static and stagnant trenchlines are often much more fortified, with reinforced bunkers, and within said bunkers, the soldiers made sure their 'living quarters' are as comfortable as they could be. Writing letters to home, writing diaries, singing, drawing, the multitude of things humans tend to do when they are bored, because war is "Hurry up and wait" 90% of the time. And gambling. So much gambling.

Soldiers also only served on the frontmost trench for a few days at a time before being rotated out to the reserve trench at the backline, where the company supplies, medical tents, and the line are stationed. The movement between trenches is also quite common, with letters and gifts coming through into the trenches and whatnot fairly often too.

 

[Arkus86]

Daily life when not actively fighting is mostly:
guard shifts
maintain equipment
eat
Sleep
Recreation (cards, reading, letters)

In that order of importance. Security comes first then making sure your gear is good before you get to take care of yourself.

Also, as long as a country had the capacity to rotate units properly, very little of a soldier's time would be spent in front-line trenches, and depending on the sector, even actual combat could be scarce.

But overall the living conditions in the trenches were poor. Cold, wet, dissease and vermin were common, as was psychological trauma (e.g. shell shock).

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

I recently write the war novel that is in another world that may look like in early 20Century or ww1 enviroment. Since the the main story not yet in Trench warfare so I want some help, I'm actually is thinking how activity in Trench warfare outside the battle for the story. Like for example in all Quite in western front opening soldier is gather the dead soldiers and take the uniform so they can re-use it.

Digging~. Lots of digging~. Guarding~. Lots of guarding~. Marching~. Lots of marching~.

 

[ConansWitchBaby]

Copious amount of gay from boredom.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Depends on the army.

 

[BigBadBoi]

They're either dying from diseases, infections and/or starvation, or they're digging more trench lines. Then there's the occasional canadian warcrime where they throw cans of food for a few days then mix in grenades after a while. Reminder that Canada ruined christmas ceasefires.

 

[naosu]

I recently write the war novel that is in another world that may look like in early 20Century or ww1 enviroment. Since the the main story not yet in Trench warfare so I want some help, I'm actually is thinking how activity in Trench warfare outside the battle for the story. Like for example in all Quite in western front opening soldier is gather the dead soldiers and take the uniform so they can re-use it.

You know , in all these Isekai novels and stories... I don't think any of them have used trench warfare scenes. You may have found an uneplored area.

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

They're either dying from diseases, infections and/or starvation, or they're digging more trench lines. Then there's the occasional canadian warcrime where they throw cans of food for a few days then mix in grenades after a while. Reminder that Canada ruined christmas ceasefires.

Canadian?

 

[Anonjohn20]

Daily life when not actively fighting is mostly:
guard shifts
maintain equipment
eat
Sleep
Recreation (cards, reading, letters)

In that order of importance. Security comes first then making sure your gear is good before you get to take care of yourself.

There were other activities:
Looting dead comrades and dead enemies for clothing (frostbite kills).
Corpse disposal and cleaning (rats and diseases suck).
Laying traps in your trench before a retreat to hopefully kill an enemy.
Making homemade weapons, those trench clubs were not standard issue.
Assassinating awful officers: if an officer got troops killed unnecessarily, then the surviving troops often held grudges.
Expanding the trench.
Etc.

 

[Bartun]

Rats. Lots of rats. It is normal to have cats as mascots to keep the rats away, or even a dedicated rat killer among the troops.

 

[BigBadBoi]

Canadian?

Yeah

 

[Rzzy]

That's a lot of reference guys,I really apreciate it. Thanks a lot guys!

 

[RainingFish]

Maybe playing some cards or dice. Telling stories. Writing letters. Reading books. Religious activity.