The Harsh Realities of Trench Warfare in World War I

Soldiers endured scorching heat, freezing cold and relentless rainfall during WWI. Adverse weather affected warfare strategy, soldier mortality rate and the mental health of those fighting on the frontlines. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant and extremely dangerous. The constant exposure to the elements led to various health issues such as trench foot, frostbite, and infections.

Military technology has always shaped and defined how wars were fought. The First World War, however, saw a breadth and scale of technological innovation of weaponry that had never been seen before. From machine guns to tanks to poison gas, soldiers faced new and deadly challenges on the battlefield. These advancements in technology further intensified the brutal nature of trench warfare.

Slightly more than 9.7 million military personnel from more than two dozen nations lost their lives, plus more than 6.8 million civilians who died from causes related to the war. The staggering number of casualties highlighted the devastating impact of trench warfare on both soldiers and civilians. World War I is not just about trench warfare and poison gas, but also about the individual stories of those who fought and sacrificed during this tumultuous time in history.

The frontlines of Russia's war in Ukraine have become infested with rats and mice, reportedly spreading disease that causes soldiers to suffer even more in the already dire conditions. General Hospital No. 2 at Fort McHenry became one of the largest hospitals for receiving soldiers returning from overseas. The medical facilities were overwhelmed with wounded soldiers in need of care, further underscoring the toll of trench warfare.

More than a century ago, Europe was convulsed by World War I, pitting the Allies—led by Britain, France, Russia, and eventually the United States—against the Central Powers, led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. Much of the battle-ravaged landscape along the Western Front has been reclaimed by nature or returned to farmland, and the scars of the war are disappearing. However, the memories of the soldiers who endured the horrors of trench warfare will never be forgotten.