What sort of protection did trenches provide in World War 1?

Answer 1

During World War I, trenches of different kinds protected soldiers from various dangers. Basic slit trenches, dug deeply enough to enable soldiers to stand up straight while keeping their heads below the ground-surface, protected soldiers from horizontal rifle- and cannon-fire. More sophisticated trenches, dug still more deeply into the earth and maintaining a thick ceiling-layer of earth, protected troops from vertical bombardment, including attacks from airplanes.

Answer 2

• The first defence was barbed wire, which was secretly amended during the night so that it wasn't trampled upon by the enemy too easily.
• Behind the wire were sand bags. These were there to catch bullets and shrapnel. They also stopped excess water from flooding the trenches because the sand soaked up rain water.
• Then there were snipers who shot at the opposite trench. They would be concealed and pick off any soldiers who poked his head up above the trenches into his line of sight. They would usually operate in pairs; one as a spotter and one as a shooter.
• Behind the front line were the 'reserve trenches', also known as the 'second line' or the 'support trenches'. These were there in case the front line trench was overrun by the enemy.
• Sometimes, there was even a third line of defense. These were known as the 'communication trenches' and they ran over 1km back to safety. All things going up the line, such as fresh troops, water, food, mail, ammunition etc had to use these lines. Wounded soldiers went in down the line to hospitals situated at the back.

Answer 3

The soldiers had machine guns, rifles and grenades, with which they killed each other.