How Did Ww1 Affect The Trenches

Soldiers during WW1 were affected in many ways due to the different kinds of new technology that was used. One of the most important technologies would be trench warfare, in which the soldiers used the trenches in the forefront to protect themselves from the barrage of gunfire, while the trenches that were in the rear were used for storing items they might need such as medical supplies, as well as being used for getting rest. Trench life might have been a safe haven so to speak but was dreadful for soldiers. They were muddy and smelled awful, however the soldiers basically lived in them. Eating and sleeping in such conditions was terrible. I believe they must have slept with one eye open for fear of being attacked at any moment by enemy fire. …show more content…
One of the gases that were used was mustard gas which the Germans first used when they filled artillery shells and grenades with them to fire at the troops in the trenches. Many soldiers were killed by the effects of mustard gas when it was inhaled as it could blister the lungs and make breathing difficult. Many soldiers did not escape injury from the gas though because the gas seeped through the uniforms and caused the skin to blister as well. Another gas of the time used was chlorine gas which the Germans used so the enemy couldn’t see them approaching. They could however see the yellowish green colored smoke shield which of course was the gas. The chlorine gas had a very unique smell. However many soldiers at this time had been issued “gas masks” to protect themselves from inhaling the gas. Before the gas mask was invented the only way a soldier had to protect himself was to use a small piece a material that was soaked in urine. The first gas mask to be invented was done so by Cluny Macpherson, a physician from Newfoundland. It was made of a helmet that was lined with material treated with chemicals that absorbed the chlorine