The machine gun and mass artillery of World War One combat dictated an extensive development of both side of below ground fortifications that were simply known as the 'Trenches". Ranging from concrete structures to simple ditches, these systems allowed for secure movement of troops and supplies as well as providing facilities to defend and launch attacks. Soldier often spent many long days and nights in these trenches, enduring enemy fire, poison gas attacks as well as the elements. As you walk through the trench, see if you can identify the features that one would have found in ant trench in World War One.

A Front Line Dictionary:
Duckboard: Wooden trench flooring that allowed for water drainage.
The Firing Step: A seat and stand to access the top of the trench.
A Sniper Post: Dedicated marksmen with scoped rifles firing from camouflaged positions searched for individual targets.
Communications Wire: Phone and telegraph communication linked the front line to the command network.
Dug Outs: Underground positions that provided shelter from shell fire and weather.
Machine Gun Positions: The rapid fire machine gun dictated the need for a trench system.
Mortar Pit: A close support weapon that could arc projectiles into the narrow enemy trenches.
Command
Post: (CP) Front or second line position of command and control that doubled as a unit headquarters and officer billets.
Aid Station: "Dug outs" that provided front line medical treatment.
Barbed Wire: This American invention of the cattle industry was used as a single strand or large "belts" that served as effective obstacles for infantry.
No Mans Land: Battlefield section between two opposing trench lines.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Carlisle, PA  |  Cumberland County  |  17013  |  Pennsylvania  |  United States of America

Machine Gun Post
Aid Station
Meet Private Donald D. Kyler
The Trenches
Post of Command
Splinter Proof
Sniper's Nest
The Mortar Pit
No Man's Land
Specialist (SPC) Charles Posey III

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.