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AWM Photo E03583 Note: Readers should be aware that the copyright on
many photographs have expired and are available online.
5. Troops and their units were involved in a
rotation system
through the
front lines. This meant that after a period of service they were rotated
back to non combat areas. This allowed troops recovery treatment,
recreational leave, time absorbing local culture and training sessions
behind the Front Lines. Behind the lines troops were accommodated in
billets or tents in open fields. George Lane again, in a letter home, said
“our billets are in a small village ……… we are about three miles from
the Line”. Page 137. The “line” was the front line where their replacement
soldiers hopefully would re-commence their attack.
Despite the continuing heavy battle losses, lessons were learned in new
battle tactics behind the front. For example, the co-ordination of troops
with tanks and the staggered advances that allowed fresh troops to come
forward with each advanced position. Sappers went out into no man’s
land to create problems for the defenders.
Further Research
What is a “sapper”?
6. Another principle of the trench warfare system was
defence in
depth
and the use of deceptive strategies in trench construction. This involved a
secondary series of trenches that could be retreated to, if the front line was
captured. Communication trenches, often hidden from the opposition,
could be used to bring in supplies and ammunition.
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