Life in the trenches

Preparation and Planning

During Episode 4 ask students to be judicious in the censoring of their partners' letter ain order to avoid any over application of the marker pen.
It might be useful to circulate around the classroom during this exercise and ask students to discuss their reasons for censoring certain parts of letters.

About the MOD Topic

Defence of the Realm Act (D.O.R.A)
The DORA was introduced in August 1914, during the early weeks of the First World War (1914-1918) to give the Government more control over civilian life. The Act gave the Government extensive powers during the period of war, including powers such as censorship and the power to requisition buildings or land needed for the war effort. The Act was designed to help prevent invasion and to keep domestic morale high (important to ensure ongoing recruitment of personnel and continued public support for the war effort). It imposed censorship of journalism and on the letters being sent home from the front line.

The following is an extract from the act
(1) His Majesty in Council has power during the continuance of the present war to issue regulations for securing the public safety and the defence of the realm, and as to the powers and duties for that purpose of the Admiralty and Army Council and of the members of His Majesty's forces and other persons acting in his behalf; and may by such regulations authorise the trial by courts-martial, or in the case of minor offences by courts of summary jurisdiction, and punishment of persons committing offences against the regulations and in particular against any of the provisions of such regulations designed:
(a) to prevent persons communicating with the enemy or obtaining information for that purpose or any purpose calculated to jeopardise the success of the operations of any of His Majesty's forces or the forces of his allies or to assist the enemy; or
(b) to secure the safety of His Majesty's forces and ships and the safety of any means of communication and of railways, ports, and harbours; or
(c) to prevent the spread of false reports or reports likely to cause disaffection to His Majesty or to interfere with the success of His Majesty's forces by land or sea or to prejudice His Majesty's relations with foreign powers; or
(d) to secure the navigation of vessels in accordance with directions given by or under the authority of the Admiralty; or
(e) otherwise to prevent assistance being given to the enemy or the successful prosecution of the war being endangered.

(3) It shall be lawful for the Admiralty or Army Council:
(a) to require that there shall be placed at their disposal the whole or any part of the output of any factory or workshop in which arms, ammunition, or warlike stores and equipment, or any articles required for the production thereof, are manufactured;
(b) to take possession of, and use for the purpose of, His Majesty's naval or military service any such factory or workshop or any plant thereof;

Life in the trenches
Student Worksheets 1-5 provide detailed information regarding several different aspects of trench life including Conditions in the Trenches, Health, Communications with Home, Spare Time and Trench Routine.

Troops in Afghanistan:
Included below are extracts from reports on the conditions which British troops are experiencing in modern-day theatres of combat including Iraq and Afghanistan and examples of how the troops use their free time. Hopefully the extracts provide an interesting comparison with the conditions experienced by the troops fighting in the First World War. The link below the extract will take you to the full article hosted by the Defence News website.

Combat Conditions:
The observation posts, high on the mountain ridges, provide much needed security as the British troops conduct their patrols through the area. Troops rotate between foot patrols and observation post duties, each of which presents their own challenges. Food and supplies are transported by foot from the main base by the dam to the observation posts across the dangerously mined mountainous ridges. The troops pride themselves on how quick they tackle the high altitude climb and cover the tricky terrain like mountain goats.
Lieutenant George Seal-Coon, 7 Platoon Commander in the British Army said:
'The transition of foot patrolling and mountain ridge duties keeps the men busy and fit. These conditions are challenging but this is what you train and join the infantry for.'
In the hard sheltered accommodation within the small British base, Private Martin Bradbury, a light machine gunner from 2 Section, spoke of the previous day's experiences as he prepared for the next patrol:
'Yesterday's patrol was a tough one, as we had to run about two kilometres back to the safety of the base, but it was a good one.'
This manoeuvre is known as a 'Hard Extraction', where troops move quickly from an area subject to enemy fire to a place of safety. In the month of constant patrolling the Vikings have only had one patrol on which they did not come under enemy fire.

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/InPicturesKajakivikingsAreKingsOfTheHill.htm

Conditions at the base:
Conditions at the base are tough - extreme heat and dust, make it an inhospitable place. Breakfast, lunch and dinner come from 24 hour ration packs. Washing is done under solar showers, rigged up in makeshift cubicles. The wooden toilets are endearingly referred to as 'Thunder boxes'. The shelters which provide respite from the unrelenting sun are made from old parachutes. Tables and chairs have been crafted from disused pallets and kitchens have been built from empty ammunition tins, one even includes an improvised clay oven which is used to bake bread.

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/EngineersMakeRemoteAfghanBaseAHomeFromHomevideo.htm

Free Time:
Iraqi Soldiers have beaten their British military trainers and mentors in a friendly five-a-side football competition held to celebrate New Year's Eve.
The British soldiers from 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment are attached to the 1 SCOTS Battle Group and members of 14 Division of the Iraqi Army. They have been training and monitoring their Iraqi counterparts in military field craft, weapon handling and patrolling skills.
But during the football match, held on 31 December 2007 at the Contingency Operating Base in Basra, the Iraqi soldiers taught the Brits a few lessons of their own despite the British lads being determined to make up for their last meeting when they were trounced by 22 goals to 3.
The soldiers from 1 Lancs put together five teams against three from the Iraqi soldiers and after several good natured but hard fought games, the tournament was finally won, after a penalty shoot out, by the Iraqis who promptly celebrated with their flag.
The fun of the football match gave the Iraqi and British commanders the chance to reinforce links and discuss future plans in a relaxed environment. Major Cormack said:
'Anything that gets us to build a closer relationship with the Iraqis that we work with is a good thing. Football is one of those great levellers and it really managed to break down a lot of the barriers.
Lieutenant Colonel Saeed from the Iraqi Army said:
'The British forces have trained my Battalion. We have learned so much from the training in military skills. My relationship with the British Officers has been very good, and the instructors have been great with the soldiers. Today we came here to play football with the British Army but we also wanted to say Happy New Year.'

http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/defencenews/peopleindefence/iraqisoldiersbeatbritsinnewyearsfootballmatch.htm

UK soldiers serving in southern Iraq have raised over US$1,500 for charity by playing a one-off gig for troops stationed there. The soldiers - four military policemen and a singing Army chef - played the gig, at the UK Contingency Operating Base in Basra, to raise money for the Help For Heroes charity.
Parched of live music, halfway through his seven month tour of Iraq, Military Policeman and drummer Lieutenant Dave Wilton hit on the idea of putting a band together to raise morale among his fellow troops. Dave didn't have to look far for band members; his own deployed unit, 158 Provost Company (Royal Military Police) had talent in abundance.
Guitarists Corporal Ben Leeves and Lance Corporal Phil Smith, bassist Lance Corporal Scott Carney and the Company's own singing chef, Corporal Paul Maidment, all soon rose to the Lieutenant's call and 'The Basra City Rollers' were born.

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/PeopleInDefence/SoldiersRockBasraForCharityGig.htm

Communications with home:
A free parcel service for the families of troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq is to be extended, it was announced today, Monday 12 November 2007.
The free service has proved extremely popular with families of those serving overseas since its launch in September. The current arrangement was due to expire in December, however, under a new deal agreed today between the Ministry of Defence and Royal Mail, it will now continue after Christmas and is expected to last as long as British forces are serving in these areas.
Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne, said:
'The introduction of free post in the summer has been a real success with both families and service personnel, and I am just delighted that we have been able to come to an agreement with Royal Mail that will ensure the continuation of this valued service. I am very grateful to Royal Mail for their support for our troops.'
Adam Crozier, Royal Mail's Chief Executive, added:
'I'm very proud that Royal Mail will continue to play a key role in making it as easy as possible for families and friends to send gifts and home comforts to their loved ones on the front line. The messages we've received from men and women at the front tell us how much they value parcels from home - and we're delighted to work with the British Forces Post Office to ensure a free service continues.'

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/NewDealOnFreePostWrappedUpInTimeForChristmas.htm

Further Opportunities for Learning

Ask students to research conditions for troops on a particular battlefield OR conditions in which a relative of theirs fought OR conditions in which one of the people named on a school war memorial or honour board lived and fought.

You could ask students whether they have any artefacts from relatives who fought in the First World War which they would like to bring in to show to the class, be it carvings, engravings, letters or even items of uniform.

Student worksheet answers

Download the teachers notes PDF to access the answers for this lesson.