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Trench Warfare: A Manual for Officers and Men

Chapter 20: TELEPHONE LINES
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About This Book

A practical manual offers step-by-step guidance for locating, excavating, and defending trench systems, treating dugouts, revetments, floors and drainage, communication and support trenches, and observation and listening posts. It covers field fortifications and obstacles such as wire entanglements, abatis, fougasses, and barricades, and details explosives, hand grenades, gas agents and respirators, plus bomb organization and training. Tactical and daily duties for small-unit leaders are described, including patrols, sniping, machine-gun emergency use, reliefs and working parties, while chapters address sanitation, dumps, latrines and prevention of trench ailments. Illustrative sketches and practical notes accompany procedural recommendations and materials guidance.

TELEPHONE LINES

It is generally found that artillery telephone lines are laid on the north and west side of a C. T.; infantry lines on the south and east. Lines are generally laid about two feet from the bottom of the trench, picketed inter-grooves being cut into the side of the trench. These lines must be given absolutely every protection possible by the infantry and by any one using the trenches. Far too much carelessness has at times existed which destroyed communication with artillery and infantry when it was of vital importance that it should be open.

Infantry in the trenches depend for immediate support upon their artillery, and if, through lack of supervision on the part of the officers in charge, these lines are destroyed or temporarily torn down by careless men not understanding their significance and importance, then that officer or officers is guilty of a very serious crime.