BRUSHWOOD AND STRAW
Brushwood should not be placed in a trench bottom, except under very exceptional circumstances, and, as a matter of fact, is very seldom used, its value lying more in the manufacture of hurdles. Once brushwood has been trodden into the mud it is absolutely impossible to remove it, and there is no means of removing the mud and properly repairing the trench bottom. Straw under no circumstances should ever be put in a trench bottom, and when put into dugouts or shelters, should be cleared out and burned where possible (which will not be in front line) as soon as it becomes sodden or sour. The floor of the dugouts and shelters must be thoroughly cleaned of all this old straw, sand bags and bad soil before fresh straw is put in. It is possible in large dugouts such as are found in reserve and support lines, to make bunks out of wire netting on the same style as the berth in a steamer, and in a modern dugout enough of these bunks may be made to accommodate a company. In all German dugouts this is the practice, although it is not possible in close proximity to the front line. Advantage must be taken of what material is at hand.