Why did the armies fight the First World War in trenchers on the western front?

Answer 1

The concept of trench warfare was the tactic of the time, a relatively new concept. What they didn't grasp was how effective it was to defend and difficult to attack, creating a stalemate.

Thanks to the invention of the heavy machine gun thousand of fine brave men on both sides were slaughtered just to gain a few hundred yards of ground.

The advent of the tank, changed things radically as though unreliable as they were they were able to breach the German trenches.

The increase of air power helped during battle also but were useless when bombing the trenches as the were built to survive artillery bombardment and only a direct hit could destroy the entrances of underground chambers.

The German trenches were much more refined drained where possible and some even had sleeping chambers, galley's, messes etc to cater for 100's of troops

Answer 2

The weaponary. No longer was there single shot rifles. Now you had machine guns that could kill everyone on an open field. No to get out of the way of those machine guns they found in trenches.

Answer 3

Because none of them could make any substantial advantage. but, the trenches existed on the Macedonian front too. Actually, the front line became today border line between Macedonia and Greece.

Answer 4

So as to avoid enemy fire as much as possible and to take out as many of the enemy as possible with as few causalties to their own as possible. Also, neither side really made much headway and were forced into the stanstill.

Answer 5

To avoid getting hit by bullets and flying shrapnel.

Answer 6

To avoid fire from gatling guns

Trenches then led to gas warfare and flame thrower use.

Answer 7

More protection then on an open field.