In WW1, why did the trenches become so muddy?

Question

Just wondering, my history teacher said soldiers would drown from all the mud and im wondering how it got so muddy.

Answer 1

Because of the rain. Trenches as you know were simply dug into the dirt and with very little grass or vegetation to soak up the water as well as the sloping sides of the trench so the soldiers could climb up to escape a gas attack or get out to to fight the trenches could easily turn very muddy and collect water along the bottoms.

Answer 2

The trench lines ran hundreds of miles, and they were essentially dug several feet into the earth in a part of France that was.. well.. wet. Constant bombardment by enemy mortars probably destroyed a lot of vegetation that would soak up the excess water when it rained, the "no man's land" between the enemy trenches was obliterated wherever the two sides faced off.

Some trenches were reinforced and housed comfortable quarters, but neither army intended to stay long in their trenches, both sides hoping to push forward, so comfort was never the goal. Also remember that trench lines grew out of necessity to avoid enemy fire, so they were hastily dug to stop the advancing Germans and to set in and wait for reinforcements against the French and British forces.

I don't think any soldiers drowned in the mud just because it was muddy. More likely that they were wounded, and died asphyxiating in the mud as they lay critically wounded.

Answer 3

These are all very good answers but remember that it was also because there were no toliet facilities at the frontlines so men would relieve themselves into the bottom of the trench. While I have not heard of anyone drowning in the trench I know that many men lost their lives due to infection caused by all the bacteria from the human waste in the trenches.

Answer 4

A lot of the trenches were dug on ground that was badly drained. When you add the devastation caused by heavy shelling over months the mud turns to liquid when it rains

Answer 5

You dig a trench and it becomes the lowest point or feature; all rain and snow melt-off run into it. Also, all vegetation is destroyed by shell fire and fire so there is nothing to slow down the runoff. It was like living in a mud bath.

Answer 6

During the winter it snows in most of Europe. So with all the men moving around,the snow melts and with all that farm land,you've got mud. COLD mud

Answer 7

Rain, Soldiers feet, It was originally a lake??
Dont you know??