Osprey Elite 78 : World War I Trench Warfare (1) 1914-1916

The popular image of the trench fighting of World War I has been formed by a few visual cliches. The years from 1914 to 1918 actually saw a whole series of sweeping, complex and very rapid changes in infantry tactics, which fundamentally altered the way wars had been fought for 150 years. This two-part study describes and illustrates - in the context of all the major combatant armies - the development of infantry equipment and weapons; of support weapons; of field fortifications; and, most importantly, exactly how these items and techniques were all employed in attack and defence, with what success. The texts are illustrated with scores of contemporary photos and diagrams, and with new colour plates combining details of uniforms, equipment and weapons with 'bird's-eye views' explaining their use in battle. These books offer a detailed but accessible tactical guidebook on 'how to fight a trench war'. Text by Dr Stephen Bull with illustrations by Adam Hook.

Contents

• Open Field Warfare in 1914 - Archaic Tactics of Infantry, Cavalry and Short Range Field Artillery
• The Triumph of Firepower & the Cost of Open Field Tactics - The Mame and Tannenberg
• Digging In - The Early Trench Systems 1915
• Development of Weapons and Minor Tactics 1915-16 - Machine Guns, Trench Mortars, Grenades, Sniping, Gas, Helmets & Armour, New Artillery
• Increased Sophistication of Trench Systems - Support and Reserve Lines, Deep Dug-Outs
• Attempts to Break the Trench Deadlock - The Battles of Loos and Verdun