These appalling conditions led to disease sweeping through the trenches on the Western front. “Trench foot” was thus a huge problem. Over 74,000 soldiers suffered from “trench foot” but another big problem was infestations of lice, which drove the soldiers, who suffered from it, to insanity. Two million soldiers died in combat but three and a half million died from infection, maybe because antibiotics, such as penicillin, were in their infancy. However these problems were only suffered by the lower ranks, not officers or NCOs, who were only in that position because of their background, most of them coming from public schools.
Men in the trenches were living in constant fear of a mustard or chlorine gas attack or where the next shell would land, although the trenches were built in a zigzag shape to avoid numerous fatalities when a shell exploded. This constant fear led to psychological problems. This was worsened by the smell of death, depression and stress. These effects could lead to soldiers making mistakes.
Another factor that caused terrible conditions in the trenches was the quality and amount of food supplies. The average soldier received a portion of bully beef, some bread, potatoes and rock hard biscuits. Furthermore there was a dangerous lack of water which led to many men resorting to drinking water left in shell holes, which was obviously not healthy and would almost definitely lead to disease. However officers received hot food, fish, vegetables, cheese and even chocolate. They even received marvellous hampers containing whisky and cigars.
Life in the trenches was very boring. The only time the routine was broken was when an attack happened but this was very rare as both sides were waiting for the other to attack. Soldiers also had very little entertainment. They were paid 1 shilling a day and could only find any real entertainment in North East France where they would drink alcohol and find prostitutes. It was very different for officers though, who were usually paid at least ten times more than the average soldier and could therefore afford much more sophisticated entertainment.
Moreover some soldiers were conscripted into the army and therefore had never experienced these types of conditions. This army was called “Kitchener’s army” and for many it was their first time away from home. Some volunteers though had had two years’ training.
In conclusion it is obvious that conditions in the trenches along the Western front were awful, although these could be ameliorated depending on background, rank and the geography of the land. It is thus no surprise that attitudes to the war changed from “Now, God be thanked Who has matched us with His hour”, (Rupert Brooke, 1914) to “It is unspeakable, godless, hopeless”, (Paul Nash, 1917).