The zigzag shape of the trenches at Vimy is typical of trenches in the First World War. The trenches at the Notre Dame Museum also share this shape, as do the trenches in Source A
(A photograph of a trench) and Source B (a painting of trenches by John Nash). All of these sources show the zigzag shape of the trenches, which was used as a safety and protection method as, if an enemy got into a trench, then he would be able to see and shoot all the way down it. If a trench was of a zigzag shape, then the enemy could not see the entire trench and therefore would not be able to shoot all the way down it.
The trenches at Vimy Ridge are of six feet tall and four feet wide. This is consistent with the average height of a soldier in the First World War - five feet, four inches. A trench of six feet tall was amply tall enough for the soldiers. The size of the trenches is similar to the reconstructed trenches at the museum and also is similar to those in both Source A and Source B. Source shows soldiers sitting down; if they were to stand up, their heads would still be below the top of the trench. Source B shows soldiers struggling to get over the top of the trench which shows that it was above the five feet four inches of the average soldier.
Craters and shell holes are evident at Vimy implying many casualties, which is accurate as many people did die - seen in the tree-surrounded memorial. Also, the tunnels at Vimy were partly destroyed by underground mines. This suggests that there were casualties and is similar to the museum at Notre Dame de Lorette by both including rest rooms and a medical room.
The photograph showing the trench (Source A) is reliable as it is a Government photo and would have been wanted for information on the war and trenches. Also, the photograph does show the poor conditions and the size is consistent with the trenches at Vimy Ridge. During the war, no photographers would have been allowed in the trenches and so is unlikely to be propaganda. The painting, Source B, does show casualties and duckboards, and is a similar shape to the Vimy Ridge trenches; however, it is painted from memory and the artist, John Nash, was an official war artist and so the picture may be biased and may not show the real events of the war. The Government would not allow Nash to publicise a painting showing horrific or disturbing images. Also, the artist may have a personal style in which he paints – giving a false impression of the scene.
Source D is a letter sent by Wilfred Owen to his mother from the trenches in 1917. This is a very reliable source as it describes the awful details of trench warfare; it would have been unlikely that Owen would have lied to his mother, as he appears to have a close relationship with her. During the war, all letters were censored to prevent unwanted details, like the ‘real’ conditions, being made know to family and friends. At the time, the Government wanted as many people as possible to join in the war effort and support their country. However, as Owen was an officer, his letter may not have been censored.
The trenches at Vimy Ridge are of the right shape and in the correct position. The zigzag structure is typical and there are original artefacts on the site. The tunnels are also original and there is evidence of casualties from the craters and shell holes. However, there is no barbed wire; the sandbags and duckboards have been constructed in concrete and No Man’s Land has been grassed-over. Overall, I believe that the tunnels and trenches at Vimy Ridge are reliable as they are consistent with sizes and shapes from other sources.
Despite this, it does not give a truly accurate impression of what the conditions were for soldiers at the time of the war. The trenches are very clean, whereas they would have been covered in mud and water – more of what the description of Source D portrays – “filled with water to a depth of 1 or 2 feet”, “craters full of water” and “an octopus of sucking clay.”
