Did Going over the Top Ever Work?
Going over the Top Could Be a Devastating Experience. If the Artillery Had Done Its Job, the Enemy's Barbed Wire Fences Would Be Shredded and the Defenders...
Going over the top could be a devastating experience. If the artillery had done its job, the enemy's barbed wire fences would be shredded and the defenders killed. But all too often this was not the case. ... It was much more common to be involved in nighttime patrols and raids on enemy trenches.
Why was trench warfare ineffective?
Early in the war, soldiers would leave the trenches to storm the enemy's trenches. This tactic was ultimately unsuccessful; it was too easy for troops fortified in a trench to kill attackers. them – they were still in danger from shellings and poison gas, even if they were not actively fighting.
Did soldiers sleep in the trenches?
Daily life
Most activity in front line trenches took place at night under cover of darkness. During daytime soldiers would try to get some rest, but were usually only able to sleep for a few hours at a time.