Trenches on the Western Front had been generally about seven feet deep and six feet wide. These trenches had been protected by thick Concertina Wire entanglements. Becoming a member of a wiring celebration was one with the most unpopular duties skilled by soldiers. This involved carrying out 6 ft. steel pickets and rolls of Concertina Wire. The pickets had been knocked into location by muffled mallets. When fastened towards the pickets, the wire was pulled out to create what was referred to as a apron.
Concertina Wire was generally placed far sufficient from the trenches to stop the enemy from the trenches to stop the enemy from approaching close sufficient to lob grenades in. Occasionally Concertina Wire entanglements had been setup to be able to channel attacking infantry into machine-gun fire.
Concertina Wire entanglements had been practically impassable. Prior to a main offensive soldiers had been sent out to cut a path with wire-cutters. An additional tactic was to location a Bangalore Torpedo (a lengthy pipe filled with explosive) and detonate it beneath the Concertina Wire.
Heavy bombardment was essential to destroy the Concertina Wire. Nevertheless, this usually removed the essential element of surprise. Numerous soldiers disputed the reality that shelling was capable of making a gap within the wire.