Mr. J. S. Smith, the author of this book, is an American, born in Philadelphia, who enlisted in the 29th Vancouver Battalion in the fall of 1914. He saw service along the Belgian front, and in August 1916 was given a commission in the British Army. He is now (June, 1917) serving with the British Expeditionary Force on the French front. CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION vii LOCATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF TRENCHES 1 DUGOUTS 19 RESISTANCE OF ROOFING MATERIALS 24 DUMPS 25 LATRINES 27 REVETMENTS 28 Sand Bags 29 Corrugated Iron 32 Fire Platforms 34 TRAVERSES 36 LISTENING POSTS 38 OBSERVATION POSTS 43 Loopholes for firing 43 SUPPORT TRENCHES AND SUPPORT DUGOUTS 45 SUPPORT POINTS 46 RESERVE DUGOUTS 47 SECOND LINE 47 COMMUNICATION TRENCHES 48 SKETCH OF TRENCH SYSTEM 56 Section I 56 Section II 58 Section III 63 Section IV 67 TELEPHONE LINES 68 RECESSES 69 NOTICE BOARDS 70 TRENCH DRAINAGE 72 FLOORBOARDS 77 BRUSHWOOD AND STRAW 79 WORKING PARTIES 80 RELIEFS 81 TRAVERSED FIRE TRENCHES 83 OBSTACLES AND ENTANGLEMENTS 84