Author Description

This manual summarises the state of the art after the First World War, and includes no fewer than 175 plates with a range of diagrams of the most significant value. It examines the general principles underlying field fortifications, and explains why they are needed. Emphasis is placed on the need for defences in the field against artillery, gas, mines and aircraft: all lessons learned in the First War. There follows a great deal of valuable detail on how and where to site trenches, both for infantry and machine guns. The real meat comes in the long section dealing with the trenches themselves and fire positions, and how to establish a defensive system. Camouflage is included in this section of the book. The detail in the book is quite remarkable, and covers other matters of importance, such as bridging, accommodation in the field, communications and demolition s, and there is a special section on land mines and traps.