Sometimes Flooded Trenches are a Blessing

Thursday 14th January 1915: readers will be aware that, at the moment, the trenches in France and Belgium are in a terrible state owing to constant rain. Many have become small streams. As can be imagined this makes Tommy Atkins curse as he is never dry or warm in them.

Sometimes, however, this can be a blessing in disguise. We have spoke with the adjutant of the 1st Bedfords today, who tells us that the right hand section of trenches where the battalion is stationed, near Wulvergem, have been shelled by the enemy. These trenches are completely waterlogged and thus not manned, so all the German shells did was to make the water ripple.

Source: X550/2/5