Monday, 29 February 2016

Thaw



Tuesday 29th February 1916: Generally after heavy snow a thaw is to be welcomed, meaning temperatures are rising. In the trenches, however, it brings a whole new set of problems. As the snow turns to cold water that in turn converts frozen soil into sloppy mud. This can be several feet deep making walking, or wading, very difficult. Perhaps worse, it causes trench sides to collapse meaning they have to be shored up with corrugated iron. This, the adjutant of 2nd Battalion, tells us is what is happening at the moment. He felt constrained by decency not to say too much more.

Source: X550/3/wd

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