Trench Warfare

The allies and the Germans used the tactic of Trench Warfare in World War I for both offensive and defensive operations. Other technologies, tactics, and options were underused or ignored. This came at a very high cost to both sides. The costs were obvious from the beginning, but the armies were stuck in a Trench mindset. Leaders ignored the options and failed to utilize more efficient means when the means were available. Trench Warfare was not new, but its usefulness was gone before the war began. To understand the mistakes that were made we must look at the history, strategy, key battles, and the distinct disadvantages.