So, you want to storm a Trench?

Attend a free talk on Australia’s involvement in WWI trench warfare, discussing tactics, technologies and the human experience.

Few things are more central to our popular memory of the Western Front in World War I than the trench. Trench warfare, with its mud and men going ‘over the top’, is frequently depicted in photography, cinema, games and literature about the war. Yet, the planning and engineering that shaped the battlefields is often simplified or omitted from such media. The trenches were muddy and rat-infested, but they were also a prepared and layered warren of crenelations, hard points, listening posts and bunkers. Likewise, battlefield advances involved highly detailed firing plans of creeping and box barrages, observation and strafing by aircraft, and grenadier teams.

This talk draws on archival material, published histories and personal stories to explore the practical realities of trench warfare on the Western Front in World War I. It will cover how the design of trenches developed over the war alongside methods for assaulting them. How soldiers were equipped and trained for trench warfare, and how they described their experiences. And it will shed light on why the Western Front was so deadly, despite tactical and mechanical innovations aimed at breaking the stalemate.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to storm a trench, this is the guide for you.

After the talk, visitors can stay to explore the Memorial Galleries - embarking on an interactive journey from the First World War to today, before taking time to reflect on the remarkable stories of bravery and sacrifice in the tranquil parklands.

Anzac Square Memorial Galleries is located at 285 Ann Street, Brisbane. Entry is through the double brass doors located beneath the Shrine of Remembrance.

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