Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-10-28
TULSA DAILY WORLD, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2S, 1917

defenders bear the brunt OF the battle.
Behind these is the supporting line.
which holds the reserve forces and
from which counter attacks are
launched when the first lines are cap
tured. The construction of the whole
scheme OF defense is such that the
supporting line controls the first lines
ana could sweep the enemy with shell
and machine gun fire In case he comes
over the tops and takes the first lines.
Bomb-Proof shelters.
Behind the last line of defense are
the dugouts and bomb proof shelters
where the men sleep when not in the
trenches. When the last line is in
danger the army retreats TO another
similar position, several miles to the
rear. This forces the enemy to move
up and change the positions Of all his
guns which are thrown out Of range
by the retreat.
In front of the trenches are wire en-
tanglements, hurdles and barriers of
all descriptions which hinder the ad-
vance of an attacking force and expose
IL to the machine gun and rifle fire
of the defenders. In their construc-
tion, also. the Doniphan men are
learning the latest vogue Of wartime.
In trench construction as in the
other methods of offensive and de-
fensive fighting, camouflage is an i'm
Vurtant factor AS far MS possible the
trenches are hidden from view, par
ticularly from the front. Fresh dirt,
thrown in front of the trenches, is al
ways tell-tale, and must be toned down
to blend with the surroundings. Grass.
barriers of dirt TO give blending tone,
tanSplanting Of trees and shrubs ana
grass punches are some OF the methods
OF deception. This important devel-
Opment in warfare has brought about
the camouflage artist and there are
several among the engineers who di-
rect the work. From reasonable dis
tances the lines of trenches are NOT
visible to the naked eye.
Quarters for the men and supplies
are behind the lines. They are deliv-
cred to the several trenches thru the
communication trenches These are
designated as "in" trenches and "out''
trenches and the traffic laws govern
ing their use is very strict. Clothes,
food, ammunition and fresh men come
in thru one trench. Wounded men
and carriers Of supplies return to the
rear thru another. The location OF
these communicating lines. wherever
possible Is such that the natural pro-
lection of the topography is used 10
the greatest advantage. Draws, ra-
vines. stream beds and other forma-
tions are used for the protection they
give.
Obstacles Essential.
Obstacles, including hurdles, entan-
clements and barriers of all descrip-
tions are a second essential and view
is the third The last is extremely
important. Aeroplane and balloon OBJ
servation, sometimes high point with
a lookout and less frequently scouts
ana reconoitering parties inform ine
entrenched army of the activities of
the enemy. a more local method when
the armies are fighting with first line
trenches together and ''no-man's land
cut down to narrow strip, is the
listening trench. This extends directly
out from the first line in the direction
of the enemy's first lines. and in the
cover of darkness detachments go out
to determine the activities OF the foe.
They watch for surprise attacks and
wire cutting expeditions and attempts
| to burrow under and mine their
! trenches. When lines are advanced by
night digging, the men go out thru
the listening trenches and dig in. Then
the listening trenches are communi-
eating trenches and other listening
posts must be built.
In trench construction the engineers
ARE the pathfinders. Their work comes