World War I: Trench Warfare Remake

2nd Platoon before the charge

Sergeant Miller

Corporal Krakowski

Private Wilson

Private Bravo

*World War I: Trench Warfare Remake* is a recreation of the dudes first ever video, *World War I: Trench Warfare*. The idea to redo this classic video arose in early 2020 when Jack wrote a script for the project after he desired to create a new *War Series* video featuring better camera quality, better effects, and a better display of militaria. Wishing to capture the spirit of the original video, the old script is incorporated almost in full with the addition of new lines and characters to make a nice blend of an old and new style video. The video was successfully filmed in just 3 hours following a short day of trench building and organizing uniforms.

## Plot

The video begins in November, 1918 during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The Doughboys can be seen digging tunnels in their trench when Lieutenant Bushido comes up next to Captain Indiana, making a single strike with his pickaxe into the dirt before deciding to take a break. The two discuss the general role of officers in the war as well as a strange encounter Bushido experienced where he saw a rat the size of a bear which he believed was placed in the trench by the Germans. Captain Indiana remarks how their comrade Johnston died to such a beast, before the subject is changed about the wellbeing of 2nd Platoon. Bushido states the men have high moral and seem to almost enjoy being in the war.

The focus then changes to Sergeant Miller, Private Wilson, Private Bravo, and Corporal Krakowski sitting next to the trench. The band of brothers discuss a variety of topics such as just what a Belgian is as well as what weapons they think are the best for trench warfare. While this occurs a pair of Germans are seen sneaking up close to the trench, before pulling back and tossing a grenade. The enlisted men are ultimately unfazed by the appearance of the grenade as they each make a witty comment about its arrival. Private Bravo throws it back to the Germans who can be heard yelling in fear at the return of this explosive device. Indiana and Bushido are then seen again sitting up by the trench wall when they hear the grenade but do not pay much attention to it. Indiana then remarks how all his socks are soaked which leads him and the Lieutenant to draw the conclusion that the Germans where the ones who wet them. This leads the Captain to call a raid leading to Lieutenant Bushido calling the men of 2nd platoon into formation in order to take a roll call. When going through the list Bushido remembers Johnston's demise and questions the age of Private Bravo who is clearly a child, yet the boy satisfies his commanding officer with the reply of 18 years old. Bushido finishes the list on Stevens who Krakowski reports was last seen in no man's land, leading to Bushido simply writing MIA. Bushido then briefs the men about the attack and they prepare to charge.

Following the return of Captain Indiana after notifying the other section leaders about the raid, he joins the men of 2nd platoon up at the trench and leads the charge. The men dodge rifle and machine gun fire making it through no man's land largely unscathed besides Wilson who is hit in the arm. A German throws a grenade which lands directly at the Captains feet causing him to order the men to fall back. They carry Wilson off the field and everyone jumps back into the trench. Wilson is able to healed after Sergeant Miller rubs some dirt on his wounds, which works since he is a main character. Krakowski remarks how he bagged two Germans while Bravo says he could only hit one in the balls. Krakowski then states how he heard from Stevens how Johnston got shot in the balls, and the 4 men try to recall just where Stevens went. This remains unanswered.

On another day Captain Indiana is seen sitting alone by the trench when Lieutenant Bushido runs up to inform him how he heard they could push the trench across no man's land to get to the other side. Indiana exclaims "By Jove I think you may be right!", then calls the enlisted men to help push the trench. All the men try their best but are unable to make any progress. Private Bravo stops and points out to the Captain how this will not work, so Indiana calls off the endeavor. Bushido, who was exited to go on the attack, asks the Captain to join him on a quick raid to which he agrees. As the two begin to stand up a bullet dings off Indiana's helmet firmly changing his mind. Bushido asks why to which Indiana says the weather is not ideal and his socks are too wet, revealing he most likely has trench foot. Indiana also shows Bushido how he found their deceased comrade Johnston's hat, to which Bushido recalls the Private had lice causing the Captain to chuck the hat into the field. The Captain states how he firmly will not join the Lieutenant for a raid before attempting to get a shot at a German machine gunner. The Captain believes he hit his target prompting him to stand up when he is suddenly shot in the head killing him instantly. He falls into Bushido's arms sending the Lieutenant into a panic as he seems to deny the death of his close friend. He states how he's going to get his buddy Jackaboy some water before running off screen, screaming for a medic.

Bushido descends into Shell Shock as he deals with the gripping reality that his closest friend in the war was killed leading to him manically talking to himself while curled up into a ball. Now the sole commanding officer, he is in charge of leading the men into battle as an attack is prepared on November 11. The enlisted men run up to the Lieutenant as he is in the middle of a terrible PTSD episode attempting to get his attention. The funky hand movements of Corporal Krakowski snap the Lieutenant back into reality and he is able to lead the charge. The Doughboys charge is met by the Germans in the field as the opposing sides enter close quarters melee combat. Fighting is chaotic and sporadic as men are running around all over the fighting fiercely. Bushido is nearly killed after a German knocks his helmet over his eyes but Sergeant Miller is able to save him by lifting the helmet back up. Bushido soon after takes the rifle from a charging German and goes to shoot him when he suddenly realizes it is 11:00 on his watch, the end of the war. Bushido lifts the man up and wishes him better luck in the next war. The two sides give each other high fives for a good game and go their separate ways. The German spared by the time goes up to his friend stating how they can finally go home at last. This man then turns around stating "for now", revealing with his small mustache that he is Adolf Hitler, and will soon begin a second world war.

## Trivia

- Jack had the script finished around March of 2020 and had hoped to film during the extra Spring break caused by the pandemic. After everything shut down thought it was decided for the collective health of the dudes to perhaps wait to film it, leading to his creation in December later on.

- The only genuine WWI Doughboy helmet in the video is worn by Jack. Eric wears an early WW2 US Kelly Helmet, John a WW2 Canadian Brodie, and the rest are WW2 British Brodies. The Germans however all have genuine WWI stahlhelms with Jack and Larissa's being the Austro-Hungarian produced variant, while Andrews is an actual German one. Linnea on the other hand wears a reproduction leather pickelhaube.

- Stevens was originally going to appear in the video as a soldier who was just hanging out in the craters of No Man's Land and he was going to be played by Michael. After Jesse could not come however, Michael took over his role as it was more important, and Stevens was simply cut out of the video. Some of the original dialogue involving the soldier remains giving the false impression he will soon appear. One example is when the enlisted men question where Stevens went following their raid which was originally then supposed to cut to a scene showing Stevens stabbing a German soldier in his crater.

Digging the trenchThat's how Johnston diedTypical day in the trenchIn formationHans Look!The chargeThe wallDeath of JackShell ShockMagic handsGerman defendersClose combatIt's 11:00Good gameHitler