The First World War saw some of the most brutal combat in human history.
One aspect of the war on the Western Front was the extensive trench warfare.
Soldiers selected for infiltrating the enemy positions would carry out reconnaissance and raids similar to guerrilla warfare.
The front line: a German forward trench in 1918. Dugouts with protected roofs are seen at the left. Image: NARA
Laemlein details the men, methods and weapons used by trench raiders here.
World War I introduced a wide range of advanced weapons and killing technology for the violence of the 20thcentury.
Who Were the Trench Raiders?
U.S. troops carry sacks of grenades into position in preparation of the evening’s trench raid. A WW1 trench raider would frequently carry as many grenades as they could.
Weapons of Trench Warfare
Trench raiders of all nations equipped themselves with every manner of specialized tools.
Most of these clubs and bats were made by the raiders themselves from materials available at hand.
Another common weapon was the sharpened spade or entrenching tool.
A doughboy with an M1911 semi-automatic pistol on the edge of the Forest of Argonne in early October 1918. This was the location of the Lost Battalion.
Hatchets, bayonets, short-swords, and even brass knuckles were used.
Short range firepower was essential for the trench raiders, and so pistols were highly prized.
Handguns of almost every description were carried, and many raiders carried more than one.
William Bradford Turner quickly proved his worth in the trenches of World War I.
Little could match the man-stopping power of the .45 ACP slugs.
Even so, the U.S. trench guns made their mark in WWI.
Turner was from Garden City, New York, and was a 1914 graduate of Williams College.
Men of the 27thDivision decorated shortly after the war. Note the M1911 pistol and magazine pouches.
He had been a tremendous athlete at Williams College, lettering in football, basketball, and baseball.
His unit returned to New York and was decommissioned in December 1916.
Turners regiment deployed to France as part of the 27thInfantry Division.
The U.S. M1917 trench knife with a triangular blade and “knuckleduster” handguard. The blade was specifically developed to pierce the heavy wool German overcoat.
In the process, they swapped their U.S.M1903 Springfield .30-06 riflesfor British SMLE .303 rifles.
However, they kept their M1911 pistols.
Our own division is getting along well and I hope before long we shall get into a real fight.
The Mark I trench knife was developed in 1918 and features a short, traditional blade, a spiked knuckleduster handguard, and a stout “skull-crusher” on the butt of the pommel.
Everyone must kill at least one Hun before he will have paid for his transportation.
Turner was eventually killed in the fourth trench line defending against a German counterattack.
For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Close combat weapons of World War I trench warfare, such as thesetrench clubs, often resembled the fighting tools of medieval times.
They advanced under a severe bombing.
This was composed of thirty men and was commanded by Lieutenant Turner.
Fortunately, Lieutenant Turner did see the flash.
TheMil-Spec 1911from Springfield Armory carries on the tradition of theWWI-era M1911.
Then they reached the first trench.
Mr. Turner was a very powerful athlete, having been a Williams College football player.
Then the platoon had a respite.
But the rest was very short.
The men climbed out of the trench and went for the second line, the support trench.
The advance was too fierce for the Boches, who abandoned their guns and retreated.
And then the boys gained the third trench.
Here they were reorganized and took time to get their wind.
Then they started for the fourth trench.
Lieutenant Turner saw that there was only one thing to do.
We cant hold this position, we have to go back, he told his men.
The plight of the fourth platoon was certainly pitiful and Lieutenant Turner realized the seriousness of the position.
For his wonderful work he was voted a posthumous Congressional Medal.
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