World War One Comprehensions We continue with our series of comprehensions on World War One with two sets of pages on the trenches and the Battle of the Somme. Whilst the First World War was fought on land, sea and in the air, the most dangerous position to be in was at the Front Line. This was where a line of Allied (British and French) soldiers faced a line of Axis (German and Austrian) soldiers. Both sides were trying to move forward in order to gain ground. The most infamous Front Line in the history of Trench Warfare was the Western Front during the First World War. It stretched for approximately 450 miles (724 km) from the coast north of Ypres in Belgium down to the border of Switzerland. It took a very long time, sometimes months, for either side to gain any ground at all so the soldiers dug trenches (narrow ditches) to protect themselves from enemy fire. The ground between the Allies and Axis trenches was called ‘No Man’s Land’, meaning that it belonged to neither side. The first trenches on the Western Front were dug in 1914 and were quite basic, but by the end of 1914 more complex trenches were constructed as it was becoming obvious that the fronts were not moving. The Battle of the Somme was an infamous battle between the Allies (British and French armies) and the German army during the First World War. It was one of the largest battles of WW1 and resulted in more than 1 000 000 soldiers being killed or wounded. It took place on either side of the River Somme in France; beginning on July 1st 1916 and lasting for 4½ months, finally ending on November 18th 1916. These World War One pages provide clear and concise summaries as well as being an excellent starting point for further research. Go to World War One comprehensions