Mud

What was the effect of mud on the Western Front?

Much of the Western Front lay on farmland, which became very muddy in rain. The mud also contained manure and fertilisers. Soldiers had to stand and live in wet, muddy conditions for long periods of time.

What problems did mud cause to medical staff in the First World War?

The mud caused 3 main problems for the medical staff:

• ❖ Trench foot was a condition caused by prolonged exposure to the damp and cold. Soldiers' feet were frequently soaked and immersed in mud and water, and could not be dried. The skin rotted, which was incredibly painful, and sometimes led to amputation.
• ❖ Mud could enter soldiers' bodies and wounds along with bullets or shrapnel, causing infection.
• ❖ Explosives churned up the land. Many soldiers were drowned and lost in the deep churned mud.