Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Trenches
The machine gun and mass artillery of World War One combat dictated an extensive development on both side of below ground fortifications that were simply known as the ‘Trenches”. Ranging from concrete structures to simple ditches, these systems allowed for secure movement of troops and supplies as well as providing facilities to defend and launch attacks. Soldier often spent many long days and nights in these trenches, enduring enemy fire, poison gas attacks as well as the elements. As you walk through the trench, see if you can identify the features that one would have found in any trench in World War One.
The trench system that we entered… had been stable since 1915, and both sides were deeply dug in, with extensive communication trenches, second-line trenches, belts of barbed-wire entangles, dugouts, and protected gun emplacements… Many of the trees had been broken by shell bursts in the past and the land was pitted with shell holes, partly eroded, and overgrown with weeds.
Private Donald D. Kyler
Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 12.383′ N, 77° 9.503′ W. Marker was near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It was in Middlesex Township. Marker could be reached from Army Heritage Drive. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Meet Private Donald D. Kyler (here, next to this marker); They Called Them "Hellcats" (a few steps from this marker); No Man's Land (within shouting distance of this marker); Machine Gun Post (within shouting distance of this marker); Splinter Proof (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Trenches (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mortar Pit (within shouting distance of this marker); Sniper's Nest (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.
More about this marker. Part of the Meet Pvt. Kyler/ World War I Trench System Exhibit.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Also see . . . Trench warfare. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 15, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 3, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.