During the First World War, trenches were the main defence against infantry and artillery assaults. They were so effective that a stalemate existed for most of the war, as neither side could mount a successful breakthrough against the opposing trenches. This was the case at Gallipoli in 1915 where both sides launched offensives – the Turks in May and the Allies in August – that failed to significantly change the front line that had been established in the first week of the campaign.
A range of defensive elements were added to the trenches. This included a parapet (built-up section at the front) and a parados (at the rear) that protected soldiers from snipers, machine-gun fire and artillery. Loopholes were fixed into the front line trenches, barbed wire was strung out between opposing sides in no man's land and wire netting was installed to deflect bombs. Dugouts and tunnels were constructed to provide protection from artillery bombardments.
