PhilB Posted 8 November , 2013 Share Posted 8 November , 2013 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html I know that conditions in trenches were often terrible. I`ve spoken to enough survivors to know how bad it got. They were wet through for days. I do wonder though to what extent the "up to the waist" description can be taken as typical. Soldiers are good at making the best of conditions and no man would stay in mud or water up to the waist any longer than necessary. And just how long could a man without waders be immersed to the waist in cold water without serious problems? And would wearing waders make it bearable for extended times? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaforths Posted 8 November , 2013 Share Posted 8 November , 2013 I would expect the frequency to be dictated by location, time of year and weather conditions. You are quite right no-one would want to spend long up to the waist in mud and water but of the incidents I have read, they didn't have a choice and had to wait for assistance to extricate them as they were stuck fast and couldn't get out unaided. Some were sucked under and many drowned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 8 November , 2013 Share Posted 8 November , 2013 I think I have read and seen pics of soldiers in rubber waders. Whether these wer issued when conditions worstened or before they went in I am not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaforths Posted 9 November , 2013 Share Posted 9 November , 2013 I think I have read and seen pics of soldiers in rubber waders. Whether these wer issued when conditions worstened or before they went in I am not sure. They did try issuing trews or trousers and wellies in the trenches at one time (to kilted troops) but they were deemed as pretty useless as the mud was much higher and the wellies were sucked off the feet much easier than boots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 9 November , 2013 Share Posted 9 November , 2013 They did try issuing trews or trousers and wellies in the trenches at one time (to kilted troops) but they were deemed as pretty useless as the mud was much higher and the wellies were sucked off the feet much easier than boots. I think they were waders, secured overthe shoulders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 9 November , 2013 Author Share Posted 9 November , 2013 Post #1 actually showed 4 men in a flooded trench in (I assume) waist high waders. The link has now changed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaforths Posted 9 November , 2013 Share Posted 9 November , 2013 I think they were waders, secured overthe shoulders. Perhaps both were used by different troops at different times but wellingtons were certainly issued, used and abandoned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 9 November , 2013 Share Posted 9 November , 2013 Perhaps both were used by different troops at different times but wellingtons were certainly issued, used and abandoned. Maybe replaced by waders?!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaforths Posted 9 November , 2013 Share Posted 9 November , 2013 Maybe replaced by waders?!! Not that I have seen. They didn't stay in the trousers long and reverted back to kilts as the bare legs were easier to scrape off the mud and clean. I can't see them wearing waders with kilts nor seen that mentioned. However the great thing about The Forum is that someone can always come up with the unexpected Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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