Birdcages at Helles

[emrezmen]

Hello

As known by all those who have a particular interest in Helles front of Gallipoli, some parts of the British frontline near Gully Ravine were called "birdcage" (Western Birdcage, Eastern Birdcage). Can someone provide information regarding the reason behind this naming? Is it perhaps linked to the resemblance of these trench systems to a birdcage when viewed from above?

[TullochArd]

The Salonika Force had a contemporary and identically named area.  LLT tells us 'The troops often called it the “Birdcage”, as the line was thick with barbed wire defences.'   Indeed, Captain Noel Drury 6 RDF states in his diary 'The wire entanglements are wonderful and I hear that we have used no less than 1,000 miles of wire per mile of front.’

Maybe the same idea?

Edited 6 January by TullochArd

[michaeldr]

Hi Emre,
This is not a great photograph https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205047636 
However, it does suggest that the name 'Birdcage' was used because of the wire construction put up above the trench protecting it from falling bombs [hand-grenades]

regards, Michael

[TullochArd]

6 hours ago, michaeldr said:

However, it does suggest that the name 'Birdcage' was used because of the wire construction put up above the trench protecting it from falling bombs [hand-grenades]

The photo does the trick michaeldr and proves the point that limited sections of trenches were protected that way.  There must have been local tactical considerations made between trapping the defenders and restricting their defensive response with thwarting enemy activity.  Although the mighty Wiki suggests that the purpose was to provide protection from grenades that would not be the main reason.  Netting was one more measure used to restrict enemy access to the security of your trench and prevent him running amok from within.  You (and flanking troops) can shoot through wire netting at an enemy caught exposed on the parapet attempting to drop  into the trench.

I can well imagine this occasional overhead protection tied in with tightly laid outer and defensive wire entanglements bolstered by inevitable Trench Blocks would certainly give the illusion of living in a Birdcage.

[michaeldr]

The photograph is useful to the extent that it shows the frames for the wire-netting propped up at an angle +/- 45º. 
This would ensure that the Ottoman grenades [often of the cricket ball type] would roll back down and forward of the parapet. Thus they would not be stuck above the heads of the men defending the trench. A grenade blast over head could well be fatal, whereas one beyond the parapet might not cause any real harm inside the trench. 

see also:- https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C117699

The Turkish 1914 model hand grenade, better known to the Australians as a ‘cricket ball’ grenade, was developed by Tufenidjieff, according to an August 1915 translation of a Turkish handbook by the Intelligence section of the Headquarters Unit, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Manufactured by the Kalafat Yeri Foundries at Constantinople, they formed an essential part of the Turkish Army’s capability.

The spherical bodies of these grenades were about 73 mm in circumference and made from cast iron, the body being divided into equal rectangles and dimpled on the insides to assist fragmentation. They were filled with 100 grams of TNT (described in the translation as ‘Bombiet’ by the Turks) and provided with a fuse protected by a copper tube; the fuse – 2 grams of fulminate of mercury - is lit by a friction material, described in the booklet as being similar to that “put outside the safety match boxes”. The fuse is capped on the exterior by a screwed bronze cover provided with a belt hook.

[TullochArd]

39 minutes ago, michaeldr said:

The photograph is useful to the extent that it shows the frames for the wire-netting propped up at an angle +/- 45º. 

Most interesting........TVM for the detailed insight.  A most effective and obvious solution where trenches were within grenade lobbing range.

Edited 7 January by TullochArd

[michaeldr]

2 hours ago, michaeldr said:

the fuse – 2 grams of fulminate of mercury - is lit by a friction material, described in the booklet as being similar to that “put outside the safety match boxes”.

This Turkish soldier holds a 'cricket ball' bomb in his left hand and on his left breast I believe that we see the patch of friction material used to light the fuse.

Edited 7 January by michaeldr

[emrezmen]

Many thanks for your very useful replies. It all makes sense.

[michaeldr]

There is another description (and name) for this wire made bomb/grenade protection in the diary of Capt. George Pirie RAMC edited by Michael Lucas and published as 'Frontline Medic'

see p. 71 and the entry for 18th August 1915 " ... ... We hold a barricade in our line of trenches which only separates us from the Turks by 25 yards and there are great bombing contests. As a protection to our men in the barricades we have overhead screens made of netting wire so when the bomb strikes the screen it just bounces off and bursts outside the barricade. Major Guyon is very amusing about the barricade. He calls it the rabbit hutch. ..."

[14276265]

The anti-grenade netting as shown in the IWM image linked by michaeldr was described in "Notes on Field Defences, 1914", thus:

 

 265

[TullochArd]

44 minutes ago, 14276265 said:

The anti-grenade netting as shown in the IWM image linked by michaeldr was described in "Notes on Field Defences, 1914", 

...... now that is a fantastic connection 14276265 ...... most interesting ..... the caveats make a lot of sense.

Edited 14 January by TullochArd

[michaeldr]

12 hours ago, TullochArd said:

now that is a fantastic connection 14276265 ...... most interesting ..... the caveats make a lot of sense.

Seconded! And very grateful for your pointing out this ref

Michael

[michaeldr]

On 06/01/2024 at 18:40, emrezmen said:

some parts of the British frontline near Gully Ravine were called "birdcage" (Western Birdcage, Eastern Birdcage).

Positions of the Birdcages are shown in feint pencil on this map;

Western Birdcage indicated by red arrow pointing left

& Eastern Birdcage by red arrow pointing down

[TullochArd]

1 hour ago, michaeldr said:

Positions of the Birdcages are shown in feint pencil on this 

Now we are talking......J12 and H12 "birdcages" have a limited geographical significance but when put in the tactical context of 14276265's excellent  contribution have a significant tactical relevance.