Post date: Nov 12, 2012 1:9:30 PM
UK-WWI/Trench -- UK historian recreates trench to highlight plight of soldiers in WW I
China Central Television (CCTV) - A former history teacher in the United Kingdom recently recreated a trench to highlight the plight of soldiers who fought in World War I (1914-1918).
The 60-feet long trench was completed by Andy Robertshaw in his back garden in Surrey County ofsoutheastern England.
The 55-year-old, along with 30 helpers, spent a month shifting around 200 tons of earth to build the three-room trench, which he hopes will teach people more about the horrific living conditions endured by British troops during the Great War.Robertshaw, who acted as a military adviser on the Steven Spielberg epic film War Horse, even spent 24 hours living in its confines with a team of volunteers as part of his efforts to experience life as a WWI soldier.
They dressed up in replica uniforms and used rifles to fire blanks into the countryside during their stint in the trench.
"If you get three or four hours sleep a day, you're doing well. You sleep in the afternoon, you're working all night, you're nocturnal. If it's wet, you're wet, it's cold, you're cold. If the trenches are full of mud, then your feet get soaked, and it's just a point where you've got bone-numbing coldness. I mean yes, you might get shot, you might get blown up, but for the most these guys, it was just that tedium of being exhausted," Robertshaw said.
More downloads available at http://newscontent.cctv.com
For any questions please call +86-10-63969499, or email [email protected]. If you want to learn more, please go to the CCTV website at http://newscontent.cctv.com.
© Copyright CCTV. The content in this story, including video and script is provided by China Central Television (CCTV) and is copyright CCTV. Thomson Reuters does not guarantee the accuracy of, or endorse the views or opinions given in, this package. THIS STATEMENT SUPERSEDES ALL OTHER STATEMENTS RELATING TO COPYRIGHT ATTACHED TO THIS CONTENT.