How did soldiers feel about going over the top?
Most soldiers in the Great War must have felt the same way about orders to go ‘over the top’. For them it meant leaving the safety of their trenches and attacking the enemy.
What did the term over the top mean to front line soldiers?
The military leaders on both sides struggled with devising effective new tactics to deal with the realities of this kind of warfare. All too often, soldiers were simply sent “over the top” to charge the enemy trenches head-on in attacks that cost many lives and resulted in no significant gains.
Why did soldiers keep diaries in ww1?
For many who served during World War I, keeping a diary offered an outlet, a place into which they could unload their fears and frustrations. Today, these diaries stand as unparalleled historic documents, providing readers with a wealth of information about the day-to-day lives of service members.
Why did men go over the top in ww1?
In order to attack opposing trench lines, infantry were required to climb over the barrier of their own trench and cross “no man’s land”. Going “over the top” meant taking ground from the enemy to have a better place to fight. Going “over the top” was a good attempt at ending a stalemate war.
What does going over the top mean?
: extremely or excessively flamboyant or outrageous an over-the-top performance.
What did ww1 soldiers do for fun?
In their spare time, soldiers wrote letters and diaries, drew sketches, read books and magazines, pursued hobbies, played cards or gambled. There were also opportunities for more-organised social activities.
How does shell shock feel?
The term “shell shock” was coined by the soldiers themselves. Symptoms included fatigue, tremor, confusion, nightmares and impaired sight and hearing. It was often diagnosed when a soldier was unable to function and no obvious cause could be identified.
What did it mean to go over the top during World war 1?
Men ordered to attack – or ‘go over the top’ – had to climb out of their trenches, carrying their weapons and heavy equipment, and move through the enemy’s ‘field of fire’ over complex networks of barbed wire, keeping low to the ground for safety.
Where did over the top come from?
The phrase over the top has an interesting origin. The expression originated during World War I to describe the action of emerging from the trenches to charge across an open area to attack the enemy. The invention of the phrase is attributed to British soldiers.