The trench of death: What’s in a name,1914-1918

Abstract

During the Great War, hundreds of kilometres of trenches were indicated on maps. The names are extremely diverse and some of them can be more easily explained than others. The name of the most famous Belgian trench, the Trench of Death, has never been examined. It is generally accepted that the name reflects the large number of lives lost in the trench. Research reveals that the name appeared in June 1915, a point in time when casualties were only few. The name is indicative for the dangerous circumstances experienced in this very spot and for Belgian casualties left behind.