World War II Foxhole at Carlisle Army War College

This is a picture of a replica of a World War II “foxhole” at the Carlisle Army War College.  Even though World War II was fought less than 30 years after World War I, the way the war was fought was completely different.  Now, tanks and artillery were produced on a mass scale and lines moves so quickly that fully protected trenches were usually unable to be made.  When troops needed to hold a position, many times they dug small holes or “foxholes” to protect themselves.  These could be made to fit as many men as necessary because each soldier in the U.S. was issued a shovel for this purpose.  This “foxhole” is fully equipped with a Browning .30 Caliber Machine Gun with shoulder stock, and probably would have fit two to three people.  There is also some straw placed in the bottom which could have come from any nearby field or barn.  This would make living in dirt a little more comfortable and would hold body heat better than plain ground.  If it would rain, the straw would also hold the dirt together better and there would be less of a chance of the hole caving in.  One real problem of “foxholes” was the fear of getting trench-foot.  Trench-foot is a real disease that is caused from having wet feet covered in mud for a prolonged period of time.  It can be prevented by keeping feet dry and clean, usually by cleaning them and keeping your boots tight.