Trench warfare in the UK: Stunning aerial picture shows the defence network build to stop Germans invading in the FIRST World War

  • Aerial photos have revealed the extent of the network of trenches dug during WW1 at Larkhill in Wiltshire
  • The site was one of many around the UK - particularly on south and east coasts - built as invasion defences
  • Historic England is publishing a study on First World War home defence network this week  

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Amazing aerial pictures have revealed the network of trenches built to stop a German invasion during the First World War.

A major survey by Historic England has shed new light on the resources committed to defending against potential attacks on England's eastern and southern coasts – with tunnels built around Larkhill in Wiltshire for just such a purpose.

Earlier this year builders clearing army land at Larkhill discovered the vast trenches, which were also dug to train troops heading out to the battlefields in France and Belgium.

A new study by Historic England has revealed the full extent of a network of trenches and tunnels built at sites around the UK to prepare for an invasion by Germany during the First World War. This aerial show shows the outline of tunnels built at Larkhill in Wiltshire, with the tunnels highlighted thanks to a chalk filling

A new study by Historic England has revealed the full extent of a network of trenches and tunnels built at sites around the UK to prepare for an invasion by Germany during the First World War. This aerial show shows the outline of tunnels built at Larkhill in Wiltshire, with the tunnels highlighted thanks to a chalk filling

Trench networks such as this one at Larkhill, pictured, were set up around the south and east coast of the UK to support ports and naval bases after 1914 and were also used to train soldiers heading out to the battlefields of France and Belgium. They also unveiled a treasure trove of historical artefacts from weapons to the sweets and cigarettes enjoyed by troops

Trench networks such as this one at Larkhill, pictured, were set up around the south and east coast of the UK to support ports and naval bases after 1914 and were also used to train soldiers heading out to the battlefields of France and Belgium. They also unveiled a treasure trove of historical artefacts from weapons to the sweets and cigarettes enjoyed by troops

Archaeologists and historians have had access to the sites, including Larkhill, pictured, and said that although the threat of invasion was not as 'imminent' as it was during the Second World War, there was a 'very real' fear among the population that Germany could launch an attack

Archaeologists and historians have had access to the sites, including Larkhill, pictured, and said that although the threat of invasion was not as 'imminent' as it was during the Second World War, there was a 'very real' fear among the population that Germany could launch an attack

Archaeologists examining the site found more than 100 live grenades as well as soldiers' cigarettes, sweets and tins.

Historic England said the survey identified 26 ports and naval bases around the south that were 'strategically important' as well as sites with trenches to be used as a 'home defence network'.

Archaeologist Martin Brown, who led the research for Historic England, told The Guardian: 'The threat in the Second World War was much more significant and plausible because the European toe-hold was lost, for example, and there was a lot more building in the face of an imminent threat, which obscures what happened in 1914.

'But we can fail to appreciate the threat as people in 1914 saw it. There's a sort of comedy element today when we might think of Zeppelin raids for example, but my grandmother and great-grandmother were in Hull when it was bombed and they were genuinely terrified.'

The Larkhill site was investigated by archaeologists from Wessex Archaeology, who were the first people in the world to have the chance to examine such a vast WWI training ground.

The site was used to emulate conditions soldiers would face in trenches in France and Belgium during the war.

The Larkhill site in Wiltshire was found earlier this year by builders clearing away the land ahead of starting a housing development. Many similar sites have been found in Kent, Surrey and Essex creating a 'ring' with which to protect London, but the Wiltshire site and another in the West Midlands prove the armed forces were concerned about defences further afield

The Larkhill site in Wiltshire was found earlier this year by builders clearing away the land ahead of starting a housing development. Many similar sites have been found in Kent, Surrey and Essex creating a 'ring' with which to protect London, but the Wiltshire site and another in the West Midlands prove the armed forces were concerned about defences further afield

Alongside the grenades, the archaeologists found lots of evidence of the soldiers who had trained there. Several soldiers had scratched their names into the tunnels, including two brothers who wrote their name 'Halls' alongside the phrase 'Semper Fidelis' which translates to 'always faithful'

Alongside the grenades, the archaeologists found lots of evidence of the soldiers who had trained there. Several soldiers had scratched their names into the tunnels, including two brothers who wrote their name 'Halls' alongside the phrase 'Semper Fidelis' which translates to 'always faithful'

As well as the tunnels themselves, the archaeologists at Larkhill also discovered a wealth of prehistoric material at the trenches, pictured, including an enclosure older than Stonehenge, and round Iron Age huts that date back to the time of the Roman invasion

As well as the tunnels themselves, the archaeologists at Larkhill also discovered a wealth of prehistoric material at the trenches, pictured, including an enclosure older than Stonehenge, and round Iron Age huts that date back to the time of the Roman invasion

Alongside the grenades, the archaeologists found lots of evidence of the soldiers who had trained there.

Several soldiers had scratched their names into the tunnels, including two brothers who wrote their name 'Halls' alongside the phrase 'Semper Fidelis' which translates to 'always faithful.'

A range of foods were also found, including a jar of Canadian cheese, a tin of toffees, and tins of condensed milk.

As well as the tunnels themselves, the archaeologists also discovered a wealth of prehistoric material, including an enclosure older than Stonehenge, and round Iron Age huts that date back to the time of the Roman invasion.

Other sites in the defence network were found in Kent, Essex and Surrey, with a 'ring' set up around London, while further afield new finds have been discovered in the West Midlands.

The study, called First World War Fieldworks in England, will be published in full this week. 

Chunks of rock from the tunnels revealed how soldiers etched their names into the walls to leave their mark as they prepared to face the real trench warfare on the Western Front

Chunks of rock from the tunnels revealed how soldiers etched their names into the walls to leave their mark as they prepared to face the real trench warfare on the Western Front

A range of foods were also found in the tunnels, including a jar of Canadian cheese, a tin of toffees, and tins of condensed milk, pictured

A range of foods were also found in the tunnels, including a jar of Canadian cheese, a tin of toffees, and tins of condensed milk, pictured

The vast system of tunnels and trenches was found in Larkhill, Wiltshire, which is in the southwest of the UK

The vast system of tunnels and trenches was found in Larkhill, Wiltshire, which is in the southwest of the UK

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