This is a photograph of a large-scale model of German trenches northwest of Lens in 1918. Models like this were first introduced in early 1917 to allow officer and soldier to better understand the terrain, enemy trenches, and strong points they would encounter in the advance. Pre-battle training and preparation improved the attackers' chances for success and survival. It also lowered the risk that an attack might bog down when senior officers were hit or out of communication by sharing knowledge of the terrain and objectives with many other soldiers.
George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19930065-518
Canada and the First World War
