War Diaries Talk

Switch

  • Stork by Stork

    What's a Switch, in the 4th line from the bottom? Should Switches be tagged as places?

    Posted

  • David_Underdown by David_Underdown moderator

    It's a trench, Mory Switch

    Posted

  • cyngast by cyngast moderator in response to Stork's comment.

    Stork, you can tag this as Mory Switch, just as you would tag Hally Avenue. If a switch line is labeled with a name like this, it's okay to tag them using the name.

    However, when they are just referred to as "the switch line" or even "Switch Line" I don't tag them, because there were many such places on the western front. It refers to a particular kind or location of a trench.

    Posted

  • Stork by Stork

    Thanks, will do. Is there something special about a switch, which gives a reason for a trench being called Switch rather than Trench?

    Posted

  • marie.eklidvirginmedia.com by marie.eklidvirginmedia.com

    Here is some information regarding a switch line trench:

    A switch line was a trench that connected two trenches that ran in parallel to the front line. They were created in locations where the enemy might or did overrun a trench system, thereby exposing the flanks. The switch line would then act as a frontline trench protecting the flanks. The British used switch lines, for example in Operation Michael.

    Operation Michael was a major German military offensive during the First World War that began the Spring Offensive on 21 March 1918.

    Link for Operation Michael: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Michael

    Posted