Over The TopBy: Steven Dupuis

steeven.duupuis.93@live.ca

Definition .• “Over the top” is a military phrase used during the first world war.• It is the attacking infantry rising out of their own trenches to assault

the enemy. In order to attack opposing trench lines, infantry were required to climb over the parapet of their trenches and cross No Mans Land. As World War I offensives generally sustained heavy losses, "going over the top" was an unpopular activity for soldiers.

• If you didn’t go over the top when you are ordered to, there would be consequences and normally it would be by getting shot and killed.

Which Country Used This First ?• The British were the first ones to use the, Over The Top

technique, they killed nearly 60,000 people this way ..• When you went Over The Top, the chances of surviving

were 5%, and chances of dying were 95%. • One soldier commented “ It felt like such a long time

waiting to go over the top, that many of us expected the war to be over by the time we had climbed on to 'no man's land' ! “

Weapons Used ?

• The infantry soldier had four weapons to use when going over the top : the rifle, bayonet, shotgun, and the hand grenade.

• The Rifle Shot Gun The Bayonet The Grenade

Did The Soldiers Like Going Over The Top ?

• The Soldiers didn‘t really like going over the top• One of the reasons why they didn‘t like it was

because of the little survival rate, which was close to zero .. (5%)

• The only reason why they liked it is because it was effective and killed alot of infantry on the opposing side ..