The shriveled trunks of these battlefields turned out to be extremely effective enemy watchtowers during World War I.
Since ancient times, camouflage has always been a paramount tactic in any war. Camouflage brings surprise to the opponent and is also a way to protect the forces of each side.
During World War I, there were also many different types of camouflage, and the tree trunk camouflage in this article is a very creative way to do it.
Disguise the watchtower as a tree trunk.
To ensure that all information of the enemy is closely monitored, the parties continuously monitor the enemy from afar in many ways. One is to send scouts to monitor the enemy’s situation or plant spies. However, these are all quite dangerous ways.
Therefore, in order to easily observe the other side’s movements and avoid being suspected or killed, because just sticking his head out of the trench could be instantly destroyed, the French army devised a strategy. “miracle” is pretty good. They disguised dead trees as observatories on the battlefield without the enemy suspecting them.
Later, the French army also passed this experience to the British and also to the Germans.
However, because the battlefield is always monitored by the enemy, it is difficult to erect a completely new tree. Because any new tree trunk will immediately attract the attention of the enemy. So the soldiers had to replace the fake tree at the spot where a tree existed before.
Usually soldiers will choose dead or destroyed trees near the trenches. After that, the tree will be punched in the middle and put a steel pipe system.
At night, taking advantage of the darkness, soldiers began to install pipes into real trees. In addition, night battles with gunfire and artillery also help to drown out the noise from the installation of observatories in the trees.
The system is installed deep under the tree and the entrance is well hidden. If the enemy unfortunately discovered grooves and holes in the tree trunks, the observatory was in danger of being destroyed.
Soldiers, after successfully installing the observation post inside the tree trunk, can climb up a small ladder that is bolted inside the steel pipe. At a position near the top of the ladder, they could track enemies from afar through observation holes. To avoid suspicion, they did not punch too large holes, but only small holes and used a periscope.
Although this camouflage is somewhat simple, it is surprisingly effective when not many enemy troops detect this.
Diagram of making a tree observatory.
The process of building artificial trees and observatories.
An observatory model in the trunk with a watcher.
The observatory in the trunk was first built in 1916.
An observatory uses fabric and steel to disguise itself as a tree trunk. This location was near Souchez, France in May 1918.
The entrance to this observatory.
A soldier hides in a fake tree trunk.
Two Australian soldiers are checking a tree trunk to see if it is eligible for an observation post.