Uploaded July 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
During the First World War, armies had to develop all sorts of specialized equipment to deal with the unique conditions of trench warfare. Among the most vital of these were trench periscopes, which allowed troops to observe the battlefield in relative safety. Dozens of different models of periscopes were issued during the War, from simple bayonet-mounted mirrors to sophisticated magnifying optics.
SOURCES:
Saunders, Anthony, 'Trench Warfare: 1850-1950', Pen & Sword Military, 2010
royalmontrealregiment.com/trench-periscopes
wordsinwartime.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/seeing-the-invisible-foe-keeping-the-enemy-in-your-sights-in-early-wwi
greatwarforum.org/topic/3064-periscopes
americanrifleman.org/content/sniping-from-below-periscope-rifles-in-world-war-i
During the First World War, armies had to develop all sorts of specialized equipment to deal with the unique conditions of trench warfare. Among the most vital of these were trench periscopes, which allowed troops to observe the battlefield in relative safety. Dozens of different models of periscopes were issued during the War, from simple bayonet-mounted mirrors to sophisticated magnifying optics.
SOURCES:
Saunders, Anthony, 'Trench Warfare: 1850-1950', Pen & Sword Military, 2010
royalmontrealregiment.com/trench-periscopes
wordsinwartime.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/seeing-the-invisible-foe-keeping-the-enemy-in-your-sights-in-early-wwi
greatwarforum.org/topic/3064-periscopes
americanrifleman.org/content/sniping-from-below-periscope-rifles-in-world-war-i
