Trench maps are a primary source for studying the major battlefields of the Great War. They show in detail the changing Front Line and its associated communication trenches, as well as the location of enemy positions and defences including artillery gun emplacements, machine guns, mines, wire entanglements, and observation posts. In the examples shown below the German defences are shown in red and the British in a less-detailed thin blue lines so as to reveal the minimum information should a map fall in to enemy hands. They record the names that soldiers gave the trenches, as well as the names of significant farms, villages, woods, and other landmarks. These are often referred to in the written histories of the War, including personal war diaries and official regimental accounts. Trench maps, at first based on pre-existing French and Belgium maps overlaid with the features previously mentioned, illustrate the innovative survey, compilation, and printing technologies that advanced rapidly during the conflict. Comparing trench maps to each other over time, and to the present day, allows a detailed and fascinating graphic insight into the changing topography of the Western Front and so a much-used comparative feature of our acclaimed Self-Drive battlefield guides.

The first map (below) was updated on 14.10.1916 and shows the northern Somme battlefield around the heavily German-held village of Beaumont Hamel. You’ll see the original British front line trenches shown as thin blue lines, with the disposition of German trenches etc being shown in much greater detail in red. Have a closer look at the key to the map bottom left. This battlefield and many more are included in our Self-Drive guide itinerary . The second map highlights the Roman road (now D929) running diagonally from bottom left to top right through the German heavily defended town of La Boisselle. The battlefield to the north and south of this once-quiet little village saw the heaviest losses on the opening day of the 1916 Somme offensive (Saturday 1 July 1916). This battlefield is also included in our Self-Drive tour guide in much greater detail (see itinerary) . The third map shows part of the Ypres 1915 battlefield around a notorious high point known as Hill 60 (also included in our Self-Drive guide itinerary ). This map segment is of interest as this level of detail reveals the names British troops gave to German trenches - as well as their own!