Trench -

It is a general term for holes and bunkers dug to maintain the power, conceal, and provide cover for firearms in battle, ditches and bunkers to protect waiting soldiers, horses, vehicles, and weapons and ammunition from enemy gunfire, and transportation trenches to facilitate the movement of soldiers. Until World War II, trench warfare was carried out in which many soldiers entered long, straight or lightning-shaped skirmish trenches and fired at each other, but with the development of aircraft and firearms, they became dispersed to prevent damage, and today they are used to accommodate one or several people. Bunkers are made by piling up excavated soil in front for use as a firing support, and the surroundings and top are camouflaged with vegetation. If there is not enough soil, sandbags are used to supplement it. The Self-Defense Forces' rifle bunkers for personal standing shooting are 1 meter wide, 1.2 meters deep, and 15 centimeters high.

[Terada Chikao]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

戦闘において火器の威力保持、秘匿、援護のために掘った穴および掩体(えんたい)と、待機中の兵員、馬匹、車両、兵器弾薬を敵の銃砲攻撃から避けるための溝および掩壕(えんごう)、兵員の移動を図る交通壕を総称していう。第二次世界大戦までは、直線や稲妻型の長い散兵壕に多数の兵士が入り、互いに射撃しあう塹壕戦が展開されたが、航空機や火器の発達による損害を防ぐため分散配置となり、現在では単独または数人を収容するタイプに変わった。掩体壕は、掘った土を前に積み上げて射撃依託に利用し、周囲と上部を草木で偽装する。土の少ない場合は土嚢(どのう)で補う。自衛隊の個人立射(りっしゃ)用小銃掩体は幅1メートル、深さ1.2メートル、盛り土の高さ15センチメートルである。

［寺田近雄］

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