“The fake tree observation posts of WWI”

“The fake tree observation posts of WWI” 

During the First World War, both sides kept constant watch of the enemy lines for movement, but that was not an easy task. As anyone who stuck his head above the trench wall for more than a few seconds was shot. So the French came up with the idea of disguising observation posts as trees, which was later adapted by the British and the Germans.

Because the front was constantly watched by the enemy, The fake tree had to replace an existing tree. A dead tree, blasted by a bomb, located ideally near the trenches was chosen. The tree was then photographed and extensively studied, measurements taken and sketches made. A hollow, steel replica was then made in the workshop far behind the lines.

After construction came the real challenge. Since the front lines were very visible, the fake tree had to be installed at night, under the noisy distraction of gunfire. The engineers would come in, tear out the original tree, dig a hole in place of its roots, then install the fake tree. When everyone woke up in the morning, the tree would still be there and still looked the same; except now it was a hollow, armored vessel concealing a soldier at the top.

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