The entrenchment of the East Coast is not only a wise precaution, but the
work of digging and fitting up the trenches is excellent practice for the
troops who may later on be called upon to do similar work abroad. It will
be seen from our photographs that the trenches on the East Coast
are constructed on the latest pattern as developed in the war, with
deep passage-ways, roofed sections, traverses, and zigzags to avoid an
enfilading fire from the flank. They are, indeed, to judge by the
photograph, remarkably similar to those constructed at the front in France
and Flanders. Even if occasion should not arise to use them against
the enemy, the labour of making them has not by any means been in
vain.--[_Photo. by Newspaper Illustrations._]




__________________________________________________________________________
THE ILLUSTRATED WAR NEWS, DEC. 30, 1914--[Part 21]--33


[Illustration: CHRISTMAS WITH THE GERMAN ARMY, ACCORDING TO A GERMAN
PAPER; THE ARRIVAL FROM HOME OF GIFTS FOR THE TROOPS.]

Full early, the popular German illustrated papers gave pictures of
Christmas on the field of battle, and it was very evident that our enemies
anticipated a joyous day or two: this, probably, thanks to the idea that
at Christmas-time all the Armies might call something of a halt, although
it was understood they were not in the least likely to do so officially.
It was also anticipated that the conditions of the Christmas spent by the
Germans at the front would, like those experienced by our own men
and those of the Allied Armies, be ameliorated by the reception and