Boer, Russian and Japanese types.
In the South African War a good deal of interest was excited by a type
of trench used by the Boers. It was very narrow at the surface, giving
only just room for a man to stand; but undercut or hollowed out below,
so that he could sit down with very good cover. Such a section is
only possible in very firm soil. Apart from this, the type is really
only suited to rifle pits, as a trench proper should have room for
officers and N.C.O's to move along within it. The Boers showed great
skill in concealing their trenches. One good point was that there was
generally something making a background immediately behind the men's
heads, so that they did not stand out in relief when raised above the
parapet.
[Illustration: From _Russo-Japanese War: British Officers' Reports_,
vol. ii., by permission of the Controller H.M. Stationery Office.