Photograph of a front-line trench. Two men can be seen sitting in the mud on the floor of the trench, cleaning the barrel of a Lewis gun. The circular magazine for the gun can be seen in the centre of the picture, just behind the foghorn. The top of the trench is well sand-bagged, but the sides are not revetted and there has clearly been collapse of the sides in the wet conditions.<br><p>By 1917, every infantry section of between eight and ten men had a Lewis gunner and assistant. The gun, which could fire up to 500 rounds per minute, was of far greater tactical importance than the rifles of the other infantrymen.<br>
[Original reads: 'Scene in a front line trench. Cleaning Lewis gun - note the foghorn for gas alarm.']<br></p>
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