They would use the shovels to dig out trenches. If necessary they would dig graves. They would also use them as weapons if it came down to it.
because the other soldiers at the other end had weapons and if neither of the side had weapons there would be no war [MAYBE A FIST FIGHT] but yeah.
Because the deep trenches protected them from bullets and shell fragments that were fired at the soldiers and so that the soldiers could be be seen (as targets).
It changed war in the trenches because
in the trenches
Mustard Gas
They dug trenches to protect themselves from the weapons of the enemy. Turks vs. British
They would use the shovels to dig out trenches. If necessary they would dig graves. They would also use them as weapons if it came down to it.
bombs
A trench is an excavation in the ground used in war. Soldiers used trenches to store weapons and stay hidden from enemies, while still being able to fire at them.
In trenches. They also use it as a defensive shield.
There was a menagerie of soldiers in the trenches of WW1.
The soldiers would hide in the trenches and fire at the enemy.
because the other soldiers at the other end had weapons and if neither of the side had weapons there would be no war [MAYBE A FIST FIGHT] but yeah.
muskets and swords
the typical day for the soldiers was when they had to stay in their trenches because it was snowing and it was freezing outside
The grenade allowed soldiers to pack a tremendous amount of firepower in a package the size of a baseball. It was also an ideal weapon for stopping large groups of charging foes or clearing trenches packed with enemies. In short it was one of the best weapons imaginable for use in the trenches.