Answer :
Final answer:
The complex system of ditches used in WWI is known as trenches. These were central to warfare strategy on the Western Front, representing a formidable defensive network that rarely allowed for territorial gains despite numerous attacks.
Explanation:
The word that describes a complex system of long, narrow ditches used extensively in WWI is trenches. In the context of the Western Front, trenches were at the center of military strategy and daily life for soldiers. They were developed as a defensive measure to protect against the advancements in weaponry such as machine guns and artillery. The trench system stretched hundreds of miles, and the fighting territories were marked by a frontline, support trenches, and reserve trenches, with no-man's-land lying between the opposing sides. Attacks often began with artillery barrages followed by soldiers going 'over the top' to charge through no-man's-land, facing the formidable defense of the enemy's machine gun nests. Despite numerous charges, significant territory was rarely gained, reflecting the formidable defensive strength of trench warfare.
