World War II Trench Art

World War II was fought in a rapid, constantly moving manner driven by the technology at the time. There was little trench warfare outside of defensive positions; however, the term trench art generally applies to any art made by soldiers fighting in a war. One of the facts of life in a war is that soldiers live a life of long stretches of boredom punctuated by swift moments of violence. This leaves soldiers with idle hands, and the artistically-minded put them to good use.

World War II trench art varies among the different campaigns, soldiers, and military branches. World War II trench art includes drawings, paintings, and engravings, as well as hand-crafted metal statues and decorated cannon shells.

Quick Facts

• Trench art was often made by wounded soldiers, as doctors would encourage soldiers to create to aid in the recovery process
• One popular form of trench art was knitting because soldiers could make something as practical as it is artistic
• POWs on both sides of the war would often create art they could trade for food, money, and privileges