A foxhole is a temporary defensive excavation, known in modern military terminology as a fighting position. This simple, effective structure provides a soldier with cover and concealment from enemy fire. The concept of a hasty, individual fighting pit dates back to earlier conflicts, but the term gained popularity during World War II. Foxholes are a fundamental tactical necessity for infantry, serving as a refuge against small arms fire and artillery shrapnel.
Standard Dimensions of a One-Man Fighting Position
The classic one-man fighting position is designed to be small, presenting a minimal target profile. It is a vertical, often bottle-shaped, excavation deep enough to allow a soldier to stand and fire a weapon effectively. The hole should be at least four feet deep to the fire step, or chest-high to the tallest occupant. The width is constrained to accommodate the soldier’s shoulders, typically two to three feet across. This narrow design shields the soldier from nearby ground bursts.
A defining feature is the fire step, a raised earthen shelf allowing the soldier to stand and fire over the parapet. Below the fire step, the hole widens slightly, providing a deeper recess for crouching during heavy bombardment. This lower section often includes a small, narrow pit called a grenade sump, designed to catch and contain live enemy grenades.
Variations in Foxhole Construction
While the one-man hole is the standard, variations are created based on the mission and personnel involved. The most common variation is the two-man fighting position, which is essentially two adjacent one-man holes connected by a short, central passage. This structure is significantly longer, often measuring around 80 inches. The two-man design requires two separate fire steps, allowing one person to rest or resupply while the other maintains watch and fire. This arrangement offers mutual support and increases the field of fire, but a single direct hit could result in two casualties.
Specialized positions, such as those for a machine gun team, are larger and focus on creating a stable, wide base for the weapon’s tripod. These emplacements may also be built with a shallower firing platform and a larger surrounding area to accommodate the crew and their ammunition stores.
Why Specific Dimensions are Critical for Survival
The precise measurements of a foxhole are directly tied to battlefield survival. The four-foot minimum depth protects the soldier from shell fragments, or shrapnel, which typically travel in an upward and outward trajectory from a ground burst. By placing earth between the soldier and the blast, the hole acts as a shield against these high-velocity projectiles.
The narrow width and length minimize the target profile, decreasing the probability of a direct hit from artillery or mortar fire. A deeper recess at the bottom of the hole provides at least two feet of overhead clearance when a soldier crouches down. This clearance is a countermeasure against enemy tanks, preventing the force of the tank treads passing over the hole from crushing the occupant. The fire step allows a soldier to fire with only the head and shoulders exposed, limiting target visibility while maintaining combat effectiveness.
Clarifying the Difference from a Fox Den
The military term “foxhole” is borrowed slang, but it has no structural resemblance to a natural fox den, or “earth.” A fox den is a complex, multi-chambered tunnel system serving as a long-term, insulated habitat. These natural excavations are used primarily by vixens for giving birth and raising their young.
The den network often includes multiple entrances and exits for escape, with tunnels that can be between 10 and 20 feet long. Foxes frequently take over and modify burrows originally dug by other animals, rather than excavating a new one. The den is a permanent residence for a specific purpose, contrasting sharply with the military foxhole, which is a hastily dug, one-off defensive position.