On the barbed wire

On the barbed wire: Primarily meaning killed. Also used familiarly of any absent man; e.g., "Where is Robinson?" "Hanging on the barbed wire." Every attack, of course, left a number of men killed in getting through the enemy's wire entanglement and literally hanging there.

References / notes

The above term is listed in our Compendium of the Great War on this day.

Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary with the war, which is reflected in the language used. Sources include: Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases, The War Book-of-Facts and Odhams' A.B.C. of the Great War. Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.

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