Insights from U.S. Army veteran Ryan O’Leary, who has experience in trench warfare in Ukraine, highlights the complexities and challenges of modern trench warfare, which is significantly more intense than close-quarters battle. O’Leary discusses the critical role of small unit tactics, the difficulty in assaulting and defending trenches, and the importance of adapting to new technologies like drones in trench warfare scenarios.
  

Key Points 

1. Intensity of Trench Warfare: Trench warfare is described as being more violent than close-quarters battle, with enemies often engaged at very short distances, necessitating direct assaults into trenches.
2. Challenges of Assault and Defense: Clearing enemy trenches is a difficult and risky operation, while defending trenches, especially in harsh conditions like Ukraine’s winter, is equally challenging.
3. Importance of Practice and Adaptation: Mastery in trench warfare requires extensive practice and adaptation to the specific conditions of the battlefield, including learning from experience and adapting tactics accordingly.
4. Role of Technology in Trench Warfare: Modern trench warfare has evolved with the use of technologies such as drones for surveillance and attack, necessitating new strategies for camouflage and concealment.
5. Preparation and Training for U.S. Forces: The experience and lessons from trench warfare in Ukraine could be crucial for U.S. military forces. Despite existing training, adapting to the intricacies of modern trench warfare would require significant learning and adjustment.

Source: https://taskandpurpose.com/news/us-military-ukraine-trench-warfare/