Birdcage

At the front a Birdcage was the colloquial term for the enclosure, surrounded by barbed wire, where prisoners of war were herded together during action previous to being marched to camps in rear. The names was also used for any military prison or detention quarters. "The Birdcage" was the name universally given to the elaborately entrenched position, north of Salonika, constructed in 1916 to serve as a final stronghold in the expected event of an overpowering attack. It was designed for the same purpose that Wellington constructed the Lines of Torres Vedras. [1]

References / notes

  1. Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.23.

Glossary of words and phrases

The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. 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 to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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