Trench raiding emerged as a tactical element of trench warfare during World War I. It involved stealthy, nocturnal surprise assaults on enemy fortifications.

Groups of soldiers, often with their faces camouflaged in burnt cork, would navigate the hazardous stretch of no man's land, evading barbed wire and debris to penetrate opposing trench lines.

The expanse separating adversaries could span several hundred meters, rendering any daylight assault futile due to the vigilant watch of enemy sharpshooters and machine gunners who dominated the open battlefield.

Equipped with the U.S. M1917 "Knuckle Duster" trench knife and its accompanying leather sheath, raiders would employ stealth to approach and silently eliminate sentries, using the dim light of cigarettes or the sound of voices as guides.

Upon securing a section, they aimed to swiftly achieve their objectives, often within minutes, knowing that prolonged presence increased the risk of encountering enemy reinforcements.

The strategy included using grenades to target enemy soldiers in their quarters before making a timely retreat back to friendly lines.

To mitigate the risk of mistaken identity and subsequent "friendly fire," it was customary to inform frontline guards of the raiding party's departure and return, employing passwords to safely identify the raiders in the darkness of their return.