Austro-Hungarian trench raiders near Caporetto, 1917.

Trench raiding emerged as a tactical element of trench warfare during World War I, involving 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 en…