Field Punishment No.1 May 2026

While immobile, soldiers were exposed to all weather conditions and could not fend off irritants like flies or lice. They were also required to perform grueling "fatigue" duties (sanitary work, digging) when not tied up. Historical Impact & Conscientious Objectors Discipline and Punishment | Canada and the First World War

was a notorious form of military discipline used by the British Army and other Commonwealth forces between 1881 and 1923. Introduced as a "humane" alternative to flogging, it became infamous during World War I for its degrading and painful nature, leading soldiers to nickname it "crucifixion" . Key Features of FP No. 1 Field Punishment No.1

The offender was placed in handcuffs or fetters and attached to a fixed object—typically a gun wheel, a fence post, or a tent pole. While immobile, soldiers were exposed to all weather

Regulations restricted this "attachment" to a maximum of two hours per day for up to three days out of every four. A commanding officer could award it for up to 28 days, while a court-martial could extend it to 90 days. Introduced as a "humane" alternative to flogging, it

Early in the war, men were often tied with arms outstretched and legs together. In 1917, official advisories from the War Office in London specified that arms should hang by the side or behind the back to prevent permanent injury.