Shell scrape

A shell scrape is a type of military earthwork dug at a shallow but sufficient depth in the ground where a soldier can take shelter from weapons fire.

Shell scrapes are generally hastily excavated manually, with immediately available means such as the entrenching tool, and are temporary constructions.

For protection from the elements a poncho is often tied off or staked out at the edges, or bungeed to a nearby tree.

Shell scrapes offer better concealment than traditional tarp bivouacs because the majority of the soldier's body mass is below ground level.

A properly prepared shell scrape should be deep enough that the soldier's entire body is beneath the level of the surrounding ground, thereby offering protection from both direct- and indirect-fire weapons.