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WWI underground: Unearthing the hidden tunnel war WWI underground: Unearthing the hidden tunnel war
(about 4 hours later)
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class="dslideshow-header">WWI tunnel warfare

 The yellow boxed area above, on the edge of the village of La Boisselle, is where the excavation will take place. Beneath the ground here lies a network of tunnels and trenches that have lain untouched since the war ended. As many as 28 British tunnellers remain entombed underground. Fighting in World War I was dominated by trench warfare. Dug by hand, they stretched right across northern France. The excavation area has both German and British trenches. Historian Peter Barton, says the excavation site contains the "complete evolution of trench warfare". Fighting took place above and below ground. The tunnel networks, seen here extending far from the trench system to reach enemy territory were complex and extensive. Though they could not see each other, in places the two sides were just metres apart. This cross section shows the depth and distance of the tunnels, some over 100m long. They needed to be deep enough so that the enemy did not detect the tunnellers. The underground chambers were packed with explosives which, when detonated, were capable of destroying the enemy's trenches above. This military map of the area dates from the time of the war. Clearly marked are the craters blasted into the earth by the tunnellers' explosions. The German trenches are in blue, the British lines in red. The latter include names such as Fairmaid St, Scone St and Tay St. BACK {current} of {total} NEXT  
Archaeologists are beginning the most detailed ever study of a Western Front battlefield, an untouched site where 28 British tunnellers lie entombed after dying during brutal underground warfare. For WWI historians, it's the "holy grail".Archaeologists are beginning the most detailed ever study of a Western Front battlefield, an untouched site where 28 British tunnellers lie entombed after dying during brutal underground warfare. For WWI historians, it's the "holy grail".
When military historian Jeremy Banning stepped on to a patch of rough scrubland in northern France four months ago, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.When military historian Jeremy Banning stepped on to a patch of rough scrubland in northern France four months ago, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.
The privately-owned land in the sleepy rural village of La Boisselle had been practically untouched since fighting ceased in 1918, remaining one of the most poignant sites of the Battle of the Somme.The privately-owned land in the sleepy rural village of La Boisselle had been practically untouched since fighting ceased in 1918, remaining one of the most poignant sites of the Battle of the Somme.
In his hand was a selection of grainy photographs of some of the British tunnellers killed in bloody subterranean battles there, and who lay permanently entombed directly under his feet.In his hand was a selection of grainy photographs of some of the British tunnellers killed in bloody subterranean battles there, and who lay permanently entombed directly under his feet.
When most people think of WWI, they think of trench warfare interrupted by occasional offensives, with men charging between the lines. But with the static nature of the war, military mining played a big part in the tactics on both sides.When most people think of WWI, they think of trench warfare interrupted by occasional offensives, with men charging between the lines. But with the static nature of the war, military mining played a big part in the tactics on both sides.
The idea of digging underneath fortifications in order to undermine them goes back to classical times at least. But the use of high explosive in WWI gave it a new dimension.The idea of digging underneath fortifications in order to undermine them goes back to classical times at least. But the use of high explosive in WWI gave it a new dimension.
One of the most notable episodes was at the Battle of Messines in 1917 where 455 tons of explosive placed in 21 tunnels that had taken more than a year to prepare created a huge explosion that killed an estimated 10,000 Germans.One of the most notable episodes was at the Battle of Messines in 1917 where 455 tons of explosive placed in 21 tunnels that had taken more than a year to prepare created a huge explosion that killed an estimated 10,000 Germans.
What happened at La Boisselle in 1915-1916 is a classic example of mining and counter-mining, with both sides struggling desperately to destroy each other's tunnels.What happened at La Boisselle in 1915-1916 is a classic example of mining and counter-mining, with both sides struggling desperately to destroy each other's tunnels.
"When you stand on a spot and can look at a picture of a man still down there below you, it's amazing," Banning says."When you stand on a spot and can look at a picture of a man still down there below you, it's amazing," Banning says.
"It just does something very strange to you, it makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. "It just does something very strange to you, it makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck."
After six years of painstaking paper research by fellow historian Simon Jones, the researchers had built up detailed knowledge of the individual tragedies involved.After six years of painstaking paper research by fellow historian Simon Jones, the researchers had built up detailed knowledge of the individual tragedies involved.
They knew the exact locations and depths at which each man was lost, the circumstances of their deaths, and almost all of their names.They knew the exact locations and depths at which each man was lost, the circumstances of their deaths, and almost all of their names.
And yet it was only when the owner of the site chose to open it up to research that they were able to finally connect the stories to the place.And yet it was only when the owner of the site chose to open it up to research that they were able to finally connect the stories to the place.
The Lejeune family, who have owned the land since the 1920s, have a deep affinity with the site and have known many British veterans who served at La Boisselle.The Lejeune family, who have owned the land since the 1920s, have a deep affinity with the site and have known many British veterans who served at La Boisselle.
But it was only after visiting the team's excavations at nearby Mametz last May that they decided to offer their land up for historical study.But it was only after visiting the team's excavations at nearby Mametz last May that they decided to offer their land up for historical study.
Archaeologists, historians and their French and German partners now aim to preserve the area - named the Glory Hole by British troops - as a permanent memorial to the fallen.Archaeologists, historians and their French and German partners now aim to preserve the area - named the Glory Hole by British troops - as a permanent memorial to the fallen.
Digging does not start until October, but the first practical steps of mapping the tunnels and trenches using ground penetrating radar, and exploring the geophysics are under way.Digging does not start until October, but the first practical steps of mapping the tunnels and trenches using ground penetrating radar, and exploring the geophysics are under way.
Some open tunnel sections have already been entered and are considered remarkably well preserved.Some open tunnel sections have already been entered and are considered remarkably well preserved.
The team intends to leave the bodies undisturbed in the collapsed tunnels, but any others found in trenches will be reburied in accordance with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.The team intends to leave the bodies undisturbed in the collapsed tunnels, but any others found in trenches will be reburied in accordance with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Bomb disposal experts will be on standby to negotiate the unexploded ordnance they will inevitably uncover.Bomb disposal experts will be on standby to negotiate the unexploded ordnance they will inevitably uncover.

WWI tunnel warfare

The yellow boxed area above, on the edge of the village of La Boisselle, is where the excavation will take place. Beneath the ground here lies a network of tunnels and trenches that have lain untouched since the war ended. As many as 28 British tunnellers remain entombed underground. Fighting in World War I was dominated by trench warfare. Dug by hand, they stretched right across northern France. The excavation area has both German and British trenches. Historian Peter Barton, says the excavation site contains the "complete evolution of trench warfare". Fighting took place above and below ground. The tunnel networks, seen here extending far from the trench system to reach enemy territory were complex and extensive. Though they could not see each other, in places the two sides were just metres apart. This cross section shows the depth and distance of the tunnels, some over 100m long. They needed to be deep enough so that the enemy did not detect the tunnellers. The underground chambers were packed with explosives which, when detonated, were capable of destroying the enemy's trenches above. This military map of the area dates from the time of the war. Clearly marked are the craters blasted into the earth by the tunnellers' explosions. The German trenches are in blue, the British lines in red. The latter include names such as Fairmaid St, Scone St and Tay St. BACK {current} of {total} NEXT  
They also expect to find graffiti on the walls, poetry, bottles of drink, and all manner of artefacts untouched since the day fighting ceased. In short, they say, it's a time capsule.They also expect to find graffiti on the walls, poetry, bottles of drink, and all manner of artefacts untouched since the day fighting ceased. In short, they say, it's a time capsule.
The long-term intention is to open the site to the public, and the whole project is expected to take five to 10 years.The long-term intention is to open the site to the public, and the whole project is expected to take five to 10 years.
For Jones, a former curator at the Royal Engineers Museum, the dig is about completing the stories of the two Tunnelling Companies (179th and 185th) who worked at the Glory Hole.For Jones, a former curator at the Royal Engineers Museum, the dig is about completing the stories of the two Tunnelling Companies (179th and 185th) who worked at the Glory Hole.
"Finding out about these men has become an obsession, and although we know a great deal about the lives of soldiers in WWI, these men have left very few clues as to their experience or feelings," he says."Finding out about these men has become an obsession, and although we know a great deal about the lives of soldiers in WWI, these men have left very few clues as to their experience or feelings," he says.
Mainly professional miners, they were sent from the collieries of Britain to the Western Front to tunnel beneath enemy lines and detonate explosive charges - while stopping the Germans doing the same.Mainly professional miners, they were sent from the collieries of Britain to the Western Front to tunnel beneath enemy lines and detonate explosive charges - while stopping the Germans doing the same.
It was perilous work in a hidden war, which remained a state secret for many years, meaning the men did not get the recognition they deserved.It was perilous work in a hidden war, which remained a state secret for many years, meaning the men did not get the recognition they deserved.
By studying war diaries, tunnel plans, letters, maps and records, Mr Jones has identified 25 of the 28 British and all 10 French tunnellers at the Glory Hole. The number of Germans remains unclear.By studying war diaries, tunnel plans, letters, maps and records, Mr Jones has identified 25 of the 28 British and all 10 French tunnellers at the Glory Hole. The number of Germans remains unclear.
The British were lost between August 1915 and April 1916, sometimes individually but more often two or more at a time.The British were lost between August 1915 and April 1916, sometimes individually but more often two or more at a time.
"Often men from the same pits preferred to work alongside one another and hence were lost together," Mr Jones says."Often men from the same pits preferred to work alongside one another and hence were lost together," Mr Jones says.
One such miner was Sapper John Lane, 45, from Tipton in Staffordshire, a married father-of-four who left his colliery for the Western Front with four colleagues. None returned.One such miner was Sapper John Lane, 45, from Tipton in Staffordshire, a married father-of-four who left his colliery for the Western Front with four colleagues. None returned.
On 22 November 1915, he and four others were killed 80ft (24m) below when a German mine exploded, in turn detonating a British charge of 5,900lb (2,700kg).On 22 November 1915, he and four others were killed 80ft (24m) below when a German mine exploded, in turn detonating a British charge of 5,900lb (2,700kg).
For his great grandson Chris Lane, 45, from Redditch in Worcestershire, piecing together his relative's story has been a fascinating process.For his great grandson Chris Lane, 45, from Redditch in Worcestershire, piecing together his relative's story has been a fascinating process.
He says they knew he was killed in a mine, but prior to his research, his grandfather always thought it was in Ypres in Belgium.He says they knew he was killed in a mine, but prior to his research, his grandfather always thought it was in Ypres in Belgium.
"It's important to know your past, one small incident for one family is history for lots of other people," he says."It's important to know your past, one small incident for one family is history for lots of other people," he says.
The new dig is only the second on the Western Front to be officially sanctioned by the French authorities.The new dig is only the second on the Western Front to be officially sanctioned by the French authorities.
Patches of untouched virgin battlefield are rare. Most have been ploughed over, cleared or developed, and private landowners have been reluctant to hand them over for research.Patches of untouched virgin battlefield are rare. Most have been ploughed over, cleared or developed, and private landowners have been reluctant to hand them over for research.
It's a site of huge strategic importance. When the British launched the bloody Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916, La Boisselle stood on the main axis of the attack.It's a site of huge strategic importance. When the British launched the bloody Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916, La Boisselle stood on the main axis of the attack.
Of the 1.5m total casualties in the four-month campaign, 420,000 British soldiers were killed, wounded or missing having gained just two miles - a loss of two men per centimetre.Of the 1.5m total casualties in the four-month campaign, 420,000 British soldiers were killed, wounded or missing having gained just two miles - a loss of two men per centimetre.
Fellow historian Peter Barton says La Boisselle is the "holy grail" for historians, containing the "complete evolution" of trench warfare.Fellow historian Peter Barton says La Boisselle is the "holy grail" for historians, containing the "complete evolution" of trench warfare.
"The site has got both sides of the line and the fourth dimension of underground warfare, making it a truly holistic project," he says."The site has got both sides of the line and the fourth dimension of underground warfare, making it a truly holistic project," he says.
"These are not just holes in the ground, they're homes - that was where you lived when you were holding the line."These are not just holes in the ground, they're homes - that was where you lived when you were holding the line.
"You became troglodytes. They designed, evolved and engineered a way of living and surviving, and had to go deeper and deeper as the shelling became more effective.""You became troglodytes. They designed, evolved and engineered a way of living and surviving, and had to go deeper and deeper as the shelling became more effective."
Barton's research took him to Munich and Stuttgart, where interpreters and translators have helped paint an even bigger picture.Barton's research took him to Munich and Stuttgart, where interpreters and translators have helped paint an even bigger picture.
"We'll know the Germans who killed the British and French, and vice-versa - it's the most supremely researched piece of battlefield on the Western Front," he says."We'll know the Germans who killed the British and French, and vice-versa - it's the most supremely researched piece of battlefield on the Western Front," he says.
"Connecting those men who suffered and gave their lives there with their present day relatives is probably the most meaningful part.""Connecting those men who suffered and gave their lives there with their present day relatives is probably the most meaningful part."