The Tunnelers of WW1

Summary

This video script delves into the harrowing underground battles of World War I, where tunnel warfare played a critical role. Over 4,800 kilometers of tunnels were constructed with the aim of undermining enemy trenches and planting explosives. The work was perilous, involving constant vigilance against enemy tunnelers and the challenges of poor air quality and potential collapse. The script highlights the expertise of 'clay kickers' or 'moles' who brought their tunneling skills to the war effort, and references two films, 'The War Below' and 'Beneath Hill 60', that depict the Battle of Messines, a significant event in tunnel warfare history.

Takeaways

• 🌍 World War One was marked by brutal trench warfare and a hidden, underground conflict involving extensive tunnel systems.
• 💥 The primary goal of tunnel warfare was to plant large amounts of explosives beneath enemy trenches to cause massive destruction.
• 🔍 Tunnelers engaged in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, digging interception and listening tunnels to detect and counter enemy tunneling efforts.
• 📉 The advantage in tunnel warfare was to be beneath the enemy, allowing for the sabotage of enemy tunnels and the strategic placement of explosives.
• 👷 Tunnel systems were labor-intensive, with hundreds of men working on them at any given time, digging slowly and cautiously to avoid detection.
• 🚫 Evacuating large teams of tunnelers in case of a collapse was nearly impossible, highlighting the extreme risks involved in this type of warfare.
• 🌪️ Working conditions were treacherous, with concerns over air quality, the risk of flooding, and the constant threat of cave-ins.
• 🐦 Canaries and other methods were used to test air quality, while tunnelers also had to contend with the psychological strain of working in such confined spaces.
• 🔨 The first Allied professionals in tunneling were experienced sewer workers, known as 'clay kickers' or 'moles,' who brought their expertise to the war effort.
• 🎥 Two significant films, 'The War Below' and 'Beneath Hill 60,' depict the intense and anxiety-inducing nature of underground warfare during World War One.
• 🎉 The Battle of Messines in 1917 was a pivotal moment, where over 454 tons of explosives were detonated, resulting in the largest man-made explosion at the time and causing the immediate death of thousands of Germans.

Q & A

What was the primary objective of the tunnelers during World War One?

The primary objective of the tunnelers was to place hundreds of thousands of kilograms of explosives underneath the enemy's trenches to cause massive destruction.

How long were the trenches during World War One, and how did the tunnels relate to them?

The trenches ran approximately 750 kilometers from the North Sea to the Swiss Alps, and there were 4,800 kilometers worth of tunnels that crossed into No Man's Land.

What was the significance of being below the enemy in tunnel warfare?

Being below the enemy was advantageous because it allowed tunnelers to lay explosives under enemy tunnels, collapse them, and occupy them.

How did tunnelers minimize noise while digging?

Tunnelers would slowly push their shovels with their feet in front of them to make the least amount of noise possible while digging.

What were the challenges tunnelers faced in terms of evacuation and air quality?

Evacuating large teams of men all at once was nearly impossible, and they had to worry about air quality, using canaries and water tests to ensure it was safe to breathe.

What was the role of canaries in the tunnels?

Canaries were used as a traditional way to test the air quality in the tunnels, as they were sensitive to toxic gases.

How did tunnelers deal with the risk of flooding in the mines?

Tunnelers had to be prepared for the risk of mines flooding, which could make working conditions horrible and potentially deadly.

What was the significance of the Battle of Messines in 1917?

The Battle of Messines was significant because it involved the largest man-made explosion at the time, which instantly killed ten thousand Germans and allowed the Allies to advance.

Which two films depict the tunnel warfare during World War One?

The two films that depict the tunnel warfare are 'The War Below' from 2021 and 'Beneath Hill 60' from 2010.

What was the role of the men from Manchester's sewer system in the war?

The men from Manchester's sewer system, known as 'clay kickers' or 'moles', brought their expertise in tunneling to the Royal Engineers and were sent to the front with minimal military training.

What was the impact of tunnel warfare on the landscape of No Man's Land?

Tunnel warfare altered the very landscape of No Man's Land, forcing trenches to be wider and creating a complex underground battlefield.