Operations
Tunnelling companies were not popular amongst the ordinary troops. Knowing such a unit was nearby made them nervous:
- Danger from above the ground (from the enemy)
- Danger from below the ground (from their own and enemy tunnelling companies)
- If the enemy knew a tunnelling company was in the area, it made the trench troops a more likely artillery target. This was further emphasised as the war developed with both sides using larger and larger mines, often deployed ever-closer to their own trenches. These were more likely not to be detonated on time, or if they did, shower debris over their own trenches and advancing troops, causing increased casualties.
The first British mine to be detonated was at Hill 60 on 10 April 1915. Mines were also used at The Bluff, St Eloi, the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915; Hooge, Givenchy, Cuinchy and the Battle of Loos in September 1915.
Read more about this topic: Tunnelling Companies Of The Royal Engineers
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