PhilB Posted 11 July , 2004 Share Posted 11 July , 2004 I came across this photo entitled "A huge mine crater of unknown location, occupied by scarcely visible British troops in dugouts". Could it be anywhere else than La Boisselle? Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 12 July , 2004 Share Posted 12 July , 2004 It could also be Y Sap, which because of its proximity to the main road was much better known and used during the war. Because it is gone today, it tends to be forgotten... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 12 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 12 July , 2004 Not familiar with Y Sap, Paul. Was that a mine crater as described with the photo? Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 12 July , 2004 Share Posted 12 July , 2004 Definitely seen that picture before, it wasn't in your BE Ovillers book was it Paul? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 12 July , 2004 Share Posted 12 July , 2004 It was Mike Stedman who wrote that book; the photo might be in it, but I don't have my copy to hand. The Y Sap mine was blown in Mash Valley on 1st July 1916; one of several charges used that day. It was filled in the 1970s, which led to Richard Dunning buying Lochnagar in 1978 to stop the same happening there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 12 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 12 July , 2004 MM`s "First Day on the Somme" says "Then at 7.28am came the other mines, the biggest being the two on either side of the main road at La Boisselle, each with 24t of explosives." Does this mean that the Y-sap mine was twinned with the Lochnager mine? Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 12 July , 2004 Share Posted 12 July , 2004 Only in the sense that they were blown simultaneously, and worked on by the same Tunnelling Company of the RE, I seem to remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 13 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 13 July , 2004 And the same size? Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCLI Posted 14 July , 2004 Share Posted 14 July , 2004 Nothing to do with any of it really, just thought I say I really like Paul Reed's signature. Very moving Anthony Farrar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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