towisuk Posted 2 October , 2011 Share Posted 2 October , 2011 I've come across a small snippet of information that mentions a long strech of tunnel in the German front line near Bullecourt. From what I've managed to find on the internet, it appears it was 30-40 feet deep, connected to the trench above with steps at regular intervals. Can anyone help me with more information that they may have come across regarding this tunnel, I'm passing by Bullecourt on my way down to Compiegne next week, and would hate to pass up the chance to recce the area. Map section from 'Linesman'........ regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrey McLean Posted 2 October , 2011 Share Posted 2 October , 2011 Hello, Tom - Could the village possibly be BELLICOURT, and not Bullecourt? At Bellicourt, the St. Quentin Canal Tunnel was a major feature in the Hindenburg Line defenses. Regards, Torrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 2 October , 2011 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2011 Hello, Tom - Could the village possibly be BELLICOURT, and not Bullecourt? At Bellicourt, the St. Quentin Canal Tunnel was a major feature in the Hindenburg Line defenses. Regards, Torrey Hi Torrey, no it's definately BULLECOURT, as you can see from the trench map I've posted, the trench in the Hindenburg Line Just NW of Bullecourt is named 'Tunnel trench'. So named, I gather from what I've been able to get from the net, after the tunnel that runs close beneath it... Here's a link to the article and map that aroused my interest.... http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/battaliions/10-batt/campaigns/1917-cambrai.html regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 2 October , 2011 Share Posted 2 October , 2011 Yes, it is/was Tunnel Trench north and south of Fontaine-les-Croisilles. Got some German pics of it being excavated and manned somewhere, will dig them out if wanted. Siegfried Sassoon wrote about being down in the trench in his memoirs and in The War the Infantry Knew. Also got a shot of a 1980s Fontaine road collapse over the tunnel somewhere. Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrey McLean Posted 2 October , 2011 Share Posted 2 October , 2011 Hi Torrey, no it's definately BULLECOURT, as you can see from the trench map I've posted, the trench in the Hindenburg Line Just NW of Bullecourt is named 'Tunnel trench'. So named, I gather from what I've been able to get from the net, after the tunnel that runs close beneath it... Here's a link to the article and map that aroused my interest.... http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/battaliions/10-batt/campaigns/1917-cambrai.html regards Tom Hello, Tom - Thanks for the information. I learn something new on the forum every day. I wonder what the condition of the tunnel is today.... Regards, Torrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 2 October , 2011 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2011 Yes, it is/was Tunnel Trench north and south of Fontaine-les-Croisilles. Got some German pics of it being excavated and manned somewhere, will dig them out if wanted. Siegfried Sassoon wrote about being down in the trench in his memoirs and in The War the Infantry Knew. Also got a shot of a 1980s Fontaine road collapse over the tunnel somewhere. Regards Peter Hi Peter, I heard about this tunnel in the Fontaine-les-Croisilles - Bullecourt area some years back, after I had taken a friend to the same area where an uncle of his was KIA. I forgot all about it but coming across the site I posted earlier re-kindled my interest. The fact that it states that the tunnels are 30'/40' deep makes me think that there is a good chance that parts of the tunnel will remain intact today (not that I'm looking for an entrance to it etc!!) It just interests me that a tunnel system which seems to be fairly extensive from the article, has not had more coverage on the forum or on the web. So!....thought I'd just ask the question as I'm passing along that trench/tunnel line to the Bullecourt area next Monday. Anything you may have would interst me Peter.. regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 2 October , 2011 Share Posted 2 October , 2011 Hello Tom, here's a pic of Tunnel Trench being tunneled. I did closely search the area some time ago but nothing there, except for a concreted entrance with about 20 feet of incline existing a couple of decades ago on the northern part towards Heninel. I think this is where wind turbines are now? I did make a note on map re road collapse......U14a2.7, where Tunnel trench ran under Valley Road 9track south from Fontaine). Do read Sassoon's account of being down the tunnel....very interesting. Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 2 October , 2011 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2011 Hello Tom, here's a pic of Tunnel Trench being tunneled. I did closely search the area some time ago but nothing there, except for a concreted entrance with about 20 feet of incline existing a couple of decades ago on the northern part towards Heninel. I think this is where wind turbines are now? I did make a note on map re road collapse......U14a2.7, where Tunnel trench ran under Valley Road 9track south from Fontaine). Do read Sassoon's account of being down the tunnel....very interesting. Regards Peter Excellent, a cracking photograph, thanks for that and the info Peter. I was stood next to the water tower at the outskirts of Fointaine some years ago looking over towards the British lines, not realising what a long tunnel there was nearby in that area. It was only after I returned home that I read something about it on the net, then coming across the site I posted above, re-kindled my interest. And as I'm going down that way to look at the site where some Australian soldiers still lie under tarmac today, that I started to seek out more information on the tunnel. I'll have to see if thay have Sassoons book on Amazon....and if I can get in Kindle format.. again thanks for your input Peter, it is appreciated regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 2 October , 2011 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2011 The coordinates you gave me land right on the visible signs of the trench to the left of the road in the field Peter....nice work mate...! regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 3 October , 2011 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2011 Yes, it is/was Tunnel Trench north and south of Fontaine-les-Croisilles. Got some German pics of it being excavated and manned somewhere, will dig them out if wanted. Siegfried Sassoon wrote about being down in the trench in his memoirs and in The War the Infantry Knew. Also got a shot of a 1980s Fontaine road collapse over the tunnel somewhere. Regards Peter Had a look for the book on Amazon, 'The War the Infantry Knew' is by someone else (J C Dunn), Sasson wrote 'Memoirs of an Infantry Officer' is that the one Peter?? regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedley Malloch Posted 3 October , 2011 Share Posted 3 October , 2011 From memory there are at least three blockhouses still existing on the line of Tunnel Trench between Croiselles and Bullecourt. There is little showing above surface level, so now, whilst the crops are down, is a good time to see them. They all have steps descending into a dark unknown. They look very dangerous - one could descend, but getting out would be a very different matter, so resist any temptation to explore. As Mebus says there are photos of these blockhouses being constructed and they are still cleary recognisable today. Sassoon writes of how parts of the tunnel were occupied by the Germans, others by the British. The tunnel (and it was a tunnel rather than a trench)had barricades with sentries posted on each side. Handshakes and cigarettes would be exchanged over the top of the barricade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 3 October , 2011 Share Posted 3 October , 2011 Tom, yes both books give info....Memoirs of an Infantry Officer is Sassoon's book, gives several paras to being in the tunnel. The War the Infantry Knew.....one of the best books there is and thoroughly recommended....is the collected mempoirs of officers of Sassoon's Welch battalion, Sassoon contributed. Good details of 33rd Div fighting for and around the Tunnel. I do have a full set somewhere of the concrete MG posts being constructed. From memory there is/was also one tunnel entrance near Heninel but this only went down about 20 feet before showing collapse. I have not heard of anyone who has gained access to Tunnel Trench. Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 3 October , 2011 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2011 From memory there are at least three blockhouses still existing on the line of Tunnel Trench between Croiselles and Bullecourt. There is little showing above surface level, so now, whilst the crops are down, is a good time to see them. They all have steps descending into a dark unknown. They look very dangerous - one could descend, but getting out would be a very different matter, so resist any temptation to explore. As Mebus says there are photos of these blockhouses being constructed and they are still cleary recognisable today. Sassoon writes of how parts of the tunnel were occupied by the Germans, others by the British. The tunnel (and it was a tunnel rather than a trench)had barricades with sentries posted on each side. Handshakes and cigarettes would be exchanged over the top of the barricade. Many thanks for the input Hedley, I'm used to moving around underground (being doing it for years) but the WW1 tunnels are a different matter, not something I would tackle alone and light heartedly. But when one thinks about the size of this particular tunnel system compared to Vampire dugout, it makes one wonder why no-ones shown an interest in a properly organised archaeological dig. regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Taylor Posted 14 October , 2011 Share Posted 14 October , 2011 Gents I've been studying the involvement of various divisions in the fighting before, during and after the 1917 Battle of Arras, involving the Hindenburg Line between Croisilles and Fontaine les Croisilles. I'm hoping to put a book together. Sassoon's poem 'The Rearguard' describes his floundering along the Hindenburg Support Line Tunnel - the trench above becoming named Tunnel Trench in the area unoccupied by the British. Several other people have described being inside the tunnel - I'll dig out some further accounts. From what I've read of 1918 in March at least one unit withdrawing from Tunnel Trench set alight the props to deny it to the Germans; in addition during the fighting for it various sections were blown in to stop the Germans moving along it past the barricades in the trenches. Whilst I'd love to get inside and look I know it'll never happen. Plus most of the entrances were booby trapped with explosive charges for the Germans to deny it were the British to capture it - I assume these were removed but one never knows! Kind Regards Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 16 October , 2011 Author Share Posted 16 October , 2011 Gents I've been studying the involvement of various divisions in the fighting before, during and after the 1917 Battle of Arras, involving the Hindenburg Line between Croisilles and Fontaine les Croisilles. I'm hoping to put a book together. Sassoon's poem 'The Rearguard' describes his floundering along the Hindenburg Support Line Tunnel - the trench above becoming named Tunnel Trench in the area unoccupied by the British. Several other people have described being inside the tunnel - I'll dig out some further accounts. From what I've read of 1918 in March at least one unit withdrawing from Tunnel Trench set alight the props to deny it to the Germans; in addition during the fighting for it various sections were blown in to stop the Germans moving along it past the barricades in the trenches. Whilst I'd love to get inside and look I know it'll never happen. Plus most of the entrances were booby trapped with explosive charges for the Germans to deny it were the British to capture it - I assume these were removed but one never knows! Kind Regards Colin Many thanks for that informative account Colin, I was in the vicinity of Tunnel Trench a few days ago, I had hoped to have time to have a look around the area. But time conspired against me, I shall have to make a day trip over at the earliest opportunity (weather allowing) for the sole purpose of spending a few hours there. It is around 2 hours from Zeeburgge (my preferred port of travel) and P&O have special 1 day deals on until the end of March, travel out one night...return the next, at very reasonable cost.. regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titi1418 Posted 30 November , 2011 Share Posted 30 November , 2011 Gents, I'm a baby here, I joint this forum due to this very interesting discussion. I'm very interested by WWI since I've 5 years old and my parents live at Fontaine les Croisilles. I reaserch all informations about battles in Sensée (Croisilles, Fontaine, Cherisy, Bullecourt...) sector, manly around Tunnel Trench and Hindenburg line consturction/organisation. For info Colin, you right, all wood inside tunnel is burned, my grand father saw a part of it in 80's. Actually there is no trace of collapse, and no entrance. Generally farmers warm me when it happens but usually, they fill the hole quickly. Peter, where do you find this digger picture!?!? TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 30 November , 2011 Author Share Posted 30 November , 2011 Gents, I'm a baby here, I joint this forum due to this very interesting discussion. I'm very interested by WWI since I've 5 years old and my parents live at Fontaine les Croisilles. I reaserch all informations about battles in Sensée (Croisilles, Fontaine, Cherisy, Bullecourt...) sector, manly around Tunnel Trench and Hindenburg line consturction/organisation. For info Colin, you right, all wood inside tunnel is burned, my grand father saw a part of it in 80's. Actually there is no trace of collapse, and no entrance. Generally farmers warm me when it happens but usually, they fill the hole quickly. Peter, where do you find this digger picture!?!? TT Welcome TT, very nice to have a "local" join in these topics with some good local knowledge, I hope you enjoy your time here on the GWF... regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titi1418 Posted 1 December , 2011 Share Posted 1 December , 2011 Welcome TT, very nice to have a "local" join in these topics with some good local knowledge, I hope you enjoy your time here on the GWF... regards Tom Thanks for welcome. I expect spend a good time here. Due to my job I don't live at Fontaine for the moment, I go back around one time/month. So, if you need local info, pictures, or if you have question about a particular sector... don't hesitate! TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 1 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 1 December , 2011 Thanks for welcome. I expect spend a good time here. Due to my job I don't live at Fontaine for the moment, I go back around one time/month. So, if you need local info, pictures, or if you have question about a particular sector... don't hesitate! TT Any information or photo's you may have regarding Tunnel Trench would be most welcome titi, I see Peter (mebu) appears not to have seen your question about the photo he posted. As you still do not have the number of posts needed to contact him via the pm, I'll send him a note via that method to draw his attention to your post mate. best regards, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 3 December , 2011 Share Posted 3 December , 2011 titi, I have tried to send you a message but the system does not allow it. I do have some photos of around F le C in 1916/17 showing rail yard (where the village sports field is today) and works, but large for this forum. If you send me an email to p.oldham111@btinternet.com I will be in contact. Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sly Posted 5 December , 2011 Share Posted 5 December , 2011 Hi there, I have got 2 german photos from the area showing the entrance of a tunnel called "Schmidthöhle", I was wondering if it was the same Tunnel Trench ? See below: thanks, Sly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titi1418 Posted 5 December , 2011 Share Posted 5 December , 2011 Hi there, I have got 2 german photos from the area showing the entrance of a tunnel called "Schmidthöhle", I was wondering if it was the same Tunnel Trench ? See below: thanks, Sly Thanks Sly. Personally I never heard on my sector. Maybe a specific point, I need to check on maps. Thierry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 27 January , 2012 Share Posted 27 January , 2012 Just came across this photo of the road hole mentioned in earlier post which appeared right over Tunnell Trench some time ago. Think that's Fontaine in the background. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 27 January , 2012 Author Share Posted 27 January , 2012 Just came across this photo of the road hole mentioned in earlier post which appeared right over Tunnell Trench some time ago. Think that's Fontaine in the background. Peter Nice photo Peter, thanks for posting, I think that was the road I took when travelling over the tunnel trench area just a few months ago. It runs from Fontaine down to Bullecourt, of course no sign of the hole now... Using the excellent "Linesman" map package, I presume the flag in the maps would indicate the Appx position of the hole in your photo above Peter regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 27 January , 2012 Share Posted 27 January , 2012 Tom, no it's the other road, where the blob is, Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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