andrew pugh Posted 2 December , 2006 Share Posted 2 December , 2006 Good evening All. I have read many books about the Battle of the Somme,and lots of mentions about the White City dugout system near Beaumont Hamel.Could anyone tell me if it was ever shelled by the Germans during the Battles from July to November 1916?.Because In all the books it seems to be a very busy and important place for the British troops, and yet little mention of its importance other than on the 1st of July 1916. If anybody could help I would be greatful. Best Regards Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 3 December , 2006 Share Posted 3 December , 2006 White city is so located that it was out of sight to the German observers. However I am sure that it must have been shelled and casualties taken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 3 December , 2006 Share Posted 3 December , 2006 Bit of info halfway down here, cheers Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 3 December , 2006 Share Posted 3 December , 2006 google throws up lots for 'White City' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 3 December , 2006 Share Posted 3 December , 2006 White City was certainly within range of the German guns and losses were sustained. the height of the quarry meant that shells skimmed the top of the bank to fall in the field beyond. You do need to be careful when reading accounts of the place, some tell us the bank was 40 foot high, it isn't now and has never been that height and there is a picture of RAMC men supposedly in the area which does not relate to any area of white city and i suggest were taken on the banks of the ancre. In the fields aorund white city can still be found large numbers of 303 rounds, mostly dated 1917 1918. and numerous mills bombs as well as broken rum jars and tins, some in remarkably good condition...my best find was a british helmet and my wife found the remains of a 'gift from the colonies' tin some years ago. The area is also a hell of a lot smaller than you would imagine. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roel22 Posted 3 December , 2006 Share Posted 3 December , 2006 Whatever happened to such a system after the war? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACRAE Posted 3 December , 2006 Share Posted 3 December , 2006 Whatever happened to such a system after the war? I would presume like the other systems filled so farming could start again. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roel22 Posted 4 December , 2006 Share Posted 4 December , 2006 I would presume like the other systems filled so farming could start again. But how do you fill an underground system? Sounds to me most of it is still there (flooded, ofcourse) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 4 December , 2006 Share Posted 4 December , 2006 The underground Tenderloin ADS was located at this site, and the copse under which this was constructed was still there until around 1990. Possible entrances were visible within it. The whole site was much more 'complete' when I first saw it in the early 80s, and you could then trace positions and even trenches in the bank. Intensive farming has destroyed much of it, like other sites on the Somme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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