The War Underground 1914–18: Tactics and Equipment

The War Underground 1914–18: Tactics and Equipment cover

The War Underground 1914–18: Tactics and Equipment

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Description

This absorbing illustrated study reveals the evolving tactics and techniques used by all sides in the underground war during 1914–18.

Covering the Western Front but also the Gallipoli and Italian theatres, this study explores three aspects of World War I below ground: military mining, attack tunnels and dugouts. In 1914–17, the underground war was a product of static trench warfare, essential to survive it and part of both sides' attempts to overcome it. In 1917–18 it was rendered largely obsolete by the development of the all-arms battle as mobility was restored to the battlefield.

In the stagnant, troglodyte existence of trench warfare, military mining was a hidden world of heroism and terror in which hours of suspenseful listening were spent monitoring the steady picking of unseen opponents, edging quietly towards the enemy, and judging when to fire a charge. Break-ins to enemy mine galleries resulted in hand-to-hand fighting in the darkness. The ingenuity, claustrophobia and tactical importance of the underground war are discussed and depicted in this fully illustrated study from an acknowledged expert. The artwork plates include depictions of the specialized uniforms, weapons and equipment used underground, as well as vignettes that vividly convey the many aspects of subterranean warfare during World War I.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Underground warfare before 1914
Military mining 1914–15
Mining in 1916
Mining in 1917–18
Underground warfare and technology
Mining on the Italian Front
Dugouts, shelters and attack tunnels
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index

Product details

Published 23 May 2024
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781472861054
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 8 colour artwork plates; black & white and colour photographs and illustrations.
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Elite
Short code ELI 256
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Simon Jones

Simon Jones, a former curator at the Royal Enginee…

Illustrator

Adam Hook

Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his wo…

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