Thursday 16th February 2017 at 6.00pm
The Institution of Civil Engineers, Thomas Telford Lecture Theatre
One Great George Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3AA
Tunnel Warfare
An insight into the use of tunnelling during the Great War
Speakers:
David Hedges, Bruce Simpson & Alan Thomas - Durand Group
The Durand Group is a team formed of volunter sappers, tunnelling engineers,
archaeologists, bomb-disposal experts and electrical engineers that specialise in the
identification and exploration of subways and fighting tunnels used during WW1.
Formed in 1998, the group initially concentrated on the Canadian WW1 Memorial sites of
Vimy and Beaumont Hamel. Their exploration is not only of historical interest but also of prime
safety importance if unexploded mines are found in fighting tunnels. Over thirty are known
to still be live to this day and can contain up to 20,000lbs of high explosives.
For the last decade they have widened their exploration area to include the Somme and
Loos battlefields. As well as British and German tunnelling systems, they also search for
entrances to Souterraines (caves) – large underground medieval chalk quarries that were
used by both sides to store materiel and accommodate soldiers during the conflict.
This presentation will address:
 Tunnelling techinques used during WW1
 Mapping and exploration of underground space on battlefields.
 EOD (bomb) disposal
Advance booking not required
The event will be followed by a social in the ICE bar.
To join the BTS Young Members Mailing List please email to: [email protected]
btsyoungmembers
btsym or visit www.britishtunnelling.org.uk/btysm