Northumbrian Gunner: Ypres 2020 - Battle Messines 1917

At 03:10 7th June 1917, nineteen huge explosions detonated along the Messines Ridge destroying German defences, shocking and disorientating the defenders inducing panic.

Messines Ridge 7th June 1917

Explosion of Petit Bois Mines

The Messines Ridge dominated the area around Ypres and had been in German hands since November 1914. The Germans had constructed a series of defensive lines with bunkers and fortifications.

Messines Ridge and front line 1917

German Bunker Messines

Recognising that the success of any campaign in Flanders would require seizing the Messines Ridge, tunnelling operations to explode mines under German strongpoints had began in August 1915 with a view to an operation in June 1916. The German attack on Verdun, the consequential Battle of the Somme, led to the campaign being postponed till 1917. Tunnelling operations continued through 1916 right up till the advent of the Battle of Messines.

Tunnelling Companies of the Royal Engineers dug galleries under no mans land until they were below key German strong points. At their end, a chamber would be dug and filled with explosives ranging in quantity from 91,100 kg to 49,700 kg.

Royal Engineers Tunnelling Operations

The dangers of the tunnellers were not only the inherent difficulties of digging tunnels, counter mining operations developed into an underground battle between British and German miners.

Underground Battle

Along the Messines Ridge from Hill 60 to Ploegsteert Wood, 25 mines were constructed under German defensive positions, of which 19 were fired on 7th June 1917.

Mines in the Battle of Messines (1917)

The tunnels were dug by the officers and men of the British 171st, 175th and 250th Tunnelling companies and the 1st Canadian, 3rd Canadian and 1st Australian Tunnelling companies.

Royal Engineers Tunnelling Companies

Tunneller Statue Wytschate

On the eve of the Battle of Messines, General Sir Charles Harrington, Chief of Staff Second Army, remarked to press reporters;

"Gentlemen, I don’t know whether we are going to make history tomorrow, but at any rate we shall change geography"

The prelude to the battle was a comprehensive artillery bombardment from 26th May to 6th June, targeting German artillery, defensive, positions, communications and logistics. Zero Hour was 03:10, 7th June 1917.

As dawn was breaking on the 7th June, the mines were detonated at Zero Hour, those at Trench 127, 7 seconds early, those at Petit Bois 12 seconds late.

A journalist from the Daily Chronicle observing events from Mount Kemmel recorded;

"The most diabolical splendour I have ever seen. Out of the dark ridges of Messines and Wytschaete and that ill-famed Hill 60, there gushed out and up enormous volumes of scarlet flame from the exploding mines and of earth and smoke all lighted by the flame spilling over into mountains of fierce colour, so that all the countryside was illuminated by red light. Where some of us stood watching, aghast and spellbound by this burning horror, the ground trembled and surged violently to and fro. Truly the Earth quaked..."

The noise was so loud that Prime Minister Lloyd George heard it in 10 Downing Street, London, with the explosion being reported as far away as Dublin. In Lille, 25 km away, German troops thought they were experiencing an earthquake.

The effect of the mine explosions coupled with the preliminary bombardment were devastating. Defences were destroyed or neutralised, many who survived were so traumatised they surrendered or ran away.

A German concrete bunker hurled on its back by one of the Messines mines at Factory Farm.

Source: AWM E01320

Destroyed German strong point at Wytschaete

Source:© IWM Q 5487

German trench on Messines Ridge

© IWM Q 5466

The Messines Ridge was seized and the objectives set for the battle were largely achieved. British forces advanced and secured the German third defensive line, the Oostttaverne Line. For the first time since 1914, British observers overlooked the Germans. It was the British who could now carry out activities on the reverse slope unobserved.

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General Sir Charles Harrington

Chief of Staff of Second Army

"Gentlemen, I don’t know whether we are going to make history tomorrow, but at any rate we shall change geography"

MAKING HISTORY....

British Victory

CHANGING GEOGRAPHY....

British soldiers stand looking into Messines Ridge Mine Crater 11th June 1917

Source: IWM Q2325

Mine Crater Messines Ridge

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SPANBROEKMOLEN

Mining operations at Spanbroekmolen commenced 1st of January 1916, the 521 metre tunnel and chamber 29 metres under German defences being completed 26th June 1916. An explosive charge of 41,000 kg was detoned at the start of the Battle of Messines to aid the assault of the 36th (Ulster) Division, part of IX Corps.

Location: Spanbroekmolen: 50°46′33″N 2°51′42″E

Spanbroekmolen Mine Plan

Kruisstraat (1-2-3) and Spanbroekmolen Mines

Spanbroekmolen Mine Crater

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HOLLANDSCHESCHUR FARM

Mining operations on three tunnels at Hollandscheschur Farm commenced 18th December 1915. The purpose of the mines was to destroy German strongpoing Gunther. Hollandscheschur Farm 1 tunnel was 251 metres long, Hollandscheschur Farm 2, 137 metres long, and Hollandscheschur Farm 3, 244 metres long. The chambers for the explosives were 20 metres unnderneath German defences. Hollandscheschur Farm 1 was completed 20th June 1916 and contained 15,500 kg of explosives. Hollandscheschur Farm 2, completed 11th July 1916 contained 6,800kg of explosives. The third mine completed 20th August 1916, held 7,900 kg of explosives.

German counter mining saw two mines being blown, though this did not prevent the British mines being denonated on the 7th June at the start of the Battle of Messines. Those mines would aid the to aid the assault of the 19th (Western) Division part of IX Corps.

Location: Hollandscheschur Farm 1 : 50°47′50″N 2°52′10″E

Location: Hollandscheschur Farm 2 : 50°47′49″N 2°52′04″E

Location: Hollandscheschur Farm 3 : 50°47′53″N 2°52′05″E

Hollandscheschur Farm Mines Plan

Hollandscheschur Farm 1-2-3 Mines

Hollandscheschur Farm 2 Mine Crater

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HILL 60 / CATERPILLAR

Hill 60 lay on the left flank of the assault on the Messines Ridge Two mines were constructed, Hill 60 (also designated Hill 60A) and Caterpillar (also designated Hill 60B). Both mines were initiated on 18th August 1915, Hill 60 being completed 1st August 1916, Caterpillar was completed 18th October 1916.

The mining operation consisted single tunnel, the Berlin Tunnel, leading to the two chambers of the Hill 60 mines, 30 metres below the German positions. The Berlin Tunnel went under the Railway Cutting which intersected the two mines.

The mines would support the assault by the 23rd Division, part of X Corps. The 23rd Division included in it's order of battle 68 Brigade which consited of 10th and 11th Battalions Northumberland Fusilers, and 12th and 13th Battalions Durham Light Infantry.

Location: Hill 60 : 50°49′26″N 2°55′44″E

Location: Caterpillar : 50°49′20″N 2°55′43″E