Directing the Tunnellers' War

A first-hand account of the underground work of the First World War—from the firing of mines to constructing subways to bureaucratic mishaps.

With a background in mining and tunneling, Major H. R. Dixon was transferred to GHQ in Montreuil to handle mining plans and records. In due course he was appointed to a small group of Royal Engineers' officers who operated as the eyes and ears of the Inspector of Mines. His activity in this role is particularly important for the period after the June 1917 Messines Offensive, when the use of mining for blows against the enemy substantially diminished—indeed, all but disappeared—and the tunneling companies were reallocated to a new range of tasks.


Dixon was at the centre of staff activity that set about countering the effects of the German Kaiserslacht offensives in March, April and May 1918, and the preparations for a possible German breakthrough to the channel ports. Subsequently, with the allied advances of the 'Last Hundred Days', he became considerably occupied by the hazards of dealing with delayed action mines and booby traps.


His manuscript, produced in 1933, remained no more than a draft until it was rescued some time ago by one of the editors from the Royal Engineers' archives at Chatham. It recounts, by means of numerous humorous anecdotes, the personalities and work of the staff at GHQ, ranging from humble clerks and the misdemeanors of his batman to senior officers. He brings to life the exceptional endeavours of the often maligned senior staff and the individual characteristics of many senior staff officers who are otherwise but shadows in accounts of the Great War.