The Underground War, Vimy Ridge to Arras

[SBW]

When a reader is ‘on the other side of the world’ it can be perplexing and sometimes problematic attempting to research and understand what happened a world away, and almost a century ago, during the underground war in France. Additionally, if one is planning a visit, there is always the nagging thought that lack of local knowledge may mean ‘things will be missed’ when on tour.

Phillip Robinson and Nigel Cave’s handsomely presented book The Underground War, Vimy Ridge to Arras (Pen & Sword Books, 2011) goes a long way to decreasing both physical and temporal distance and lack of any local understanding.

Full of black and white photographs, copious line drawings, diagrams and illustrations, Robinson and Cave’s book is the first of a planned four volume series.

This volume makes extensive reference to unit war diaries and personal accounts to add a much-appreciated human dimension to the tunnellers’ experiences. This is not just a book of military facts and figures, but also a very real account of what it was like to work and live – and die – underground. The authors readily acknowledge the book is, for the most part, concerned with British tunnelling activity. This is underscored by the use of the British Tunnelling Company yellow T symbol used on the spine. However, there is acknowledgement of other countries involved in tunnelling in this area, including German tunnellers.

Even the most casual reader will get an understanding of underground warfare from a range of perspectives. New Zealanders wanting to find out more about their own tunnelling company history would do well to buy this book. It should be noted that Sergeant S. Vernon who is mentioned as being the first fatal casualty, was the first to die as a result of enemy action. Sapper Michael Tobin, who died from bronchial pneumonia, has the rather dubious honour as having died first. Through his death, the NZETC can lay claim to a miner being the first NZEF death on the Western Front.

Early sections of the book provide invaluable advice for tourists. Comprehensive information covers medical and vehicle insurance, clothing and personal equipment, and even French road rules and legal requirements (the latter coming as somewhat of a surprise to this reviewer, used to the less crowded roads of New Zealand).

Of particular interest to even the most casual visitor or reader is the detailed section on the Grange Subway. As the authors state, this is the only place on the Western Front, apart from the Wellington Cave at Arras, where visitors can actually see the subways up close and appreciate what was involved in their construction. It is invaluable information of this nature – alerting the reader to an otherwise missed opportunity – that make this book of significant practical use.

Information is divided into easily accessible sections to allow the reader to dip in to the text and illustrations. The book will prove most useful in the field for those fortunate enough to visit the region. A lengthy and comprehensive chapter on tours contains a range of labelled contemporary photographs and travel directions. Cemeteries as well as battlefields are covered, Robinson and Cave do an excellent job of providing background and context for each location. Particularly appreciated are the lists of tunnellers’ graves for each cemetery. These are recorded under country and unit. Other graves of note are not forgotten. It is this attention to detail and deliberate effort to be user friendly that sets this book apart. At just over A5 size, it’s a nice easy handful of book to read on the side of a road as well as at home.

The book is rounded off by a useful glossary, a well thought out selective index, and a comprehensive bibliography.

Robinson and Cave’s book achieves two significant objectives. It can be read as a reliable and well-researched account of the underground warfare in the Vimy and Arras region, or it can be used as a handy and accessible reference text for any visitor to the region wanting to learn more about Tunnelling Companies and their men.

The Underground War is a welcome addition to any bookshelf, but will come into its own when stowed into a side pocket of a backpack, ready to be thumbed through and regularly referred to in the field.

Sue Baker Wilson

New Zealand Engineers Tunnelling Company researcher

www.nzetc.co.nz

[JimSmithson]

I would just like to add my recommedation to that of Sue's although I am far less qualified to comment! My interest in the Arras battles is well known to those long on the Forum and this is a very welcome addition to my research material on the area. As mentioned above, the copious drawings and photographs are a credit not only to the authors but to Pen & Sword for including them all; they make all the difference to a subject that can be difficult to picture or comprehend at times.

Thoroughly recommended to all.

Jim