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Mines in the Battle of Messines (1917)

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Mines in the Battle of Messines (1917)

Several underground explosive charges were fired during the First World War at the start of the Battle of Messines (7–14 June 1917). The battle was fought by the British Second Army (General Sir Herbert Plumer) and the German 4th Army (General Friedrich Sixt von Armin) near Mesen (Messines in French, also used in English and German) in Belgian West Flanders. The mines, secretly planted and maintained by tunnelling companies of the Royal Engineers beneath the German front position, killed many German soldiers and created 19 large craters. The explosions rank among the largest non-nuclear explosions. Before the attack, General Sir Charles Harington, Chief of Staff of the Second Army, told the press, "Gentlemen, I don't know whether we are going to make history tomorrow, but at any rate we shall change geography". The Battle of Messines marked the zenith of mine warfare. Just over two months later, on 10 August 1917, the Royal Engineers fired the last British deep mine of the war, at Givenchy-en-Gohelle near Arras.

Tables

British mines, Messines Ridge, June 1917 · List of the mines
Hill 60 (or Hill 60 A)
Hill 60 (or Hill 60 A)
No.
1
Name / Location
Hill 60 (or Hill 60 A)
Position
mw- .mw- .mw- 50°49′26″N 2°55′44″E / 50.82389°N 2.92889°E / 50.82389; 2.92889
Explosive charge
24,300 kg (53,500 lb)
Tunnellength
354 m
Depth
30 m
Constructed
22 August 1915 – 1 August 1916
Result
Fired
Caterpillar (or Hill 60 B)
Caterpillar (or Hill 60 B)
No.
2
Name / Location
Caterpillar (or Hill 60 B)
Position
50°49′20″N 2°55′43″E / 50.82222°N 2.92861°E / 50.82222; 2.92861
Explosive charge
32,000 kg (70,000 lb)
Tunnellength
427 m
Depth
33 m
Constructed
22 August 1915 – 18 October 1916
Result
Fired
St Eloi
St Eloi
No.
3
Name / Location
St Eloi
Position
50°48′32″N 2°53′31″E / 50.80889°N 2.89194°E / 50.80889; 2.89194
Explosive charge
43,400 kg (95,600 lb)
Tunnellength
408 m
Depth
42 m
Constructed
16 August 1915  – 11 June 1916
Result
Fired
Hollandscheschur Farm 1
Hollandscheschur Farm 1
No.
4
Name / Location
Hollandscheschur Farm 1
Position
50°47′50″N 2°52′10″E / 50.79722°N 2.86944°E / 50.79722; 2.86944
Explosive charge
15,500 kg (34,200 lb)
Tunnellength
251 m
Depth
20 m
Constructed
18 December 1915  – 20 June 1916
Result
Fired
Hollandscheschur Farm 2
Hollandscheschur Farm 2
No.
5
Name / Location
Hollandscheschur Farm 2
Position
50°47′49″N 2°52′04″E / 50.79694°N 2.86778°E / 50.79694; 2.86778
Explosive charge
6,800 kg (14,900 lb)
Tunnellength
137 m
Depth
18 m
Constructed
18 December 1915 – 11 July 1916
Result
Fired
Hollandscheschur Farm 3
Hollandscheschur Farm 3
No.
6
Name / Location
Hollandscheschur Farm 3
Position
50°47′53″N 2°52′05″E / 50.79806°N 2.86806°E / 50.79806; 2.86806
Explosive charge
7,900 kg (17,500 lb)
Tunnellength
244 m
Depth
18 m
Constructed
18 December 1915 – 20 August 1916
Result
Fired
Petit Bois 1
Petit Bois 1
No.
7
Name / Location
Petit Bois 1
Position
50°47′18″N 2°51′56″E / 50.78833°N 2.86556°E / 50.78833; 2.86556
Explosive charge
14,000 kg (30,000 lb)
Tunnellength
616 m
Depth
19 m
Constructed
16 December 1915  – 30 July 1916
Result
Fired
Petit Bois 2
Petit Bois 2
No.
8
Name / Location
Petit Bois 2
Position
50°47′22″N 2°51′56″E / 50.78944°N 2.86556°E / 50.78944; 2.86556
Explosive charge
14,000 kg (30,000 lb)
Tunnellength
631 m
Depth
23 m
Constructed
16 December 1915 – 15 August 1916
Result
Fired
Maedelstede Farm
Maedelstede Farm
No.
9
Name / Location
Maedelstede Farm
Position
50°46′59″N 2°51′57″E / 50.78306°N 2.86583°E / 50.78306; 2.86583
Explosive charge
43,000 kg (94,000 lb)
Tunnellength
518 m
Depth
33 m
Constructed
3 September 1916  – 2 June 1917
Result
Fired
Peckham 1
Peckham 1
No.
10
Name / Location
Peckham 1
Position
50°46′47″N 2°51′50″E / 50.77972°N 2.86389°E / 50.77972; 2.86389
Explosive charge
39,000 kg (87,000 lb)
Tunnellength
349 m
Depth
23 m
Constructed
20 December 1915  – 19 June 1916
Result
Fired
Peckham 2
Peckham 2
No.
11
Name / Location
Peckham 2
Position
50°46′52″N 2°51′56″E / 50.78111°N 2.86556°E / 50.78111; 2.86556
Explosive charge
9,100 kg (20,000 lb)
Tunnellength
122 m
Depth
23 m
Constructed
20 December 1915 – December 1916
Result
Abandoned
Spanbroekmolen (or Lone Tree Crater, Pool of Peace)
Spanbroekmolen (or Lone Tree Crater, Pool of Peace)
No.
12
Name / Location
Spanbroekmolen (or Lone Tree Crater, Pool of Peace)
Position
50°46′33″N 2°51′42″E / 50.77583°N 2.86167°E / 50.77583; 2.86167
Explosive charge
41,000 kg (91,000 lb)
Tunnellength
521 m
Depth
29 m
Constructed
1 January 1916 – 26 June 1916
Result
Fired
Kruisstraat 1
Kruisstraat 1
No.
13
Name / Location
Kruisstraat 1
Position
50°46′16″N 2°51′54″E / 50.77111°N 2.86500°E / 50.77111; 2.86500
Explosive charge
14,000 kg (30,000 lb)
Tunnellength
492 m
Depth
19 m
Constructed
2 January 1916  – 5 July 1916
Result
Fired
Kruisstraat 2
Kruisstraat 2
No.
14
Name / Location
Kruisstraat 2
Position
50°46′14″N 2°51′52″E / 50.77056°N 2.86444°E / 50.77056; 2.86444
Explosive charge
14,000 kg (30,000 lb)
Tunnellength
451 m
Depth
21 m
Constructed
2 January 1916  – 23 August 1916
Result
Fired
Kruisstraat 3
Kruisstraat 3
No.
15
Name / Location
Kruisstraat 3
Position
50°46′21″N 2°52′2″E / 50.77250°N 2.86722°E / 50.77250; 2.86722
Explosive charge
14,000 kg (30,000 lb)
Tunnellength
658 m
Depth
17 m
Constructed
2 January 1916  – 23 August 1916
Result
Fired
Kruisstraat 4
Kruisstraat 4
No.
16
Name / Location
Kruisstraat 4
Position
50°46′16″N 2°51′54″E / 50.77111°N 2.86500°E / 50.77111; 2.86500
Explosive charge
8,800 kg (19,500 lb)
Tunnellength
492 m
Depth
19 m
Constructed
February 1917 – 9 May 1917
Result
Fired
Ontario Farm
Ontario Farm
No.
17
Name / Location
Ontario Farm
Position
50°45′50.4″N 2°52′36.9″E / 50.764000°N 2.876917°E / 50.764000; 2.876917
Explosive charge
27,000 kg (60,000 lb)
Tunnellength
392 m
Depth
34 m
Constructed
28 January 1917  – 6 June 1917
Result
Fired
La Petite Douve Farm
La Petite Douve Farm
No.
18
Name / Location
La Petite Douve Farm
Position
50°45′20.6″N 2°53′36.9″E / 50.755722°N 2.893583°E / 50.755722; 2.893583
Explosive charge
23,000 kg (50,000 lb)
Tunnellength
518 m
Depth
23 m
Constructed
28 January 1916  – n/a
Result
Abandoned
Trench 127 Left (or Trench 127 North)
Trench 127 Left (or Trench 127 North)
No.
19
Name / Location
Trench 127 Left (or Trench 127 North)
Position
50°44′55″N 2°54′14″E / 50.74861°N 2.90389°E / 50.74861; 2.90389
Explosive charge
16,000 kg (36,000 lb)
Tunnellength
302 m
Depth
25 m
Constructed
28 December 1915 – 20 April 1916
Result
Fired
Trench 127 Right (or Trench 127 South, Ash Crater)
Trench 127 Right (or Trench 127 South, Ash Crater)
No.
20
Name / Location
Trench 127 Right (or Trench 127 South, Ash Crater)
Position
50°44′51″N 2°54′17″E / 50.74750°N 2.90472°E / 50.74750; 2.90472
Explosive charge
23,000 kg (50,000 lb)
Tunnellength
405 m
Depth
26 m
Constructed
28 December 1915  – 9 May 1916
Result
Fired
Trench 122 Left (or Factory Farm 1, Ultimo Crater)
Trench 122 Left (or Factory Farm 1, Ultimo Crater)
No.
21
Name / Location
Trench 122 Left (or Factory Farm 1, Ultimo Crater)
Position
50°44′36″N 2°54′45″E / 50.74333°N 2.91250°E / 50.74333; 2.91250
Explosive charge
9,100 kg (20,000 lb)
Tunnellength
296 m
Depth
20 m
Constructed
February 1916  – 14 April 1916
Result
Fired
Trench 122 Right (or Factory Farm 2, Factory Farm Crater)
Trench 122 Right (or Factory Farm 2, Factory Farm Crater)
No.
22
Name / Location
Trench 122 Right (or Factory Farm 2, Factory Farm Crater)
Position
50°44′30″N 2°54′47″E / 50.74167°N 2.91306°E / 50.74167; 2.91306
Explosive charge
18,000 kg (40,000 lb)
Tunnellength
241 m
Depth
25 m
Constructed
February 1916 – 11 June 1916
Result
Fired
Birdcage 1 (or Trench 121)
Birdcage 1 (or Trench 121)
No.
23
Name / Location
Birdcage 1 (or Trench 121)
Position
50°44′21″N 2°54′27″E / 50.73917°N 2.90750°E / 50.73917; 2.90750
Explosive charge
9,100 kg (20,000 lb)
Tunnellength
130 m
Depth
18 m
Constructed
December 1915  – 7 March 1916
Result
Not fired
Birdcage 2 (or Trench 121)
Birdcage 2 (or Trench 121)
No.
24
Name / Location
Birdcage 2 (or Trench 121)
Position
50°44′20″N 2°54′28″E / 50.73889°N 2.90778°E / 50.73889; 2.90778
Explosive charge
15,000 kg (32,000 lb)
Tunnellength
236 m
Depth
18 m
Constructed
December 1915 – n/a
Result
Not fired
Birdcage 3 (or Trench 121)
Birdcage 3 (or Trench 121)
No.
25
Name / Location
Birdcage 3 (or Trench 121)
Position
50°44′20″N 2°54′31″E / 50.73889°N 2.90861°E / 50.73889; 2.90861
Explosive charge
12,000 kg (26,000 lb)
Tunnellength
261 m
Depth
20 m
Constructed
December 1915 – 30 April 1916
Result
Explodedin 1955
Birdcage 4 (or Trench 121)
Birdcage 4 (or Trench 121)
No.
26
Name / Location
Birdcage 4 (or Trench 121)
Position
50°44′20″N 2°54′30″E / 50.73889°N 2.90833°E / 50.73889; 2.90833
Explosive charge
15,000 kg (34,000 lb)
Tunnellength
239 m
Depth
18 m
Constructed
December 1915 – n/a
Result
Not fired
No.
Name / Location
Position
Explosive charge
Tunnellength
Depth
Constructed
Result
Notes and images(May be under first row of each group of mines)
1
Hill 60 (or Hill 60 A)
mw- .mw- 50°49′26″N 2°55′44″E / 50.82389°N 2.92889°E / 50.82389; 2.92889
24,300 kg (53,500 lb)
354 m
30 m
22 August 1915 – 1 August 1916
Fired
Shared gallery with Caterpillar, started in mid-1915 as one of the first allied mines at Ypres and known as Berlin Tunnel. By June 1917, the mine consisted of a main gallery leading to two mine chambers (Hill 60 A and Hill 60 B). See note: Plan: ;
2
Caterpillar (or Hill 60 B)
50°49′20″N 2°55′43″E / 50.82222°N 2.92861°E / 50.82222; 2.92861
32,000 kg (70,000 lb)
427 m
33 m
22 August 1915 – 18 October 1916
Fired
Views: photo
3
St Eloi
50°48′32″N 2°53′31″E / 50.80889°N 2.89194°E / 50.80889; 2.89194
43,400 kg (95,600 lb)
408 m
42 m
16 August 1915 – 11 June 1916
Fired
Largest detonation during the Battle of Messines. The deep mine crater is located next to double crater from 1916. See note: Plan: ; Views: aerial view of all 3 craters at St Eloi
4
Hollandscheschur Farm 1
50°47′50″N 2°52′10″E / 50.79722°N 2.86944°E / 50.79722; 2.86944
15,500 kg (34,200 lb)
251 m
20 m
18 December 1915 – 20 June 1916
Fired
The mine consisted of three chambers (Hollandscheschur Farm 1–3) with a shared gallery. It was placed around the German strongpoint Günther between Wijtschate and Voormezele, not far from the Bayernwald trenches in Croonaert Wood. See note: Plan: ; Views: aerial view 1, aerial view 2
5
Hollandscheschur Farm 2
50°47′49″N 2°52′04″E / 50.79694°N 2.86778°E / 50.79694; 2.86778
6,800 kg (14,900 lb)
137 m
18 m
18 December 1915 – 11 July 1916
Fired
6
Hollandscheschur Farm 3
50°47′53″N 2°52′05″E / 50.79806°N 2.86806°E / 50.79806; 2.86806
7,900 kg (17,500 lb)
244 m
18 m
18 December 1915 – 20 August 1916
Fired
7
Petit Bois 1
50°47′18″N 2°51′56″E / 50.78833°N 2.86556°E / 50.78833; 2.86556
14,000 kg (30,000 lb)
616 m
19 m
16 December 1915 – 30 July 1916
Fired
The mine consisted of two chambers (Petit Bois 1 and 2) with a shared gallery. It was placed west of Wijtschate. See note: Plan: ;
8
Petit Bois 2
50°47′22″N 2°51′56″E / 50.78944°N 2.86556°E / 50.78944; 2.86556
14,000 kg (30,000 lb)
631 m
23 m
16 December 1915 – 15 August 1916
Fired
9
Maedelstede Farm
50°46′59″N 2°51′57″E / 50.78306°N 2.86583°E / 50.78306; 2.86583
43,000 kg (94,000 lb)
518 m
33 m
3 September 1916 – 2 June 1917
Fired
Two chambers (Wytschaete Wood and Maedelstede Farm) were planned, but lack of time prevented the former from being finished and all effort was concentrated the latter. It was placed west of Wijtschate. See note: Plan: ; Views: aerial view Archived 2015-02-16 at the Wayback Machine
10
Peckham 1
50°46′47″N 2°51′50″E / 50.77972°N 2.86389°E / 50.77972; 2.86389
39,000 kg (87,000 lb)
349 m
23 m
20 December 1915 – 19 June 1916
Fired
The mine consisted of two chambers (Peckham 1 and 2) with a shared gallery. Peckham 1 was detonated during the battle. Peckham 2 was placed under a farm building but abandoned after the tunnel flooded. See note: Plan: ; Views: photo
11
Peckham 2
50°46′52″N 2°51′56″E / 50.78111°N 2.86556°E / 50.78111; 2.86556
9,100 kg (20,000 lb)
122 m
23 m
20 December 1915 – December 1916
Abandoned
12
Spanbroekmolen (or Lone Tree Crater, Pool of Peace)
50°46′33″N 2°51′42″E / 50.77583°N 2.86167°E / 50.77583; 2.86167
41,000 kg (91,000 lb)
521 m
29 m
1 January 1916 – 26 June 1916
Fired
Discovered by German troops in February 1917, later reclaimed and fired in the Battle of Messines. The crater was acquired in 1929 by the Toc H foundation in Poperinge, today recognised as a peace memorial. See note: Plan: ; Views: photo
13
Kruisstraat 1
50°46′16″N 2°51′54″E / 50.77111°N 2.86500°E / 50.77111; 2.86500
14,000 kg (30,000 lb)
492 m
19 m
2 January 1916 – 5 July 1916
Fired
Building preparations for a two-chamber mine started in December 1915. Kruisstraat 1 was placed at the end of a 492 m (538 yd) long gallery, Kruisstraat 2 some 50 m (55 yd) to its right. Kruisstraat 3 was added two months later and Kruisstraat 4 in 1917. Two craters remain, which seem to have been caused by the first and second charges. Kruisstraat 1 and 4 shared a gallery and were fired together. See note: Plan: ; Views of the double crater: photo 1 Archived 2015-02-17 at the Wayback Machine, photo 2, photo 3
14
Kruisstraat 2
50°46′14″N 2°51′52″E / 50.77056°N 2.86444°E / 50.77056; 2.86444
14,000 kg (30,000 lb)
451 m
21 m
2 January 1916 – 23 August 1916
Fired
15
Kruisstraat 3
50°46′21″N 2°52′2″E / 50.77250°N 2.86722°E / 50.77250; 2.86722
14,000 kg (30,000 lb)
658 m
17 m
2 January 1916 – 23 August 1916
Fired
Kruisstraat 3 had the longest gallery of the mines at Messines.
16
Kruisstraat 4
50°46′16″N 2°51′54″E / 50.77111°N 2.86500°E / 50.77111; 2.86500
8,800 kg (19,500 lb)
492 m
19 m
February 1917 – 9 May 1917
Fired
17
Ontario Farm
50°45′50.4″N 2°52′36.9″E / 50.764000°N 2.876917°E / 50.764000; 2.876917
27,000 kg (60,000 lb)
392 m
34 m
28 January 1917 – 6 June 1917
Fired
The mine did not produce a crater but left a shallow indentation in the soft clay; the shock wave did great damage to the German position. It was placed west of Mesen (Messines). See note: Plans: ;
18
La Petite Douve Farm
50°45′20.6″N 2°53′36.9″E / 50.755722°N 2.893583°E / 50.755722; 2.893583
23,000 kg (50,000 lb)
518 m
23 m
28 January 1916 – n/a
Abandoned
The mine was placed under the barn of the farm La Basse Cour. It was discovered by the Germans on 24 August 1916, then flooded and abandoned. See note: Plan: ;
19
Trench 127 Left (or Trench 127 North)
50°44′55″N 2°54′14″E / 50.74861°N 2.90389°E / 50.74861; 2.90389
16,000 kg (36,000 lb)
302 m
25 m
28 December 1915 – 20 April 1916
Fired
The mine consisted of two chambers (Trench 127 Left and Right) with a shared gallery. It was placed east of St. Yvon (St. Yves). The crater was in a field near the Khaki Chums Cross memorial and filled in during the latter part of the 20th century. See note: Plan: ;
20
Trench 127 Right (or Trench 127 South, Ash Crater)
50°44′51″N 2°54′17″E / 50.74750°N 2.90472°E / 50.74750; 2.90472
23,000 kg (50,000 lb)
405 m
26 m
28 December 1915 – 9 May 1916
Fired
21
Trench 122 Left (or Factory Farm 1, Ultimo Crater)
50°44′36″N 2°54′45″E / 50.74333°N 2.91250°E / 50.74333; 2.91250
9,100 kg (20,000 lb)
296 m
20 m
February 1916 – 14 April 1916
Fired
The mine consisted of two chambers (Trench 122 Left and Right) with a shared gallery. It was placed east of St. Yvon (St. Yves). Preparations for a two-chamber mine extending from Trench 122 started in December 1915. A charge of 9,100 kg (20,000 lb) was laid in May 1916 and a second of 18,000 kg (40,000 lb) was placed at the end of a 200 m (220 yd) long gallery, beneath the derelict Factory Farm. See note: Plan: ; Views: photo
22
Trench 122 Right (or Factory Farm 2, Factory Farm Crater)
50°44′30″N 2°54′47″E / 50.74167°N 2.91306°E / 50.74167; 2.91306
18,000 kg (40,000 lb)
241 m
25 m
February 1916 – 11 June 1916
Fired
Views: photo 1, photo 2
23
Birdcage 1 (or Trench 121)
50°44′21″N 2°54′27″E / 50.73917°N 2.90750°E / 50.73917; 2.90750
9,100 kg (20,000 lb)
130 m
18 m
December 1915 – 7 March 1916
Not fired
The mine was placed east of Ploegsteert, around the German strongpoint Birdcage at Le Pelerin, near the southern end of Messines Ridge. Five mines were planned here, of which four (Birdcage 1–4) were constructed. None of them was fired, as they were too far behind British lines by the time the Battle of Messines commenced. Plan:
24
Birdcage 2 (or Trench 121)
50°44′20″N 2°54′28″E / 50.73889°N 2.90778°E / 50.73889; 2.90778
15,000 kg (32,000 lb)
236 m
18 m
December 1915 – n/a
Not fired
25
Birdcage 3 (or Trench 121)
50°44′20″N 2°54′31″E / 50.73889°N 2.90861°E / 50.73889; 2.90861
12,000 kg (26,000 lb)
261 m
20 m
December 1915 – 30 April 1916
Explodedin 1955
Detonated by lightning on 17 June 1955, after an electric-power pylon had been built over the site.
26
Birdcage 4 (or Trench 121)
50°44′20″N 2°54′30″E / 50.73889°N 2.90833°E / 50.73889; 2.90833
15,000 kg (34,000 lb)
239 m
18 m
December 1915 – n/a
Not fired

References

  1. Around 7:05 a.m., the 251st Tunnelling Company on the 5th Infantry Brigade front of the 2nd Division, exploded a mine at
  2. Belgian place names were changed in the 20th century and British versions such as "Wytschaete" (Whitesheet) often retain
  3. German corps were detached from their component divisions on 3 April 1917 and given permanent areas to hold, under a geo
  4. The Battle of Messines was regarded as the most successful local operation of the war but it left a legacy: six mines we
  5. The early underground war in the area had involved both the 171st and 172nd Tunnelling Company. After the Battle of Hill
  6. Mining activity by the tunnelling companies of the Royal Engineers had begun at St Eloi in early 1915. Much of the minin
    https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Mines_in_the_Battle_of_Messines_(1917)&params=50_48_46.8_N_2_53_13.6_E_
  7. In November 1915, the 250th Tunnelling Company began work on the deep mine at Hollandscheschur Farm as it sank a shaft t
  8. December 1915, 250th Tunnelling Company began work on the deep mine at Petit Bois. Tunnelling began about 170 m behind t
  9. This deep mine was begun by 250th Tunnelling Company at the end of 1916 and forward workings started at a depth of about
  10. The shaft for the deep mine at Peckham Farm was begun by 250th Tunnelling Company on 18 December 1915 and sunk to 20 m (
  11. The Spanbroekmolen mine was located on one of the highest points of the Messines Ridge and named after a windmill that s
  12. Preparations for digging deep mines at Kruisstraat were begun by 250th Tunnelling Company in December 1915, handed over
  13. The ground at the site selected for the Ontario Farm mine proved very difficult as much of it was sandy clay. At the end
  14. The farm, located next to the road from Messines to Ploegsteert Wood, was enclosed by a German trench system known as UL
  15. Work on the deep mine at Trench 127 was begun by 171st Tunnelling Company in December 1915. The name indicates the Briti
  16. Work on the deep mine at Trench 122 was begun by 171st Tunnelling Company at the end of February 1916. The name indicate
  17. Lytton 1921, p. 97.
  18. Wyrall 2002, pp. 468–469.
  19. Edmonds 1991, pp. 35–36.
  20. Edmonds 1991, p. 36.
  21. Cleland 1918, pp. 145–146.
  22. Branagan 2005, pp. 294–301.
  23. Edmonds 1991, p. 37–38.
  24. Wolff 2001, p. 88.
  25. Liddell Hart 1963, p. 331.
  26. Sheldon 2007, p. 1.
  27. Wolff 2001, p. 92.
  28. Edmonds 1991, p. 57.
  29. Bülow et al. 1943, pp. 103–104.
  30. Edmonds 1991, pp. 52–53.
  31. Tweedie 2004.
  32. Edmonds 1991, p. 53.
  33. "Messines"
    http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/flanders/messines.html
  34. "Photo gallery: Battle of Messines Ridge"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150224051747/http://clevelode-battletours.com/photo-gallery/battle-of-messines-ridge/
  35. Passingham 1998, pp. 61, 73–74 90.
  36. Edmonds 1991, p. 91.
  37. Edmonds 1991, pp. 91–92.
  38. Edmonds 1991, p. 92.
  39. Edmonds 1991, p. 54.
  40. Edmonds 1991, p. 55.
  41. Turner 2010, p. 53.
  42. Holt & Holt 2014, p. 193.
  43. Jones 2017.
  44. Edmonds 1991, p. 87.
  45. Edmonds 1991, p. 94.
  46. Kuhl 1929, p. 114.
  47. Turner 2010, p. 44.
  48. Holt & Holt 2014, pp. 116–119, 247–248.
  49. Edmonds 1991, pp. 55, 60, 88.
  50. Bean 1941, pp. 949–959.
  51. Holt & Holt 2014, p. 248.
  52. Holt & Holt 2014, p. 249.
  53. Jones 2010, p. 150.
  54. Holt & Holt 2014, pp. 192–193.
  55. Holt & Holt 2014, pp. 193–194.
  56. "The Western Front Today – Kruisstraat Craters"
    http://www.firstworldwar.com/today/kruisstraatcraters.htm
  57. "With the British Army in Flanders: A Tour of Ploegsteert Wood Part 5 – The Kruisstraat Craters"
    http://thebignote.com/2013/08/25/a-tour-of-the-messines-ridge-part-five-the-kruisstraat-craters/
  58. Holt & Holt 2014, p. 195.
  59. "Messines"
    http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/messines.htm
  60. Holt & Holt 2014, p. 200.
  61. Jones 2010, p. 153.
  62. Yuku
    http://ypres1917.fr.yuku.com/topic/740/Trench-127#.VOFCVOmzXIU
  63. "With the British Army in Flanders: A Tour of Ploegsteert Wood Part 12"
    http://thebignote.com/2012/02/06/a-tour-of-ploegsteert-wood-part-twelve/
  64. Holt & Holt 2014, p. 251.
  65. Pedersen 2012.
  66. "With the British Army in Flanders: A Tour of Ploegsteert Wood Part 11 – Le Gheer & The Birdcage"
    http://thebignote.com/2012/01/23/a-tour-of-ploegsteert-wood-part-eleven/
  67. "Location map"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150217012710/http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/uploads/post-92-1160584105.jpg
  68. Clevelode Battletours
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150224051747/http://clevelode-battletours.com/photo-gallery/battle-of-messines-ridge/
  69. "The Western Front Today - Messines Mine 1955"
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