What weapons were used in World War 1 for tunnel warfare?

Answer 1

Many different tools were used by tunnellers during WW1, the British and Commonwealth mainly used a Clay Shovel, as many came from that back ground in civilian life . A plank was wedged to the ceiling and floor at 45 Degrees and they would lay back upon it opposite the face of work. Then literally kick at the face, they were known as "Clay Kickers".

Whilst the Germans who were specifically from the Engineering Core used a short handled pick and trimmed away at the face.

Obviously this depended upon the strata and geology of the face, but most work was done in the Blue Clay of Passchendale, the Somme and Ypres etc. Small railed bogeys carried off the silently bagged soil, making a small railway.

In action and counter mine activity a simple auger or big screw bit was used when enemy workings were discovered, this bore into the strata towards the target mine, then a Camouflage or a 1m approximately long explosive mine was placed, then detonated causing the tunnels to explode or deform, killing most enemy about.

Due to the need of silent and vigilance, playing cat and mouse, listening posts using a simple stick with an ear piece to stethoscope and then more complex microphones were used for detection.

On the many occasions where enemy tunnels crossed allied workings, either by accident or to extinguish the tunnel or snatch a prisoner for interrogation. The men fought hand to hand in areas of cramped or limited space, so pistols, sawn off rifles, knives, hammers or sharpened small hand shovels were used as the men were reduced to fighting like cavemen.

This job, top secret from even the troops in the trenches and many times during 24 hr shifts used men from Mining, Civil Engineering and Railway back grounds for their expertise. Consequently they used many tools improvised to resemble the tools of their profession. The most valuable tool some said were the Canaries and mice who went to work with the tunnellers to stop the silent menace of Carbon Monoxide or Gas.

Mostly drunk, working 12 hour shifts the men who were isolated from other units had become a law to themselves below ground. Even top officers bowing to their will and expertise when they were underground, when up top they wore eye shades to protect their dark adjusted sight like moles. Although they received 6 Shillings and Six Pence a week at that a normal Tommy received the same a month. It was`NT much recompense, many died in explosions, accidents, gassing, hand to hand combat which were daily occurances.

My great-grandfather a Durham Miner was amongst them, he returned with PTSD, (Shell Shock or Neurasmia) so changed and seemingly psychotic in drink especially he attempted to Murder my Grand Father without even knowing he`d done it. He smashed a baking bowl repeatedly at his head and it was his left arm that took the damage being nearly severed at the elbow. He lay in a Coma for weeks and his father was looking at the hang mans noose. Until charges were dropped 3 months later, leaving my grand father greatly disabled all his life.

All in all, a terrible sacrifice given by all touched by this war, unfortunately not the one to spare future generations similar depravities.