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Researchers from the United Kingdom have made groundbreaking discoveries about the strategic use of a crater by German soldiers during the First World War. The crater was formed by a mine explosion carried out by British forces.
On July 1, 1916, the explosion of the Hawthorn Ridge near Beaumont Hamel, France marked the beginning of the Battle of the Somme. This day is often referred to as the deadliest in the British Army’s history.
The explosion occurred 10 minutes prior to the signal for the attack to commence at 7:30am.
The goal was for the bombardment to assist British soldiers in crossing the area known as “no man’s land” and taking control of German trenches.
The crater at Hawthorn Ridge, located in the village of Beaumont Hamel, France, was documented by the Hawthorn Ridge Crater Association/PA.
However, this resulted in giving German soldiers the opportunity to establish defensive positions in the newly created crater, resulting in over 57,000 British casualties, including 19,000 fatalities, on the initial day of the battle.
Scientists have recently unearthed the previously unknown portion of a German trench, complete with barbed wire, which was used as a fire bay. This discovery was made in a 107-year-old crater.
In the first scientific investigation of the Hawthorn Ridge explosion site, researchers have uncovered proof of a shallow tunnel that was likely created by the Germans in an attempt to reach the British lines.
Dr. Jamie Pringle, a forensic geoscientist from Keele University and the author of the study, stated that the mine explosion was the initial move in the Battle of the Somme, strategically planned to give the Allied forces an advantage.
This is the first time we have discovered physical proof of German soldiers utilizing a crater caused by an explosion to their advantage as a defensive position.
Professor Peter Doyle, a military historian at Goldsmiths, University of London, who was part of the team, added: “The Germans had quickly mastered the art of capturing craters and used this to their advantage.
Despite suffering significant casualties in the initial explosion, the crater was incorporated into the German front line, resulting in the missed opportunity to breach the line in this location.
Our research has presented fresh proof of the fortified position constructed by the Germans using the captured crater in the center of the area between enemy trenches, ultimately leading to the unsuccessful British assault.
“This further emphasizes the notion that detonating the mine 10 minutes ahead of schedule was a major mistake.”
The team of researchers, which consisted of professionals from Staffordshire University, Atlantic Technological University, London South Bank University, Stoke-on-Trent Archaeology Service, Goldsmiths, University of London, and Cotswold Archaeology, were granted special permission to study the site by the Hawthorn Ridge Crater Association. This organization is dedicated to safeguarding the site.
The group also discovered numerous holes caused by shells fired by the Allies and uncovered a British shrapnel artillery shell that had not exploded, still containing its time-fuse – believed to be one of many that did not detonate.
The specialists found an unfilled ammunition container for a Vickers, a heavy machine gun that was extensively utilized in both world wars.
According to Dr. Kris Wisniewski, an instructor in forensic science at Keele University, the examination of the “historically significant crater” is both thrilling and noteworthy.
He stated, “By utilizing drones equipped with imaging cameras, we were able to remotely capture images of a possible sap or shallow tunnel to the northwest of the crater. This demonstrates the German’s expertise in controlling no man’s land following the initial explosion.”
The researchers reported that another mine was detonated by British troops on November 13, creating a fresh crater.
According to reports, this explosion was more successful in aiding the capture of the ridge and the nearby village of Beaumont Hamel.
The findings have been published in the Journal of Conflict Archaeology.
Source: independent.co.uk
