Belgian soil hides battle scars

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7246038.stm

Belgian soil hides battle scars
By Robert Hall
BBC News

Ypres trench
Conditions at the front were horrendous for troops

Finding the tunnel
It looks incongruous across the dank, misty farmland north of Ypres. A
large party marquee erected amongst the winter stubble; but it marks
one of the most ambitious battlefield archaeology projects ever
attempted.

I last visited this farm a year ago, on that occasion soggy from
recent rain and swept by chilly easterly winds. Across that landscape
a small survey team were mapping what lay below, using ground-
penetrating radar.

Ninety years after Flanders was torn apart by war, most of the
battlefield has now disappeared. Yet, beneath the soil hidden
reminders lie undisturbed.

Daily life under fire forced the warring armies to seek safety
underground; hundreds of shelters and headquarters were constructed in
this sector alone.

The archaeologists have spent years searching for one such example -
the Vampire Dugout - from where a Brigadier General and his staff
planned for attacks that so often proved futile, and costly.

Remarkable condition

The team have used every technique available to them from radar, to
dowsing, from spades to excavators. Finally, it was local information
that led to a crucial discovery.

The army tunnellers who spent three months digging the shelter, did so
using a 40 foot deep shaft, today it's open once more. Now British
experts with their Belgian counterparts are preparing to enter the
tunnel complex.


I've never seen anything like this. This shaft was constructed more
than 90 years ago, and you wouldn't know it.
Peter Barton
Gazing down at the tiny figures at the base of the shaft, Peter
Barton, whose research has been central to the project pointed out
timber that looked in remarkable condition.

"I've never seen anything like this. This shaft was constructed more
than 90 years ago, and you wouldn't know it. We now know that the
tunnels are lined with steel, and have survived intact."

Buckets of silt are still being winched to the surface yielding the
first evidence of those who worked and slept here; a shiny clip of
British rifle ammunition, a water container, machine parts, even a
brass safety pin.

Far more lies beyond, but there are hazards to be overcome. Outside
the tent, at a safe distance, a pile of rusting unexploded shells
awaits disposal.

In the tunnels where pumps once ran night and day, thousands of
gallons of water have accumulated, a lake that needs to be dry before
the real archaeology can begin.

The team describe it as like exploring an under sea wreck without the
diving suits. Their work, deep below the old trench lines has barely
begun.

"Olive Green" a écrit dans le message de
...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7246038.stm

Belgian soil hides battle scars
By Robert Hall
BBC News

Ypres trench
Conditions at the front were horrendous for troops

Finding the tunnel
It looks incongruous across the dank, misty farmland north of Ypres. A
large party marquee erected amongst the winter stubble; but it marks
one of the most ambitious battlefield archaeology projects ever
attempted.

I last visited this farm a year ago, on that occasion soggy from
recent rain and swept by chilly easterly winds. Across that landscape
a small survey team were mapping what lay below, using ground-
penetrating radar.

Ninety years after Flanders was torn apart by war, most of the
battlefield has now disappeared. Yet, beneath the soil hidden
reminders lie undisturbed.

Daily life under fire forced the warring armies to seek safety
underground; hundreds of shelters and headquarters were constructed in
this sector alone.

The archaeologists have spent years searching for one such example -
the Vampire Dugout - from where a Brigadier General and his staff
planned for attacks that so often proved futile, and costly.

Remarkable condition

The team have used every technique available to them from radar, to
dowsing, from spades to excavators. Finally, it was local information
that led to a crucial discovery.

The army tunnellers who spent three months digging the shelter, did so
using a 40 foot deep shaft, today it's open once more. Now British
experts with their Belgian counterparts are preparing to enter the
tunnel complex.


I've never seen anything like this. This shaft was constructed more
than 90 years ago, and you wouldn't know it.
Peter Barton
Gazing down at the tiny figures at the base of the shaft, Peter
Barton, whose research has been central to the project pointed out
timber that looked in remarkable condition.

"I've never seen anything like this. This shaft was constructed more
than 90 years ago, and you wouldn't know it. We now know that the
tunnels are lined with steel, and have survived intact."

Buckets of silt are still being winched to the surface yielding the
first evidence of those who worked and slept here; a shiny clip of
British rifle ammunition, a water container, machine parts, even a
brass safety pin.

Far more lies beyond, but there are hazards to be overcome. Outside
the tent, at a safe distance, a pile of rusting unexploded shells
awaits disposal.

In the tunnels where pumps once ran night and day, thousands of
gallons of water have accumulated, a lake that needs to be dry before
the real archaeology can begin.

The team describe it as like exploring an under sea wreck without the
diving suits. Their work, deep below the old trench lines has barely
begun.

On Feb 15, 2:33*am, Olive Green wrote:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7246038.stm

Belgian soil hides battle scars
By Robert Hall
BBC News

Ypres trench
Conditions at the front were horrendous for troops


Visit the trenches of Ypres. There are a number of museums and WWI
Battle sites around Flanders
http://www.bargaintraveleurope.com/0...Fields_WWI.htm