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Beneath Hill 60
We all remember images from WWI of massive artillery barrages and soldiers crossing shattered landscapes towards certain slaughter. Beneath these killing fields of the Western Front, another war was taking place, a deadly game 30 meters down, played between thousands of troops. These were not infantrymen, but miners. Their mutual goal was to tunnel beneath "no man's land," under the opposing lines and destroy the German enemy from below. Unfortunately, the Germans had the same idea and were digging in from the other side. Over 4,585 Australian miners took part in this secret subterranean war, fighting under stress and conditions that terrified even the most hardened infantryman on the surface. The 1st Australian Tunneling Division was responsible for the mines set under "Hill 60," a high point that dominated that part of the killing fields of Belgium. They were led by Captain Oliver Woodward who had started his mining career in Charters Towers, Queensland and went on to head BHP in Australia. His bravery and that of his men in guarding those underground mines and their subsequent massive explosions broke the gridlocked trench warfare that had continued for three years. Through exhaustive research, Will Davies has uncovered first-hand accounts of life for the tunnelers and soldiers at the front. In sharing their hopes, dreams, victories, and disappointments he tells the broad story of day after day in the mud at the front line and uncovers the glorious spirit of these men who fought and died for their countries. Beneath Hill 60 is an unforgettable story.
272 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 2, 2014
A fine read on a little discussed subject. I applaud Will Davis for producing such an easy to approach book that could easily have been caught up in far too much technical detail. This book deserves a wider audience and anyone with a modicum of interest in WW1 will come away with just that little more learnt about this brutal war.
December 29, 2019
Probably a 3.5. The book is very good, and I learnt things I never knew, but structurally I thought it was a bit confusing. It definitely needed to include a number of maps to have a better grasp of locations being talked about. An excellent record of courage and mateship in the face of extreme adversity and a wonderful story of Captain Oliver Woodward. I found the Glossary useful but did not think it was complete enough, with a number of omissions which I had to further check out. I would now like to read some other of Will’s books.
May 13, 2019
I wanted to finish this book before watching the movie. Such an Amazing piece of Australian history that should never be forgotten.
February 26, 2014
Love to give this a five star, purely because of the bravery of these men. But the book doesn't really concentrate on any one facet for much more than a page or so. It is full of names of people and places which are only mentioned once. And dates!!!!!!!!! I guess that they are important in the overall history, but I hate too many dates and peoples names and too many place names. I thought that the book could have concentrated more on the terror and day to day work that these guys did. But apart from a couple of terrifying sentences, there was nothing much about the digging. A disappointing read about a fascinating part of history
May 1, 2022
The book highlights a lesser known aspect of the Great War, the tunnellers. Even before the intricate series of mines at Messines was devised, men were burrowing under No Man's Land and the enemy trenches in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
While the book does tend to jump around a bit, it does not detract from how well it conveys the claustrophobic atmosphere and terror of this type of warfare. While the whole book couldn't just be about mining Hill 60, it does do well in providing context for the coming battle as both sides seek to assert dominance on the other and destroy each other's workings, sometimes 20 to 30m below ground. This tends to lead to a bit of back and forth as new concepts and people are introduced, but does involve some back tracking to provide context. Again, Will Davies' writing was engaging enough for this not to be something I would be concerned with in recommending this book.
I believe it does do well in conveying some of the stress in not only maintaining the huge mines for 12 months or more against the elements, but making sure the Germans didn't find them before the attack. The history of the mining and how the equipment and techniques are developed over time is fascinating, while the counter mining activities remains chilling.
It makes you think of just how awful it must have been for these men in the trenches. Bombed and shelled from above, shot at from the front, and mined from underneath - horrific.
This book provides a good overview of tunneling in the Great War, while introducing us to the men who played pivotal roles in carrying out a most dangerous and terrifying task.
While the book does tend to jump around a bit, it does not detract from how well it conveys the claustrophobic atmosphere and terror of this type of warfare. While the whole book couldn't just be about mining Hill 60, it does do well in providing context for the coming battle as both sides seek to assert dominance on the other and destroy each other's workings, sometimes 20 to 30m below ground. This tends to lead to a bit of back and forth as new concepts and people are introduced, but does involve some back tracking to provide context. Again, Will Davies' writing was engaging enough for this not to be something I would be concerned with in recommending this book.
I believe it does do well in conveying some of the stress in not only maintaining the huge mines for 12 months or more against the elements, but making sure the Germans didn't find them before the attack. The history of the mining and how the equipment and techniques are developed over time is fascinating, while the counter mining activities remains chilling.
It makes you think of just how awful it must have been for these men in the trenches. Bombed and shelled from above, shot at from the front, and mined from underneath - horrific.
This book provides a good overview of tunneling in the Great War, while introducing us to the men who played pivotal roles in carrying out a most dangerous and terrifying task.
November 17, 2018
Visit the Western Front in Ieper (Ypres) and you’ll find an unassuming memorial dedicated to an Australian tunnelling unit during the First World War.
In an effort to break the stalemate that was trench warfare and hopefully end the war sooner, hundreds of tunnels were secretly dug beneath the surface by men who came from mining backgrounds. Their only job was to work underground in extremely dangerous conditions in order to plant explosives underneath and set them off. The end result of which would blow a crater swallowing the men in the trenches.
Will Davies brings to life a chapter of Australian military history and for me having seen the monument gave me a wonderful memory as I could easily visualise the locales on the Western Front he mentions in the book
In an effort to break the stalemate that was trench warfare and hopefully end the war sooner, hundreds of tunnels were secretly dug beneath the surface by men who came from mining backgrounds. Their only job was to work underground in extremely dangerous conditions in order to plant explosives underneath and set them off. The end result of which would blow a crater swallowing the men in the trenches.
Will Davies brings to life a chapter of Australian military history and for me having seen the monument gave me a wonderful memory as I could easily visualise the locales on the Western Front he mentions in the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2020
Mud, sweat and courage!
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical gem. We all I think appreciate that the Aussies were and are a tough lot. Oliver Woodward was a modest guy with huge shoulders. His men must have loved him to so deservingly trust him. Full of fascinating facts from many that were there I highly recommend this well written offering into an aspect of WW1 that is rarely shared. Thanks Will, much appreciated.
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical gem. We all I think appreciate that the Aussies were and are a tough lot. Oliver Woodward was a modest guy with huge shoulders. His men must have loved him to so deservingly trust him. Full of fascinating facts from many that were there I highly recommend this well written offering into an aspect of WW1 that is rarely shared. Thanks Will, much appreciated.
May 7, 2021
Read this book in a morning it was so interesting and well written. Knew a bit about the "mining" operations during the 1st World War on the Western Front but learnt a lot more. The main protagonist seems to have a life well spent!
July 1, 2012
Beneath Hill 60 by Will Davies, is a 2011 non-fiction account of the tunnelling activities of the war, with particular emphasis on the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company, Captain Oliver Woodward, and the mining under the Messines Ridge, the detonation of which kicked off the 3rd Battle of Ypres in 1917. Will Davies edited "Somme Mud", and was asked to prepare this book to tie in with the 2010 film "Beneath Hill 60".
This book is a very readable piece of nonfiction. It relies heavily on Woodward’s diaries, but situates them in the broader context of the war, tunnelling activities that the Germans and allies undertook, and the movements of the AIF generally. It also provides some technical details of tunnelling, which you can either focus on or skim according to your wont (I skimmed). Davies gives prominence to the bravery and engineering skill of other tunnellers, mostly on the allied side, including the tunnelling at Gallipoli, which I had never really considered, and famous explosions such as that at Hooge. He also talks about the various horrid ways the tunnellers could die, and the effects on the nerves of the men, both those in the mines, and those above it, who were constantly paranoid about the enemy tunnelling activities.
The narrative jumps around a bit in time, but is always anchored by Woodward’s path towards the Hill 60 mines and then his path away from it, which works well. Woodward’s diaries lend Beneath Hill 60 a really nice narrative and human element that keeps it quite engaging even through the drier technical details. He was one of only four Aussies to earn the MC three times during the war, and comes across as very courageous and also with humour and insight. Woodward was a successful mining supervisor in his late 20s when war broke out, and he did not join up because he felt that with the AIF currently just in training in Egypt, he could be of more use in the mines. When the tunnelling companies were established, he enlisted and was selected for officer training. He went across to France in late 1915, and was then in almost constant action until early 1919. His stress over the Hill 60 mines and his constant checking that they hadn’t been compromised come across very well, and his later actions are also included.
All in all, this is a quick, engaging read for anyone whose interest in the tunnelling activities of WWI has been whetted by the film Beneath Hill 60, or by Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong or its recent adaptation.
This book is a very readable piece of nonfiction. It relies heavily on Woodward’s diaries, but situates them in the broader context of the war, tunnelling activities that the Germans and allies undertook, and the movements of the AIF generally. It also provides some technical details of tunnelling, which you can either focus on or skim according to your wont (I skimmed). Davies gives prominence to the bravery and engineering skill of other tunnellers, mostly on the allied side, including the tunnelling at Gallipoli, which I had never really considered, and famous explosions such as that at Hooge. He also talks about the various horrid ways the tunnellers could die, and the effects on the nerves of the men, both those in the mines, and those above it, who were constantly paranoid about the enemy tunnelling activities.
The narrative jumps around a bit in time, but is always anchored by Woodward’s path towards the Hill 60 mines and then his path away from it, which works well. Woodward’s diaries lend Beneath Hill 60 a really nice narrative and human element that keeps it quite engaging even through the drier technical details. He was one of only four Aussies to earn the MC three times during the war, and comes across as very courageous and also with humour and insight. Woodward was a successful mining supervisor in his late 20s when war broke out, and he did not join up because he felt that with the AIF currently just in training in Egypt, he could be of more use in the mines. When the tunnelling companies were established, he enlisted and was selected for officer training. He went across to France in late 1915, and was then in almost constant action until early 1919. His stress over the Hill 60 mines and his constant checking that they hadn’t been compromised come across very well, and his later actions are also included.
All in all, this is a quick, engaging read for anyone whose interest in the tunnelling activities of WWI has been whetted by the film Beneath Hill 60, or by Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong or its recent adaptation.
September 26, 2010
On the 7th June, 1917 nineteen massive mines erupted beneath the Messines Ridge, smashing open the German frontline. It was the largest man-made explosion in history, ten thousand German soldiers died.
“Beneath Hill 60” is a poignant reminder of how brutal, horrific and primitive conditions were on the front during World War one. Written by historian Will Davies, the book pulls no punches and vividly relates the dangers of tunnelling metres from enemy lines.
Captain Oliver Woodward, a member of the Australian Imperial Force and No 1 Company of the newly formed Mining Battalion is a key figure in this true story but the book offers so much more.
Davies would have been forgiven in concentrating solely on Woodward’s part in the capture of Hill 60 beneath the Messines Ridge but he does a remarkable job in recounting the background history to the skirmishes and tunnelling.
The use of tunnellers in the military had a long history even though it had been for decades neglected. The main purpose was to build hospitals, underground storage and billets and if designed and built correctly with a constant supply of water and food the military could hold out against the enemy almost indefinitely.
Not only were tunnels designed to store and protect but they also allowed a way to attack fortifications by digging below a structure. However the introduction of gunpowder in the mid-13th century rendered tunnelling an obsolete skill.
Following savage attacks from German tunnellers killing thousands of soldiers and a distinct lack of technical ability from the British to retaliate Field Marshal Lord Kitchener called upon the services of Conservative MP John Norton-Griffiths. Three months after his initial request, Griffiths and his “moles” began digging their way towards the German front heralding a new professionalism to the tunnelling movement.
Complete Review on my blog
“Beneath Hill 60” is a poignant reminder of how brutal, horrific and primitive conditions were on the front during World War one. Written by historian Will Davies, the book pulls no punches and vividly relates the dangers of tunnelling metres from enemy lines.
Captain Oliver Woodward, a member of the Australian Imperial Force and No 1 Company of the newly formed Mining Battalion is a key figure in this true story but the book offers so much more.
Davies would have been forgiven in concentrating solely on Woodward’s part in the capture of Hill 60 beneath the Messines Ridge but he does a remarkable job in recounting the background history to the skirmishes and tunnelling.
The use of tunnellers in the military had a long history even though it had been for decades neglected. The main purpose was to build hospitals, underground storage and billets and if designed and built correctly with a constant supply of water and food the military could hold out against the enemy almost indefinitely.
Not only were tunnels designed to store and protect but they also allowed a way to attack fortifications by digging below a structure. However the introduction of gunpowder in the mid-13th century rendered tunnelling an obsolete skill.
Following savage attacks from German tunnellers killing thousands of soldiers and a distinct lack of technical ability from the British to retaliate Field Marshal Lord Kitchener called upon the services of Conservative MP John Norton-Griffiths. Three months after his initial request, Griffiths and his “moles” began digging their way towards the German front heralding a new professionalism to the tunnelling movement.
Complete Review on my blog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2014
A fascinating and detailed account of the little known struggle beneath the Western Front. The Aussie diggers tunnelling companies had an unenviable task which are well described by the author. I cannot help but feel tremendous admiration for these men and the incredible ordeals they went through.
Note that this is not a novelisation of the "Beneath Hill 60" movie, but rather an independently written history of this war, focussing on the experiences of Oliver Woodward. It is worth both reading this book and viewing the (excellent) movie also.
Note that this is not a novelisation of the "Beneath Hill 60" movie, but rather an independently written history of this war, focussing on the experiences of Oliver Woodward. It is worth both reading this book and viewing the (excellent) movie also.
Read
August 5, 2011Not my usual choice of read, but an interesting enough book. Easy to read and engaging enough to keep going, it provides some fascinating insight into a part of World War I that I had previously known very little about. Definitely worth a read if you enjoy this sort of book.
August 8, 2011
An Inspiring True Story of the Australian Tunnelling Companies of WW 1 .... I enjoyed it all the more given that my Great Uncle was in the 1st Australian Tunelling Coy .
What those Brave Men went through in that theatre of the War is incredible.
Highly Reconmended Read
What those Brave Men went through in that theatre of the War is incredible.
Highly Reconmended Read
November 20, 2016
3.5 Stars. A great part of Australian war history, however I found the book to jump around, hard to follow, and full of names that appeared once and never again or if they did reappear I had lost it in the other names in the interim.
December 31, 2012
It was very very very dull.
December 18, 2016
It us a bit all over the place and doesn't solely focus on Hill 60. I still learned quite a lot about those types of battles but because the focus moved around I feel that there was a lack in detail.
March 5, 2017
Beneath Hill 60 by Will Davies, is a 2011 non-fiction account of the tunnelling activities of the war, with particular emphasis on the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company, Captain Oliver Woodward, and the mining under the Messines Ridge, the detonation of which kicked off the 3rd Battle of Ypres in 1917. Will Davies edited "Somme Mud", and was asked to prepare this book to tie in with the 2010 film "Beneath Hill 60".
This book is a very readable piece of nonfiction. It relies heavily on Woodward’s diaries, but situates them in the broader context of the war, tunnelling activities that the Germans and allies undertook, and the movements of the AIF generally. It also provides some technical details of tunnelling, which you can either focus on or skim according to your wont (I skimmed). Davies gives prominence to the bravery and engineering skill of other tunnellers, mostly on the allied side, including the tunnelling at Gallipoli, which I had never really considered, and famous explosions such as that at Hooge. He also talks about the various horrid ways the tunnellers could die, and the effects on the nerves of the men, both those in the mines, and those above it, who were constantly paranoid about the enemy tunnelling activities.
The narrative jumps around a bit in time, but is always anchored by Woodward’s path towards the Hill 60 mines and then his path away from it, which works well. Woodward’s diaries lend Beneath Hill 60 a really nice narrative and human element that keeps it quite engaging even through the drier technical details. He was one of only four Aussies to earn the MC three times during the war, and comes across as very courageous and also with humour and insight. Woodward was a successful mining supervisor in his late 20s when war broke out, and he did not join up because he felt that with the AIF currently just in training in Egypt, he could be of more use in the mines. When the tunnelling companies were established, he enlisted and was selected for officer training. He went across to France in late 1915, and was then in almost constant action until early 1919. His stress over the Hill 60 mines and his constant checking that they hadn’t been compromised come across very well, and his later actions are also included.
All in all, this is a quick, engaging read for anyone whose interest in the tunnelling activities of WWI has been whetted by the film Beneath Hill 60, or by Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong or its recent adaptation.
This book is a very readable piece of nonfiction. It relies heavily on Woodward’s diaries, but situates them in the broader context of the war, tunnelling activities that the Germans and allies undertook, and the movements of the AIF generally. It also provides some technical details of tunnelling, which you can either focus on or skim according to your wont (I skimmed). Davies gives prominence to the bravery and engineering skill of other tunnellers, mostly on the allied side, including the tunnelling at Gallipoli, which I had never really considered, and famous explosions such as that at Hooge. He also talks about the various horrid ways the tunnellers could die, and the effects on the nerves of the men, both those in the mines, and those above it, who were constantly paranoid about the enemy tunnelling activities.
The narrative jumps around a bit in time, but is always anchored by Woodward’s path towards the Hill 60 mines and then his path away from it, which works well. Woodward’s diaries lend Beneath Hill 60 a really nice narrative and human element that keeps it quite engaging even through the drier technical details. He was one of only four Aussies to earn the MC three times during the war, and comes across as very courageous and also with humour and insight. Woodward was a successful mining supervisor in his late 20s when war broke out, and he did not join up because he felt that with the AIF currently just in training in Egypt, he could be of more use in the mines. When the tunnelling companies were established, he enlisted and was selected for officer training. He went across to France in late 1915, and was then in almost constant action until early 1919. His stress over the Hill 60 mines and his constant checking that they hadn’t been compromised come across very well, and his later actions are also included.
All in all, this is a quick, engaging read for anyone whose interest in the tunnelling activities of WWI has been whetted by the film Beneath Hill 60, or by Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong or its recent adaptation.
May 14, 2018
This is a really important book to read as it tells the largely unknown story of the WWI tunnellers and their role in the war. It can be a little tricky to understand sometimes and I'd recommend having a map handy to help visualise the various fronts. I also would have liked to have read more about the lives of the tunnellers. Despite that, however, it is still a really interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews