[BTSYM February 2017 Meeting]
Speakers: David Hedges, Bruce Simpson & Alan Thomas - Durand Group
The Durand Group is a team formed of volunteer sappers, tunnelling engineers, archaeologists, bomb-disposal experts and electrical engineers that specialise in the identification and exploration of subways and fighting tunnels used during WW1.
Formed in 1998, the group initially concentrated on the Canadian WW1 Memorial sites of Vimy and Beaumont Hamel. Their exploration is not only of historical interest but also of prime safety importance if unexploded mines are found in fighting tunnels. Over thirty are known to still be live to this day and can contain up to 20,000lbs of high explosives.
For the last decade they have widened their exploration area to include the Somme and Loos battlefields. As well as British and German tunnelling systems, they also search for entrances to Souterraines (caves) – large underground medieval chalk quarries that were used by both sides to store materiel and accommodate soldiers during the conflict.
This presentation will address:
-Tunnelling techinques used during WW1
-Mapping and exploration of underground space on battlefields.
-EOD (bomb) disposal
Disclaimer : All opinions and views expressed by the speakers, including those participating in the Q&A, are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the British Tunnelling Society or the Institution of Civil Engineers.
