Battle of Messines, 7 June 1917

The first shots of the British offensive came in the form of the customary artillery bombardment, on this occasion from over 2,000 guns. But preceding the infantry attack were explosions from nineteen massive mines placed underneath the German lines at depths of up to 100 feet. The mines, which were placed by Allied tunneling companies in tunnels which had taken six months to dig, caused enormous damage - an estimated 10,000 dead, with thousands more wounded or stunned. Over 7,000 prisoners were taken in the explosion's aftermath.

On the day after the explosions the German troops carried out a well executed retreat to new lines and the status quo was reestablished.

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