Synopsis
The original version of this memoir was entitled The Lighter Side of a Tunneler's Life; Dixon had hoped to get it published in the late thirties, but this was a period when many publishers considered that there was ‘memoir fatigue’ as regards the Great War – and a new war was looming.
With a background in mining and tunneling (the internal evidence suggests that some of this was done in South Africa), he served with a tunneling company and was then transferred to GHQ in Montreuil to handle mining plans and records. The British organized their mining at Army and GHQ level, with a close control on operational activity being reserved to GHQ. In due course he was appointed as one of the Assistant Inspectors of Mines, a small group of Royal engineers’ officers who operated as the eyes and ears of the Inspector of Mines, who exercised overall control on mining operations. His activity in this role is particularly important for the period after the June 1917 Messines Offensive, when the use of mining for blows against the enemy substantially diminished – indeed, all but disappeared – and the tunneling companies were reallocated to a new range of tasks.
His manuscript, produced in 1933, was intended for publication, but remained no more than a draft, rescued some time ago by one of the editors from the Royal Engineers’ archives at Chatham.
Dixon remarks that the carnage and horrors of war have been deliberately omitted, for enough and to spare has been written about these aspects by countless others. His manuscript, alternatively, provides a valuable insight into the overall conduct of mining operations and the tactical and strategic considerations that rarely feature in other accounts.
He was at the center of staff activity that set about countering the effects of the German Kaiserslacht offensives in March, April and May 1918, and the preparations for a possible German breakthrough to the channel ports. Subsequently, with the allied advances of the ‘Last Hundred Days’, he became considerably occupied by the hazards of dealing with delayed action mines and booby traps.
Aside from these tactical and strategic considerations, he recounts, by means of numerous humorous anecdotes, the personalities and work of the staff at GHQ, ranging from humble clerks and the misdemeanors of his batman to senior officers. He brings to life the exceptional endeavors of the often maligned senior staff and the individual characteristics of many senior staff officers who are otherwise but shadows in accounts of the Great War.
The editors have added extensive notes explaining and, on occasions correcting, Dixon’s accounts; these are illustrated with explanatory plans and diagrams along with photographs of many of the personalities he describes. The combination provides a very personal perspective of the conduct of the war at GHQ.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Nigel Cave is the founder editor of the Battleground Europe series; his association with the Company goes back some thirty years.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Search results for Directing the Tunnellers' War: The Tunnelling Memoirs...
Seller Image
Directing the Tunnellers' War (Hardcover)
Published by
Pen & Sword Books Ltd, South Yorkshire, 2020
ISBN 10: 1526714418
ISBN 13: 9781526714411
New
Hardcover
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. A first-hand account of the underground work of the First World War-from the firing of mines to constructing subways to bureaucratic mishaps. The original version of this memoir was entitled The Lighter Side of a Tunneller's Life; he has hoped to get it published in the late thirties, but this was a period when many publishers considered that there was memoir fatigue as regards the Great War and a new war was looming. With a background in mining and tunneling (the internal evidence suggests that some of this was done in South Africa), he served with a Tunnelling Company and was then transferred to GHQ in Montreuil to handle mining plans and records. The British organised their mining at Army and GHQ level, with a close control on operational activity being reserved to GHQ. In due course he was appointed as one of the Assistant Inspectors of Mines, a small group of Royal engineers officers who operated as the eyes and ears of the Inspector of Mines, who exercised overall control on mining operations. His activity in this role is particularly important for the period after the June 1917 Messines Offensive, when the use of mining for blows against the enemy substantially diminished indeed, all but disappeared and the tunneling companies were reallocated to a new range of tasks. His manuscript, produced in 1933, was intended for publication, but remained no more than a draft, rescued some time ago by one of the editors from the Royal Engineers archives at Chatham. Dixon remarks that the carnage and horrors of war have been deliberately omitted, for enough and to spare has been written about these aspects by countless others. His manuscript, alternatively, provides a valuable insight into the overall conduct of mining operations and the tactical and strategic considerations that rarely feature in other accounts. He was at the centre of staff activity that set about countering the effects of the German Kaiserslacht offensives in March, April and May 1918, and the preparations for a possible German breakthrough to the channel ports. Subsequently, with the allied advances of the Last Hundred Days , he became considerably occupied by the hazards of dealing with delayed action mines and booby traps. Aside from these tactical and strategic considerations, he recounts, by means of numerous humorous anecdotes, the personalities and work of the staff at GHQ, ranging from humble clerks and the misdemeanors of his batman to senior officers. He brings to life the exceptional endeavours of the often maligned senior staff and the individual characteristics of many senior staff officers who are otherwise but shadows in accounts of the Great War. The editors have added extensive notes explaining and, on occasions correcting, Dixon s accounts; these are illustrated with explanatory plans and diagrams along with photographs of many of the personalities he describes. The combination provides a very personal perspective of the conduct of the war at GHQ. 32 b/w illustrations Relatively unusual personal memoir of a tunnelling officer Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781526714411
Stock Image
DIRECTING THE TUNNELLERSâ WARThe Tunnelling Memoirs of Captain H Dixon MC RE
Seller: Naval and Military Press Ltd, Uckfield, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Hardback 240 pages Illustrations: 32 black and white illustrations and additional mapsPublished Price £19.99 The original version of this memoir was entitled The Lighter Side of a Tunnellerâs Life; Dixon had hoped to get it published in the late thirties, but this was a period when many publishers considered that there was memoir fatigue as regards the Great War and a new war was looming. With a background in mining and tunneling (the internal evidence suggests that some of this was done in South Africa), he served with a Tunnelling Company and was then transferred to GHQ in Montreuil to handle mining plans and records. The British organized their mining at Army and GHQ level, with a close control on operational activity being reserved to GHQ. In due course he was appointed as one of the Assistant Inspectors of Mines, a small group of Royal engineers officers who operated as the eyes and ears of the Inspector of Mines, who exercised overall control on mining operations. His activity in this role is particularly important for the period after the June 1917 Messines Offensive, when the use of mining for blows against the enemy substantially diminished indeed, all but disappeared and the tunneling companies were reallocated to a new range of tasks. His manuscript, produced in 1933, was intended for publication, but remained no more than a draft, rescued some time ago by one of the editors from the Royal Engineers archives at Chatham. Dixon remarks that the carnage and horrors of war have been deliberately omitted, for enough and to spare has been written about these aspects by countless others. His manuscript, alternatively, provides a valuable insight into the overall conduct of mining operations and the tactical and strategic considerations that rarely feature in other accounts. He was at the centre of staff activity that set about countering the effects of the German Kaiserslacht offensives in March, April and May 1918, and the preparations for a possible German breakthrough to the channel ports. Subsequently, with the allied advances of the Last Hundred Days , he became considerably occupied by the hazards of dealing with delayed action mines and booby traps. Aside from these tactical and strategic considerations, he recounts, by means of numerous humorous anecdotes, the personalities and work of the staff at GHQ, ranging from humble clerks and the misdemeanors of his batman to senior officers. He brings to life the exceptional endeavours of the often maligned senior staff and the individual characteristics of many senior staff officers who are otherwise but shadows in accounts of the Great War. The editors have added extensive notes explaining and, on occasions correcting, Dixon s accounts; these are illustrated with explanatory plans and diagrams along with photographs of many of the personalities he describes. The combination provides a very personal perspective of the conduct of the war at GHQ. Seller Inventory # 30946
Buy New
US$ 8.35
US$ 19.61 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 10 available
Stock Image
Directing the War Underground Format: Hardcover
Seller: INDOO, Avenel, NJ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 9781526714411
Stock Image
Directing the Tunnellers' War: The Tunnelling Memoirs of Captain H Dixon MC RE
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Seller Inventory # mon0003237974
Stock Image
Directing the Tunnellers' War: The Tunnelling Memoirs of Captain H Dixon MC RE
Seller: Book Bunker USA, Havertown, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: New. *Brand new* Ships from USA. Seller Inventory # 9781526714411
Seller Image
Directing the Tunnellers' War
Published by
Pen and Sword Books Ltd, GB, 2020
ISBN 10: 1526714418
ISBN 13: 9781526714411
New
Hardcover
Seller: Rarewaves USA, OSWEGO, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: New. The original version of this memoir was entitled The Lighter Side of a Tunneller s Life; he has hoped to get it published in the late thirties, but this was a period when many publishers considered that there was memoir fatigue as regards the Great War and a new war was looming. With a background in mining and tunneling (the internal evidence suggests that some of this was done in South Africa), he served with a Tunnelling Company and was then transferred to GHQ in Montreuil to handle mining plans and records. The British organized their mining at Army and GHQ level, with a close control on operational activity being reserved to GHQ. In due course he was appointed as one of the Assistant Inspectors of Mines, a small group of Royal engineers officers who operated as the eyes and ears of the Inspector of Mines, who exercised overall control on mining operations. His activity in this role is particularly important for the period after the June 1917 Messines Offensive, when the use of mining for blows against the enemy substantially diminished indeed, all but disappeared and the tunneling companies were reallocated to a new range of tasks.His manuscript, produced in 1933, was intended for publication, but remained no more than a draft, rescued some time ago by one of the editors from the Royal Engineers archives at Chatham. Dixon remarks that the carnage and horrors of war have been deliberately omitted, for enough and to spare has been written about these aspects by countless others. His manuscript, alternatively, provides a valuable insight into the overall conduct of mining operations and the tactical and strategic considerations that rarely feature in other accounts. He was at the centre of staff activity that set about countering the effects of the German Kaiserslacht offensives in March, April and May 1918, and the preparations for a possible German breakthrough to the channel ports. Subsequently, with the allied advances of the Last Hundred Days , he became considerably occupied by the hazards of dealing with delayed action mines and booby traps. Aside from these tactical and strategic considerations, he recounts, by means of numerous humorous anecdotes, the personalities and work of the staff at GHQ, ranging from humble clerks and the misdemeanors of his batman to senior officers.He brings to life the exceptional endeavours of the often maligned senior staff and the individual characteristics of many senior staff officers who are otherwise but shadows in accounts of the Great War. The editors have added extensive notes explaining and, on occasions correcting, Dixon s accounts; these are illustrated with explanatory plans and diagrams along with photographs of many of the personalities he describes. The combination provides a very personal perspective of the conduct of the war at GHQ. Seller Inventory # LU-9781526714411
Seller Image
Directing the Tunnellers' War
Published by
Pen and Sword Books Ltd, GB, 2020
ISBN 10: 1526714418
ISBN 13: 9781526714411
New
Hardcover
Seller: Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: New. The original version of this memoir was entitled The Lighter Side of a Tunneller s Life; he has hoped to get it published in the late thirties, but this was a period when many publishers considered that there was memoir fatigue as regards the Great War and a new war was looming. With a background in mining and tunneling (the internal evidence suggests that some of this was done in South Africa), he served with a Tunnelling Company and was then transferred to GHQ in Montreuil to handle mining plans and records. The British organized their mining at Army and GHQ level, with a close control on operational activity being reserved to GHQ. In due course he was appointed as one of the Assistant Inspectors of Mines, a small group of Royal engineers officers who operated as the eyes and ears of the Inspector of Mines, who exercised overall control on mining operations. His activity in this role is particularly important for the period after the June 1917 Messines Offensive, when the use of mining for blows against the enemy substantially diminished indeed, all but disappeared and the tunneling companies were reallocated to a new range of tasks.His manuscript, produced in 1933, was intended for publication, but remained no more than a draft, rescued some time ago by one of the editors from the Royal Engineers archives at Chatham. Dixon remarks that the carnage and horrors of war have been deliberately omitted, for enough and to spare has been written about these aspects by countless others. His manuscript, alternatively, provides a valuable insight into the overall conduct of mining operations and the tactical and strategic considerations that rarely feature in other accounts. He was at the centre of staff activity that set about countering the effects of the German Kaiserslacht offensives in March, April and May 1918, and the preparations for a possible German breakthrough to the channel ports. Subsequently, with the allied advances of the Last Hundred Days , he became considerably occupied by the hazards of dealing with delayed action mines and booby traps. Aside from these tactical and strategic considerations, he recounts, by means of numerous humorous anecdotes, the personalities and work of the staff at GHQ, ranging from humble clerks and the misdemeanors of his batman to senior officers.He brings to life the exceptional endeavours of the often maligned senior staff and the individual characteristics of many senior staff officers who are otherwise but shadows in accounts of the Great War. The editors have added extensive notes explaining and, on occasions correcting, Dixon s accounts; these are illustrated with explanatory plans and diagrams along with photographs of many of the personalities he describes. The combination provides a very personal perspective of the conduct of the war at GHQ. Seller Inventory # LU-9781526714411
Buy New
US$ 48.06
Free Shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 9 available
Stock Image
Directing the Tunnellers' War: The Tunnelling Memoirs of Captain H Dixon MC RE
Seller: Kennys Bookshop and Art Galleries Ltd., Galway, GY, Ireland
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. 2021. hardcover. . . . . . Seller Inventory # V9781526714411
Buy New
US$ 48.03
US$ 12.36 shipping
Ships from Ireland to U.S.A.
Ships from Ireland to U.S.A.
Quantity: 17 available
Stock Image
Directing the Tunnellers' War: The Tunnelling Memoirs of Captain H Dixon MC RE
Seller: Kennys Bookstore, Olney, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. 2021. hardcover. . . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # V9781526714411
Stock Image
Directing the Tunnellers' War (Hardcover)
Published by
Pen & Sword Books Ltd, South Yorkshire, 2020
ISBN 10: 1526714418
ISBN 13: 9781526714411
New
Hardcover
Seller: AussieBookSeller, Truganina, VIC, Australia
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. A first-hand account of the underground work of the First World War-from the firing of mines to constructing subways to bureaucratic mishaps. The original version of this memoir was entitled The Lighter Side of a Tunneller's Life; he has hoped to get it published in the late thirties, but this was a period when many publishers considered that there was memoir fatigue as regards the Great War and a new war was looming. With a background in mining and tunneling (the internal evidence suggests that some of this was done in South Africa), he served with a Tunnelling Company and was then transferred to GHQ in Montreuil to handle mining plans and records. The British organised their mining at Army and GHQ level, with a close control on operational activity being reserved to GHQ. In due course he was appointed as one of the Assistant Inspectors of Mines, a small group of Royal engineers officers who operated as the eyes and ears of the Inspector of Mines, who exercised overall control on mining operations. His activity in this role is particularly important for the period after the June 1917 Messines Offensive, when the use of mining for blows against the enemy substantially diminished indeed, all but disappeared and the tunneling companies were reallocated to a new range of tasks. His manuscript, produced in 1933, was intended for publication, but remained no more than a draft, rescued some time ago by one of the editors from the Royal Engineers archives at Chatham. Dixon remarks that the carnage and horrors of war have been deliberately omitted, for enough and to spare has been written about these aspects by countless others. His manuscript, alternatively, provides a valuable insight into the overall conduct of mining operations and the tactical and strategic considerations that rarely feature in other accounts. He was at the centre of staff activity that set about countering the effects of the German Kaiserslacht offensives in March, April and May 1918, and the preparations for a possible German breakthrough to the channel ports. Subsequently, with the allied advances of the Last Hundred Days , he became considerably occupied by the hazards of dealing with delayed action mines and booby traps. Aside from these tactical and strategic considerations, he recounts, by means of numerous humorous anecdotes, the personalities and work of the staff at GHQ, ranging from humble clerks and the misdemeanors of his batman to senior officers. He brings to life the exceptional endeavours of the often maligned senior staff and the individual characteristics of many senior staff officers who are otherwise but shadows in accounts of the Great War. The editors have added extensive notes explaining and, on occasions correcting, Dixon s accounts; these are illustrated with explanatory plans and diagrams along with photographs of many of the personalities he describes. The combination provides a very personal perspective of the conduct of the war at GHQ. 32 b/w illustrations Relatively unusual personal memoir of a tunnelling officer Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781526714411
Buy New
US$ 43.95
US$ 37.00 shipping
Ships from Australia to U.S.A.
Ships from Australia to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available