St Eloi Craters 1916

St Eloi Craters 1916

From The Old Front Line by Paul Reed

May 9, 2026 · 35 min · Season 9 · Episode 33

About this episode

This episode explores the chaotic Battle of the St Eloi Craters during the First World War, focusing on the use of underground mines and the impact on the battlefield.

Step into one of the most chaotic and little-known battles of the First World War in 1916 with this episode of The Old Front Line, as we explore the Battle of the St Eloi Craters (March–April 1916). Fought in the shattered landscape south of Ypres, this battle saw the devastating use of underground mines transform the battlefield into a nightmarish maze of mud-filled craters. We examine how British tunnelling companies detonated massive charges beneath German lines, and how the newly arrived ...

People in this episode

Host: Paul Reed

Topics covered

  • First World War
  • Battlefield
  • Tunnelling
  • Military History
  • Ypres

Keywords

  • St Eloi Craters
  • First World War
  • tunnelling companies
  • underground mines
  • Ypres

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Ypres

More episodes of The Old Front Line

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Old Front Line podcast page.