It is, of course, my conviction that, man for man, we are more than a match for our enemy; and when hand-to-hand fighting occurs, we can always rely on our fellows smashing the Hun. It is inspiring to me to see the confidence with which our new soldiers take their training: at first diffident, and later growing in confidence and assurance as they realize their ability to take care of themselves and punish the enemy. It has been my privilege to lecture to engineer officers and men, and I have felt to a marked degree the enthusiasm and conviction of superiority which is in the soul of every fighting man at our big camps.
What real man could fail to feel the grip of this war? Who would hesitate to show in a practical way the thoughts and ideals for which America stands? For is not every one called upon to do his share for humanity and freedom?
CHAPTER XIV
SOME PRINCIPLES OF MINING
Mining is an effective weapon, but it must be applied to suitable objectives, and its use restricted by certain rules which have been deduced from experience.
As regards the actual processes, the only important changes to be anticipated are the development of the use of rapid tools and of high explosives.
The most vulnerable points in trench-mine warfare are the following: Listening and observation posts in advance of the line; machine-gun and trench-mortar positions; junction-points of communicating-trenches with front line.
Mines were employed to attack, and countermines to defend, many besieged cities in the past, but the application of mining methods in trench warfare has at no time or place reached the scientific development which obtains in the present war, though our own Civil War furnishes several examples of its use in connection with the trench fighting of those days, viz.: Petersburg, Va., and other localities.
The situation of the western front is briefly as follows: Some thousands of mines have been blown by the Germans, British, and French, many of them with very large charges. The British and French were mostly engaged in defensive operations during 1915 and a portion of 1916, but since that date the application of mining methods by the Allies has been mostly on the offensive. Wherever opposing trenches are close together, mining warfare has almost invariably ensued. Mining fluctuates from time to time, and in 1915 and 1916 was most active on this front. It is always a possibility to be reckoned with, although the element of surprise, the most important factor in offensive mining operations, has now been largely discounted. On the other hand, the field of mining activity has been enlarged and is constantly changing. The destruction of enemy strong points is now an important problem for mining engineers. The use of mines in destroying roads and shelters also, in what might be described as the half-open warfare which has been so common this year, and in strategical retreats, is of increasing importance. The necessity of training engineer-pioneer units is important, as in the absence of special mining troops, this work may fall to their lot, particularly in the case of defensive operations in order to protect the infantry.
On account of the large number of men, quantity of material, expense, etc., the use of mining operations is very carefully considered beforehand, and careful plans devised before starting on any underground operations. Attacks are sometimes undertaken only to demolish a portion of the hostile trenches, in view of a local operation. At other times they form a part of a large offensive movement. Generally speaking, speed and silence are the first requisites. If these can be obtained with any degree of certainty, mining operations are nearly always successful. In the underground struggle in this war, the forces with superior personnel, material, and explosives at their disposal are bound to win, this is a fact proven by actual experience. The objectives will be usually such points as cannot be destroyed by artillery-fire, areas organized with deep dugouts and strong points which form valuable objectives, etc.
Almost everywhere on the western front the enemy are intrenched in deep, well-constructed trenches, and in nearly every area these trenches are further fortified by numerous deep dugouts and underground galleries, in most cases close-timbered with four-inch oak and other hard woods. The German mine systems are also almost invariably close-timbered.