Author(s): Peter Cooke

New Zealand Miltary

In 1915 the most destructive war ever was consuming Europe. Responding to the call, New Zealand sent a mine-warfare unit to fight the siege for civilisation. “So fierce was this struggle,” Dr Ian McGibbon ONZM says in his Foreword, “that the inexperienced New Zealand tunnellers were initially knocked off balance, but they quickly regain their equilibrium. They proved their mettle in this subterranean conflict (at Arras).. This history, written by an expert on New Zealand’s military engineering, greatly improves our understanding of the Tunnelling Company,… with careful attention to the documentary record. In bringing to light much new material about the company, its members and its achievements, Peter Cooke’s efforts are to be highly commended.”