A hundred years ago today, British and German troops were fighting over a hill near Ypres, Belgium, known simply as “Hill 60.” It was so named because British topographic maps showed its height–60 meters. The hill was artificial, formed when a nearby rail cutting was dug. A hundred years ago, the Germans held the hill.

The hill was captured by the Germans on December 10, 1914. Almost immediately, the British began digging under the German positions. By April 10, 1915, most digging was finished, with a 100 yard tunnel going under the German positions. About 7900 pounds of high explosives were placed in the tunnels, and on April 17, 1915, at 7:05 PM, three British officers hit the plungers. Debris was flung almost 300 feet into the air and scattered 300 yards in all directions. One British soldier who had the misfortune of looking over the parapets was killed by flying debris. After the battle was over, 150 Germans were killed, along with 7 British soldiers.

References

• The Capture of Hill 60 at FirstWorldWar.com
• New York Times, April 21, 1915
• The Two Heroes of Hill 60
• Wikipedia Battle of Hill 60

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