Virtual Tour Of WW1 Tunnels

Chris Page, left, and Damien Houvet survey tunnels hewn by NZ soldiers under Arras, France, during World War I. Photo by Ian Alderman

The New Zealand Tunneling Company (also New Zealand Engineers Tunneling Company) was a tunnel warfare unit of the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during World War I which specialised in sapping and mining. Photo by Pascal Sirguey

A map of WWI tunnels, quarries and trenches overlays an image of modern day Arras, France. The blue lines represent Allied trenches, the red lines are the German trenches, and the yellow lines are Allied tunnels and quarries. Image courtesy of the University of Otago

Tunnels were named after New Zealand towns and cities. Image courtesy of the University of Otago

Tunnels were named after New Zealand towns and cities. Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Tunnels were named after New Zealand towns and cities. Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Tunnels were named after New Zealand towns and cities. Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Photo by Pascal Sirguey

Seven of the diggers were graduates or staff from the university's then Otago School of Mines. Photo by Pascal Sirguey

The project has given students at Otago University's School of Surveying an opportunity to use new technology to tangibly connect with the past. Photo by Pascal Sirguey