Beneath the Front Lines

Service Description

Min. 2 persons or payment equivalent. Join a guided tour of the Battle of Messines, a turning point in World War I marked by the dramatic detonation of 19 underground mines beneath German positions. Discover the incredible engineering feat of wartime tunnelling, hear the personal stories of the miners who worked in silence and danger, and learn about the harsh conditions they endured below ground. As the tour unfolds, you’ll visit areas that remain largely untouched by time—powerful reminders of the destruction wrought by war. Stand at the edge of the Spanbroekmolen Crater, the largest in Flanders, and explore the ridgeline where Allied troops launched their coordinated assault. Walk through the village of Messines and step inside its historic church to uncover lesser-known moments from the battle. Discover more about the famous Christmas Truce of 1914. The journey concludes at the Island of Ireland Peace Park, a site of reflection and reconciliation, where the poetry of Irish soldiers offers a deeply moving glimpse into their wartime experiences. Prepare for an exploration of courage, strategy, and the enduring human cost of war.