Lochnagar Crater: A Somber Reminder of the Somme

Lochnagar Crater marks the spot where, at 7:28 am on July 1, 1916, British forces detonated one of the largest mines in history, signaling the start of the Battle of the Somme. The British 179th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers planted the mine beneath the German front lines. The explosion was designed to destroy a German strongpoint and assist the British infantry advance. The mine, named after the British trench 'Lochnagar Street', contained 27 tons of ammonal explosive. The resulting crater is approximately 100 meters (330 feet) wide and 30 meters (98 feet) deep, making it the largest man-made mine crater on the Western Front. The sound of the explosion was reportedly heard in London. Despite the massive explosion, the attack on either flank was defeated by German small-arms and artillery fire. Today, the Lochnagar Crater is preserved as a memorial to all who suffered during the Great War. Visitors can walk around the crater's rim and read information panels detailing the history of the site and personal stories of those involved. A large wooden cross stands near the crater, and remembrance ceremonies are held annually on July 1st and November 11th. The site is privately owned but open to the public free of charge during daylight hours.