Reviews - Crumps and Camouflets

Australian Defence Magazine - February '11
General News Section

Produced as part of the Australian Army History collection, Crumps and Camouflets is the first complete history of all three Australian tunnelling companies that operated on the Western Front between 1914-1919. More than 4,500 Australians served in these companies; sadly more than 330 men did not return.

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John Battersby - February '11

Crumps and Camouflets” is the story of Australia's tunnelling and mining warfare on the Western Front. The appointment of Brig. Gen. Robert Harvey RE as Inspector of Mines at the beginning of 1916 led to a rapid expansion of tunnelling activity and a call for volunteers from skilled miners. The response in Australia was immediate, and professional miners, engineers and geologists from the vast and varied coal mines and hard rock gold fields volunteered to form the Australian Mining Corps.

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Colin Woodward (Son of Capt. Oliver Woodward MC (two bars)) - 9 Aug '10
General Comment (email)

As a family we have been immersed in all the things involved with the film "Beneath Hill 60" including the book by Will Davies..... However, I consider your book to be the last word for WW1 tunnelling in general and particularly for Australian tunnellers. I don’t think a tunneller from any country would accuse you of boasting or boas. It made one realise how disgusting WW1 was for the ordinary serviceman. Well done!

David Cameron (Accomplished author of 25 April 1915: The day the Anzac legend was born (A&U 2007) and 'Sorry Lads, But The Order Is To Go' The August Offensive, Gallipoli, 1915 (UNSWP 2009) - 9 Aug '10
General Comment (email)

Dave Cameron (Ph.D.) - I love your book "Crumps and Camouflets" by Damien Finlayson.