| 172nd Tunnelling Company | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | World War I |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Royal Engineer tunnelling company |
| Role | military engineering, tunnel warfare |
| Nickname(s) | "The Moles" |
| Engagements | World War I The Bluff Vimy Ridge |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | William Henry Johnston VC William Clay Hepburn |
The 172nd Tunnelling Company was one of the tunnelling companies of the Royal Engineers created by the British Army during World War I. The tunnelling units were occupied in offensive and defensive mining involving the placing and maintaining of mines under enemy lines, as well as other underground work such as the construction of deep dugouts for troop accommodation, the digging of subways, saps (a narrow trench dug to approach enemy trenches), cable trenches and underground chambers for signals and medical services.[1]
- ^ The Tunnelling Companies RE Archived May 10, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, access date 25 April 2015