Daily Express

WWI death tunnels are uncovered

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HISTORIANS have found a huge tunnel system where dozens of First World War soldiers are believed to have been buried alive.

The bunker is in Flanders, Belgium, where the Battle of Messines took place as the British pummelled fortificat­ions on a hill with millions of shells in 1917.

The bunker, which would have housed up to 300 troops, is about 20ft below ground, making it shell-proof.

But it is thought the artillery bombardmen­t caused the timber-lined walls and ceilings around the entrances to collapse, burying men alive.

So far archaeolog­ists have uncovered four different entrances, each leading to a flight of 21 wooden steps down.

The openings are blocked by tonnes of earth but experts believe there are three or four more entrances.

Simon Verdegem, of archaeolog­ists Ruben Willaert, said: “The German troops were left behind.There could be a real time capsule in that tunnel.”

THIS prowling lioness thought she had found the ideal dinner in a buffalo calf... until its mother rushed back to defend the baby.

These images show the 400lb lioness being sent packing by the angry mother, who was then supported by the rest of the herd who raced over to help to defend the calf.

The dramatic scenes were captured on camera by Tony Heald, from Esher, Surrey, at Mana Pools National Park, in Zimbabwe.

In the end, the lioness beat a hasty retreat to the safety of the bush.

Tony said: “It was an intimidati­ng sight, enough to make even a lion retreat.”

 ?? Pictures: TONY HEALD/MEDIADRUMI­MAGES ?? The lioness sets her sights on attacking the calf, above, before mum steps in, left, and makes the lioness flee, followed by the herd, below left. Below, the hungry lioness
Pictures: TONY HEALD/MEDIADRUMI­MAGES The lioness sets her sights on attacking the calf, above, before mum steps in, left, and makes the lioness flee, followed by the herd, below left. Below, the hungry lioness
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