Dr. Pascal Sirguey, School of Surveying/Tu Kura Kairûri, University of Otago Photo: supplied
The University of Otago is looking to give the public a 'virtual tour' of The First World War tunnels in Arras in France. The large underground system was secretly dug by the New Zealand Engineers Tunnelling Company. It came complete with electric lights, kitchens tunnels and even a light rail network. At one point the tunnels, which were named after new Zealand towns, were home to nearly 10,000 troops in the lead up to the Battle of Arras. The university was originally funded to survey the tunnels using LIDARRAS Lazer Scanning Equipment - to preserve and document them - they used this alongside 360 degree photos. Once they realised what they had in terms of resource they have now in the planning stages of creating a 'virtual tour' so the public and see the vast network of tunnels for themselves.
