In numerous adversarial advocacy exercises, my opponents had no grasp of the relevant law, and thus couldn't put forward arguments to counter mine.
There is also an element of one-upmanship in these ever-expanding feasts, he said: "Families demand, 'So-and-so had 400 dishes and 20 counters; mine should be bigger and better.' " Mr. Sinha said research and development are key to his competitiveness.
What happened at La Boisselle in 1915-16 is a classic example of mining and counter-mining, with both sides struggling desperately to locate and destroy each other's tunnels.
Of the New Zealanders alone, 41 died and 151 were wounded as a result of German counter-mining.
The local divisional commanders objected, due to their belief that counter-mining had neutralised the British underground threat and in the Warneton line's inadequacy.
Counter-mining actions were undertaken, but on 29 May a significant attack was put in against the 15th Battalion's position and they were briefly forced back before restoring the situation with a strong counterattack.
Sappers dug the tunnels into a layer of "blue clay" 80 120 feet below the surface, then drifted galleries for 5964 yards to points deep underneath Group Wytschaete's front lines, despite German counter-mining.
Arriving on the Western Front in May 1916 they undertook mining and counter-mining operations alongside British, Canadian and New Zealand companies, initially operating around Armentieres and at Fromelles.
Late in the month the Ottomans began tunnelling around "Quinn's Post" in the Anzac sector and early in the morning of 29 May, despite Australian counter-mining, the Ottomans detonated a mine and attacked with a battalion from the 14th Regiment.
Lingen responded with a counter-mine dug out under Parliament's own tunnel.
In the meantime, German sappers (military engineers) were actively conducting their own underground operations, seeking out Allied tunnels to assault and counter-mine.
