Counter-mining

Although counter-mining was discussed in the section on “Offensive Tactics”, there are some additional issues important to the defender.

Obviously, before the garrison can begin counter-mining, they have to know both that mining is underway and exactly where the enemy mines and galleries are. The first is relatively easy: Observers on the walls can probably see where the attackers begin to dig. Even if they can’t (if the attackers have roofed the whole area before the wall over with logs, for example), the large volumes of rock and earth being excavated must be disposed of somewhere, and piles of such debris are a dead give-away. The second, however, can be more difficult.

To be successful in counter-mining, the defenders have to know where along the line of the wall the attackers are digging, and how deep their galleries are driven. Otherwise, there’s little chance that the defenders’ tunnels will intersect (or undermine, if the garrison wishes to emulate the Muscovites) the attackers’ diggings.

Excavation can’t be totally silent, and the impact of metal tools on stone can carry quite well underground, depending on conditions. Defenders in the cellars or dungeons of a castle might be able to localize the attackers’ excavation and gauge their progress. Alternatively, the defenders could drive narrow test shafts under the wall, hoping to find the attackers’ galleries that way. The disadvantage of this method is that it will often warn the attackers’ that their mines are in peril. A third option is to dig tunnels and chambers ahead of where the attackers are expected to be, and then wait for them to “run into” the defenders’ excavations. The advantage of this technique is that well-armed and-armored warriors can wait in the defenders’ chamber, ready to wreak havoc on the unarmored and lightly-armed attacking miners.

Magic can be invaluable. In an AD&D game campaign, clairvoyance, clairaudience and other scrying spells and items can tell the defender exactly where enemy excavations are. In the BATTLESYSTEM rules, however, there are no spells that would prove of any use.

Note that all these means of detection work both ways. While the defenders must know where the attackers are digging in order to counteract them, the attackers themselves would be quite interested to know the exact progress of the defenders’ counter-mines in order to avoid them.

Defenders should consider carefully the consequences of counter-mining. While a successful battle in the tunnels can slay numerous enemy troops and prevent the castle walls from being breached, there is a risk. If it turns out to be the attacking miners who are victorious, the counter-mine gives them a passage into the castle interior--unless, of course, the defenders have guarded or blocked off their end of the tunnel.