In July 1916 Y Ravine was about 500 yards long and 40 feet deep and used by the Germans as a main support position.   As such it was heavily fortified and riddled with tunnels leading up to the front line.

The Germans had even gone as far as concreting the floors in the ravine and the tunnels to make them as habitable as possible. It later emerged the concrete used had been English as England had sold it cheaply to try and earn more money for the armed forces.

Y Ravine was not taken until the final stages of the Battle of the Somme on 13 November 1916 when the 51st (Highland) Division captured it.