Verdun
Bleeding the French to death
The story of this immense struggle is unlike any other.
On the outskirts of this medium sized town, two armies bled themselves to death, and precipitated a second immense struggle on the Somme.
I have visited the area a number of times and am always struck by the fact that whilst there may be statues and fortresses to look at, the memorial to the dead is probably the ground over which they fought.
The Town Memorial
Verdun Town
An important trading and strategic site the town of Verdun sits astride the banks of the River Meuse. In mediaeval times the town was enclosed within a wall part of which can still be seen today at the Porte Chaussée.
The Port Chausée
It was only at the Treaty of Munster in 1648 that Verdun was officially declared French and the master Fortress builder of the time: Vauban, began an ambitious scheme to supplement the town's citadel with a complete series of encircling fortifications.
The Victory Monument
The Victory Monument was inaugurated on 23 June 1929.
There are two Russian field guns at the front of the monument which had been captured by the Germans and then taken from them by the French Army.
The Citadel
On the outskirts of the town lies the Citadel where up to 6 000 soldiers lived and worked throughout the war.
Bread piled high waiting for eating
This makes for a very interesting visit - on self guiding cars - around the underground passageways.
Inside the Citadel
The tour can be made in English. Each room contains a mock up with models and figures showing the way of life during the war for the soldiers. It also includes a mock up of the ceremony on 10 November 1920 when the Unknown Soldier who now lies beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was chosen in front of the Minister Maginot - after whom the famous Maginot Line was named.
This ceremony is shown in the film La vie et rien d'autre (Life and nothing else).
The Opening Battles
The Battlefield Museum
Douaumont Ossuary
The Armistice