HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BATTLE OF VERDUN

Discover a poignant place of remembrance in Verdun, where 4,537 French soldiers who fell in the First World War (1914-1918) are laid to rest, with a further 2,000 honored in two ossuaries. In addition, 151 French soldiers who fought in the Second World War (1939-1945) also find their final resting place here.

Early visitors to the Verdun battlefield were often shown a curious site. It is easy to understand that local guides, for the most part veterans of the conflict, were only too tempted to embroider certain aspects of what, for the most part, resembled the surface of the moon. Thus the visitors were regaled by the tale of a group of French soldiers who, standing upright in their trench with fixed bayonets, ready to repel a German attack, were buried alive by the nearby explosions of several shells. As evidence, the tips of the said bayonets could be seen, in the alignment of a filled-in trench, protruding from the tortured soil. Thus was born the legend of the Tranchée des Baïonettes. On 8 November 1920, a stirring eulogy to the men of the 137 th Infantry Regiment who were assumed to lie there, was pronounced on the site, in the presence of none other than the President of the Republic. A rich American was sufficiently impressed to contribute out of his own pocket for the construction of a monument over the supposed trench to protect it and its occupants. The truth, revealed by Army investigators, is far more prosaic. In fact the bodies were found to have been buried laid out horizontally, and the Germans had used the bayonets as temporary grave markers. Nonetheless, the monument still stands today, and deserves visiting for what it actually does represent, namely a monument honouring brave soldiers, and witness to long-standing Franco-American friendship.d

Dedicated to Muslim soldiers who died for France. Its peristyle and dome are reminiscent of traditional mosque architecture.

Dedicated to the Jewish soldiers who died for France, its shape evokes the Wailing Wall, and it is adorned with a bible engraved in Hebrew letters.

A tunnel runs perpendicular to the front and leads to the trenches. It enabled troops and equipment to be moved close to the front line, sheltered from the various projectiles. The movement of men in these trenches was no easy task: continuous or untimely bombardments, sectors under fire from snipers on the lookout, rain and mud, telephone wires on which infantrymen stumbled, night-time conditions that encouraged them to lose their way, were all pitfalls that made movement perilous. It was used to relieve regiments, supply food and ammunition, and transport the materials needed to build and repair trenches and shelters. Liaison officers also used them to carry written orders. In the Douaumont sector, in order to prevent the walls from collapsing, the sides of the trench were reinforced with a concrete structure. The walls of the casing were shored up by reinforced cement U-bolts holding plates of the same material.

The keystone and an integral part of the Verdun defences, Fort Douaumont was taken by surprise just 4 days after the start of the Battle of Verdun. It was occupied for 8 months by the German army who used it as a protective shelter for its men and a major operational base for offensive operations. Despite multiple attempts to recapture the fort, this did not take place until the 24th October 1916. With the aid of multimedia supports, visitors can watch films and see photographs from the period, listen to contemporary commentary and testimony, plus archival documentation about this vitally important fort. Visit barracks, the 155mm turreted gun and the German necropolis, resting place to more than 600 German soldiers.

The village of Fleury-devant-Douaumont, situated on wooded heights, often escaped capture during invasions following the French Revolution of 1789, notably those in 1792, 1814, and 1870. However, with the construction of the Séré de Rivières line of forts along the heights of the Meuse after the 1870-71 war, its fate soon turned tragic. Its central location between the forts of Douaumont, Souville, Vaux, and the work at Froideterre became highly precarious during the great German offensive of 1916. Initially, the construction of the surrounding forts brought a measure of prosperity to the village due to the influx of workers and military personnel. By 1913, the population reached 422 inhabitants, allowing small businesses, inns, and artisans to develop alongside traditional rural agricultural activities. In September 1914, the Battle of the Marne established the front line several kilometers north of Fleury, and its inhabitants once again hoped to avoid a new German invasion. Indeed, in 1915, the village remained completely intact, teeming with combat or logistical troops preparing for the front or resting after their rotation. On February 21, 1916, at the onset of the massive German offensive, French military authorities evacuated the inhabitants to Bras-sur-Meuse and Verdun. On February 24, 1916, the fall of Fort Douaumont to the north and the advance of German troops and their heavy artillery marked the beginning of the bombardment and progressive destruction of the village. However, it was not until the fall of Fort Vaux to the east on June 7, 1916, that the village became fully encircled and found itself on the front line. From that point, German bombardment became incessant to enable their infantry to approach and enter the village for the first time on June 23, 1916. Yet, amidst raging battles, the ruins were retaken by the Poilus the very next day, June 24—though this hold was short-lived. In total, possession of the village alternated 16 times between June 23 and August 18, 1916, when it was finally recaptured by the Moroccan Colonial Infantry Regiment. Among the war events on the commune’s soil, the capture of the Powder Magazine on July 11, 1916, by the Germans stands out. This shelter, beneath 10 meters of rock, witnessed the combat death of Colonel Coquelin de Lisle, commander of the 255th Brigade. In October and November 1916, its ruins served as a base for offensives led by General Mangin, which recaptured Forts Douaumont and Vaux from the enemy, thus restoring relative calm until the end of the war in this village that had been relentlessly battered for six months. Classified as a "Red Zone" and declared "Dead for France" in 1918, it was granted the unique status of a destroyed village in 1919. Unable to rebuild their lives there, the inhabitants erected a shelter-chapel in 1934 on the site of their completely razed church. This chapel symbolically received the statue of Our Lady of Europe on its facade in 1979 to mark, notably, the advancing reality of European unity in peace. Twelve years earlier, on September 17, 1967, the Verdun Memorial had already been inaugurated on the site of the former Fleury train station, initiated and attended by Mr. Maurice Genevoix, the founding president of the National Committee for the Remembrance of Verdun. Due to the presence of the Memorial and numerous remembrance projects since undertaken on its territory, the commune of Fleury-devant-Douaumont has rightfully become the most visited of all destroyed villages. Points of Interest: The Chapel of Our Lady of Europe (Pietà fresco by Monsieur Lantier created in 1934, stained glass windows dedicated to the infantryman by Gruber in 1934) The War Memorial The Verdun Memorial (Museum on the Battle of Verdun) Paths and markers indicating the streets and houses of the destroyed village Discovery Trail of the Powder Magazine (remains of the old guard post and Vine Ravine) 650 m botanical trail between the Memorial and the destroyed village.

The monument is carved in white stone. It features the bust of a soldier holding a dove, the symbol of peace, both struck by the same bullet. On the pedestal is a plaque engraved with an extract from the speech delivered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy on November 11, 2008 at Douaumont. Behind the bust, the walls are decorated with a flight of doves. Two plaques pay tribute to two officers, Henri Herduin and Pierre Millant, shot without trial in 1916, then rehabilitated ten years later. On June 11, 1916, Second Lieutenants Herduin and Millant (347th RI) were shot on the orders of General Boyer (52nd RI). On June 9, believing they had held out as far as they could, they had retreated with the survivors of their company.

Located in the heart of the battlefield, the museum is designed to explain the Battle of Verdun and pass its history on to future generations. The Visitors Trail in the new museum focuses on those who fought in Verdun, whether French or German. 2,000 items and collections, a multitude of photos (many of them never before displayed), eyewitness accounts from French and German soldiers and outstanding audiovisual systems combine to recreate something of the battle experience of men who came from all over the world to fight here.

Discover a historic monument marking the extreme advance and defeat of German troops during the Battle of Verdun. This site commemorates the crucial moments of 1916: the occupation of Fort Douaumont on February 25 and Fort de Vaux on June 7, followed by the German attempt to break through the French defensive curtain and reach Verdun. On July 12, German forces launched an attack on Fort Souville, the last rampart of the fortified line surrounding the town, but were repulsed by a valiant French garrison. Inaugurated on October 1, 1922, this monument pays tribute to the 130th Infantry Division. Created by animal sculptor René Paris (1881-1970), a member of this unit, the monument evokes the heroic resistance to the enemy attacks of June 23, 1916. It symbolizes the defeat of the German troops and honors the courage of the French soldiers. Come and explore this place steeped in history and emotion, a poignant testimony to the bravery and sacrifice of the defenders of Verdun.

INFORMATION: In order to improve the comfort of your visit, Fort Vaux is closed for renovation. In the meantime, the Verdun Memorial and Fort Douaumont will remain open every day. The fort was one of series of fortifications constructed after the Franco-Prussian war by the French military engineer, Raymond Séré de Rivière. It fell after 7 days of intense bombardment on all sides by the German artillery, leaving the besieged garrison without food, supplies and ammunition. Eventually taken by German troops in June 1916, French courage and remarkable resistance were honoured by the German command on the 7th June 1916. Its name is a byword for French heroism during the 1916 battle, evoking the valour of Commandant Raynal and his last carrier pigeon. Sites to visit include the Commander’s post, the medical centre, telecommunications post, a pigeon loft and the Bourges casemate (bunker) holding two 75mm guns.

Contrary to the way the mobilisation plans were drawn up, many soldiers in the reserve rubbed shoulders with their comrades in the regular units. There was one regiment, the 44 th Territorial Infantry Regiment, which welcomed into its ranks the Member of Parliament for the Meuse, a certain André Maginot. Joining up as a volunteer in 1914, he quickly rose to the rank of sergeant, and led patrols into enemy territory. His boldness almost cost him his life, on 8 November 1914, near the Bois des Hayes. Seriously wounded, he was saved with difficulty by his men, but had to undergo medical treatment for many long months. After the Armistice, he once more took up his role of parliamentarian, as Minister for Pensions. Thus he presided over the ceremony on 10 November 1920 within the tunnels of the Underground Citadel of Verdun, when the Unknown Soldier was chosen. Falling ill with typhoid fever, he passed away in 1932, at the very time when he was busy preparing the ground for the new line of fortifications, intended to defend the North-East of the country – and which would be named after him. Three years after his death, President of the Republic Albert Lebrun inaugurated the monument by Gaston Broquet, which is let into the massif de Souville. Against the background of a warrior’s shield, the statuary group represents the scene on 8 November 1914, with two of his brave men carrying the wounded Maginot to safety on a Lebel rifle.

The Faubourg-pavé Necropolis is a World Heritage Site The Faubourg Pavé necropolis is located east of Verdun in the direction of Etain, Metz, Battlefield. The necropolis contains 5516 bodies including 4852 of the First World War. 14 Russian graves, 1 Rumanian, 1 Luxemburgish, 1 Indochinese, 1 Chinese. A large cross stands in the middle of the cemetery around which lie the remains of the 7 unknown soldiers (Carré des 7 Inconnus). These 7 + 1 remains were presented on November 10, 1920 at the Unknown Soldier's Choice Ceremony. Private Thin pointed to a coffin that went to Paris representing the sacrifice of a generation for his country. The remaining 7 remained in Verdun. Entrance avenue Joffre side, 6 Skoda brand guns are exposed.They were taken from the Germans on the eastern front. A monument carved by Leon Cuvelle in homage to the shot and deported of World War II is also visible by this entry, as well as a monument erected in honor of the Airmen.