The sheer hell which both the French and the Germans went through at Verdun is difficult to understand. Like so many battles in the First World War there seems to be little strategic value to Verdun. it seems that the Germans t were affraid of losing face within world opinion and so looked for a quick and decisive victory to raise their stautus within the emerging world order. The battle was fought over ten months during which time little was gained by either side. Lines moved forward and then backward according to who was prepared to lose men in the process. The first picture shows some trench remains. Such views are common place in and around the area as the government have preserved the ground as a mass grave.
During the siege of Verdun 9 vilages were completely destroyed. This was what remained of Douville. Today two of the villages have been re-built while the other seven are remembered by a variety of memorials. However, even today each of the nine has a Town Major despite the fact that seven have no population.
Following the Franco/Prussian wars in 1870s the French built a series of fortifications forming the Maginot line to protect the border with Germany. This fort is one of many which can be visited in the area. The forts commanded the high ground and in theory should have stopped the German advance. At the time of the start of the Battle for Verdun these forts were unarmed and manned by a handful of reservist soldiers. Oh la la.....merde. Someone made a blunder.
No comments:
Post a Comment