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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1fdcc97 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #53408 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53408) diff --git a/old/53408-0.txt b/old/53408-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 19fd0ba..0000000 --- a/old/53408-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3632 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Verdun and the Battle for its Possession, by -Michelin & Cie - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Verdun and the Battle for its Possession - Illustrated Michelin Guides to the Battle-Fields (1914 1918) - -Author: Michelin & Cie - -Release Date: October 30, 2016 [EBook #53408] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VERDUN AND THE BATTLE FOR *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, David Tipple and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - -A small number of obvious typos have been corrected by the addition -of a missing accent. For example, “Prefecture” and “Eglise” have been -changed to “Préfecture” and “Église”, respectively. Except for this, -the spelling and punctuation of the book have not been changed. - -Underscores are used for italic markup; the three words that end this -sentence _are in italics_. - -Equals signs are used for bold-face markup; the three words that end -this sentence =are in bold face=. - -The symbols ^{} are used to represent a superscript; for example "3 -squared" would be printed as "3^{2}". - -The table of contents is at the end of the main text. - -Near the beginning of the chapter entitled “THE WAR OF 1914–18” there -is a reference to - - “=The Battle of the Marne=,” part III., “_The Revigny Pass_”. - -This is another Michelin guide but it is NOT the one that has been -posted to the Gutenberg site. This is another Michelin guide but it is -not the one that has been posted to the Gutenberg site. If you are -interested, see this book on archive.org—Battlefields of the World War, -Vol I. Part III is on pages 215–289. See: -https://archive.org/details/michelinguidetob00mill - - - - - ILLUSTRATED MICHELIN GUIDES TO THE BATTLE-FIELDS (1914–1918) - - - VERDUN - - AND THE BATTLES FOR ITS POSSESSION. - - [Illustration] - - MICHELIN &. C^{IE}—CLERMONT-FERRAND. - MICHELIN TYRE C^O L^{TD}—81, Fulham Road, LONDON, S.W. - MICHELIN TIRE C^O—MILLTOWN, N.J., U.S.A. - - - - - VERDUN - HOTELS AND MOTOR AGENTS. - - _On June 1, 1919._ - - Information extracted from the _Michelin Tourist Guide_ (1919). - - Hostellerie du Coq Hardi, 8 Rue du St. Esprit - (between the Rue Mazel and the Meuse). - - Hôtel du Lion d’Or, Place Saint Paul - (Opposite the Sub-Préfecture). - -The “Comité du Ravitaillement des Réfugies,” whose headquarters are at -the “Collège,” Rue St. Paul (see _Guide_, p. 31 and 33), has installed -a refectory and dormitory in the “Collège.” The “Comité” supplies -tourists with the addresses of private persons who let rooms. - -The resources of the region around Verdun, described in the itineraries -(p. 57 and 88), are absolutely nil. Tourists are therefore advised to -provide themselves with Luncheon Baskets. - - MOTOR AGENTS. - -Grand Garage Central Rochette, 22 rue de la Rivière, Agent for Peugeot. - Inspection pit. Petrol (Gasolene). Telephone No 50. - -The above information may no longer be exact when it meets the reader’s -eye. Tourists are therefore recommended to consult the Michelin Touring -Office. - -Before setting out on a motoring tour, whether in the British Isles or -abroad, call or write to: - -[Illustration] - - THE MICHELIN TOURING OFFICE - 81, Fulham Rd., London, - ——S.W. 3.—— - -[Illustration] - -who will be pleased to furnish all desired information and a carefully -worked-out itinerary of the route to be followed, free of charge. - -[Illustration] - - - - -The MICHELIN MAPS - -Invaluable to Motorists and Tourists. - -FRANCE. - -(_Scale—1:200,000_) - - Published in 47 Sections. - Beautifully printed in - Five Colours. - - The - BRITISH - ISLES. - - (_Scale 3·15 miles to the inch._) - - Published in 31 Sections. Beautifully - engraved and printed in six colours. - - =Price of Maps (English or French) per Section=: - - On Paper — 1/- or post free 1/1-1/ - 2 On Canvas — 2/- ” ” 2/2 - -MICHELIN TYRE CO., 81, Fulham Rd., S.W.3 - - - - - THE BEST & CHEAPEST - DETACHABLE WHEEL - - [Illustration] - - _The Michelin Wheel is practical and strong_ - - [Illustration] - - _The Michelin Wheel is simple and smart_ - - - - - IN MEMORY - OF THE MICHELIN EMPLOYEES - AND WORKMEN WHO DIED GLORIOUSLY FOR - THEIR COUNTRY - - - THE BATTLE OF - VERDUN - (1914–1918) - - - Published by - MICHELIN & Cie - Clermont-Ferrand, France - - - Copyright 1919 by Michelin & Cie - - _All rights of translation, adaptation, or reproduction - (in part or whole) reserved in all countries_ - - - - -[Illustration: VERDUN BURNING IN 1916 DURING BOMBARDMENT WITH -INCENDIARY SHELLS.] - - - - - VERDUN - - - ORIGIN AND POLITICAL HISTORY - -=Verdun=, one of France’s most ancient cities, was first a Gallic, -then under the name of “Virodunum Castrum,” a Roman fortress. In 843 -the celebrated treaty which divided the Carolingian Empire and annexed -Verdun to the Kingdom of Lorraine was signed there. From 870 to 879 -Verdun became part of France, but in 923 it was incorporated in the -German Empire. As a county, it was governed under the feudal system by -the hereditary counts, the last of whom was Godefroy de Bouillon, and -later by the episcopal counts and bishops. - -In the 10th century, Bishop Haimont, of Verdun, persuaded the Count of -Verdun to transfer his rights to him. The arrangement was confirmed by -Emperor Othon III., but the count’s heirs disputed the bishops’ title -to the town. Later, the burgesses revolted against the authority of -the bishops, and after a sanguinary struggle succeeded in throwing -off their yoke about the middle of the 13th century. After a long -occupation by the Germans, Henri II., King of France, retook Verdun -in 1552 and granted it privileges which were confirmed by François II. -in 1559. During the Religious Wars, the town was for the Leaguers, -and only agreed to receive Henry IV.’s envoy, after that prince’s -conversion to the Roman Faith. The burgesses did not take the oath of -allegiance to the King of France until 1601. - - - - CHIEF MILITARY EVENTS - -Both in respect of its geographical position and history, Verdun is a -typical fortified town. From time immemorial it has played an important -part in resisting invasion, as witness its fortified camp and citadel. -Since 1870 it has been the centre of an essential position formed by a -rough hemi-cycle of hills and slopes bristling with defensive works and -batteries. - -Since the year 450, when Attila left it “like a field ravaged by wild -beasts,” it has been besieged at least ten times. - -Charles Quint besieged and took it in 1544, but after a seven years’ -occupation it was retaken by Henry II. of France in 1552. The Huguenots -tried to take it by surprise in 1589, but were unable to overcome the -resistance of the burgesses. - - -=Siege of 1792.=—In 1792, the Prussians attacked and bombarded -the town, defended by Beaurepaire with only thirty-two guns and -forty-four artillerymen. The Council of Defence, urged thereto by the -Anti-Republican section of the population, decided to capitulate, in -spite of opposition on the part of Beaurepaire, who died suddenly soon -afterwards at the Town Hall by his own hand, according to some, others -holding that he was assassinated. The Prussians occupied the town for -six weeks, after the garrison had left. Although it is true that a few -women went to the Camp of Bras with an offering of sweetmeats for the -King of Prussia, it has not been established that the latter gave a -ball at Regret, at which the women of Verdun danced. The victory of -Valmy forced the Prussians to leave Verdun. On October 13th Kellermann -took possession of the Citadel, and on the 14th the troops of the -Republic entered the town. Several of the visitors to the Camp of Bras -expiated their regrettable act on the scaffold. - - -=Siege of 1870.=—In 1870, Verdun offered a more stubborn resistance. -When the Saxon troops, about 10,000 in number, appeared to the east -of the town, the garrison of the latter comprised only 1,500 regular -troops, including fifty artillerymen, 2,000 “mobiles” (newly levied -men) and 1,400 men of the National Sedentary Guard, while its armament -consisted of twenty mortars, two howitzers and ninety-six guns, of -which only forty-six were rifled. Under the command of General Guérin -de Waldersbach, seconded by General Marmier, this small garrison -repulsed an attack on August 24th, and refused to surrender. After -being reinforced by 2,600 men who had escaped from Sedan, several -sallies were made. By September 23rd the enemy had completely encircled -the town, and were forcing the inhabitants of the surrounding villages -to help with the siege-works. On the night of October 19th thirty -sappers, twenty-five artillerymen and 100 foot soldiers surprised the -two German batteries on Heyvaux Hill, between Thierville and Regret, on -the left bank, and after hand-to-hand fighting, spiked all the guns. - -After the fall of Metz, Verdun, besieged by 15,000 men with 140 heavy -guns, in addition to field artillery, surrendered on November 8th with -the honours of war. - -The town had been bombarded three times. On August 24th it received -about 2,000 shells; on September 26th the Citadel received 1,000 to -1,200 shells in five hours; on October 13th, 14th and 15th 20,000 to -25,000 shells fell in the town, severely damaging the upper part and -the Citadel. - -The name of the German Prefect who governed Verdun and the Meuse -province was Von Bethmann Hollweg. - - - - THE WAR OF 1914–1918 - -Abbreviations: Q.G., _General Headquarters_; P.C., _Post of -Commandment_. - -=German= army corps are indicated by Roman figures followed by the -letters “C” for the _active_ and “R.C.” for the _reserve_. - -=French= army corps are indicated by arabic figures followed by the -letters “C.A.” - -=German= infantry divisions are indicated by their number followed by -the letters “D” for the _active_, “R.D.” for the _reserve_, “D.L.” for -the “_Landwehr_,” and “E.D.” for the “_Ersatz_.” - -=French= infantry divisions are indicated by their number followed by -the letters “D.I.” - - -Verdun played an essential part in the great war. - -In 1914, during the battle of the Marne, the army under General -Sarrail, resting on Verdun, formed the pivot for Marshal Joffre’s -manœuvre (_see the Michelin Guide_: “=The Battle of the Marne=,” part -III., “_The Revigny Pass_”). - -[Illustration: VERDUN—PIVOT OF THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE.] - -After the battle of the Marne, the Crown Prince established -his positions of resistance north of the fortress, on the line -Malancourt—Brabant—Haumont—Maucourt. On September 15th, General Sarrail -slipped in from this side the 6th C.A. and 72nd R.D., which were sent -beyond the advance forts. The enemy sought to isolate and approach -Verdun at the same time. The combats which occurred successively on the -initiative of each side were indecisive on the north, but not on the -S.E. - -On September 20th the IIIrd Bavarian Corps attacked the 75th R.D. at -Vigneuilles-les-Hatton châtel, and after forcing it to retreat, reached -the Meuse Heights. The 6th Corps was hastily transferred to this -region, where it checked the German advance. Further to the right, at -St. Mihiel, the enemy succeeded on the 25th in forcing the passage of -the Meuse and occupied Chauvoncourt. - -During October, November and December, the adversaries harassed one -another without intermission. In the vicinity of St. Mihiel the enemy -maintained their positions on the left bank of the river. - -So far from besieging Verdun, as the _Wolff News Agency_ -falsely announced, or entering it, as a postcard circulated -throughout Germany, entitled “_Combats in the streets of -Verdun,_” tried to make believe, the Crown Prince was held in -check on the general line Vauquois—Malancourt—Brabant—Bois des -Caures—Ornes—Fromezey—Hennemont—Combres—Lamorville—Spada—Chauvoncourt. -These positions were but slightly modified up to the time of the big -attack in February, 1916. - -[Illustration: THE VERDUN FRONT, FROM THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE UNTIL THE -GREAT GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN 1916.] - -In February, 1915, the city was bombed by aeroplanes, while the forts -of Douaumont and Vaux were shelled by heavy artillery, including -17-inch guns. The Eparges crest, stubbornly held by the enemy since -September, 1914, was definitely taken on April 6th by the 12th D.I. -after more than a month of the fiercest fighting. This brilliant action -was followed by violent counter-attacks by the Vth German corps, the -combats being particularly furious on April 24th and May 5th, after -which the fighting was less desperate. - -On November 25th–26th the enemy attacked to the N.W. of the city, but -despite the liberal use of poison gas, they failed to reach the French -lines. - -Further attacks by the Germans against Forges on January 12th and at -Caures Wood on February 12th, 1916, were unsuccessful. - -[Illustration: PLAN OF THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE OF FEBRUARY, 1916. - -“_Concentrate an all-powerful artillery, cut with gun-fire the only -main railway connecting Verdun with France, crush the French defences, -isolating their occupants with heavy artillery barrages, then rush the -town with huge masses of men, irrespective of losses, crushing the last -vestiges of resistance,”—such was the “kolossal” plan which the Germans -set out to execute on February 21st, 1916._] - - - - THE BATTLE OF VERDUN - -A battle which was destined to last much longer than the entire -Franco-German war of 1870–1871, and which absorbed the efforts of -Germany throughout the year, began on February 21st, 1916. - -The choice of this battlefield was perhaps less paradoxical than has -been said. For the German High Command to take Verdun was to crush the -French right, capture an important strategical position and secure an -immense moral effect. Moreover, the enemy feared an Allied offensive -and was disturbed by the continued increase of their strength in men -and material. To forestall this offensive was to make it fail and keep -the initiative of the operations. Moreover, the Germans desired to -impress the public opinion of the world, which had begun to doubt their -ultimate victory. Greece and Roumania seemed inclined to abandon their -neutrality, and the time appeared ripe to prove by a crushing blow that -German force had not diminished. Lastly, they were influenced by home -political considerations; the rationing of the population had depressed -the public _morale_ and provoked dissension between the political -parties and the states; the prestige of the Crown Prince, after his -failure in the Argonne, had considerably declined; a great victory was -necessary to strengthen German _morale_, appease dissension and, by -rehabilitating the Crown Prince, enhance the prestige of the Imperial -family. - -[Illustration: GENERALS JOFFRE AND PÉTAIN AT THE G.H.Q. OF THE 2ND -FRENCH ARMY AT SOUILLY, IN FEBRUARY, 1916.] - -The Germans, who had fourteen railways at their disposal, and who, -during a long and careful preparation, had concentrated seven army -corps and extraordinarily powerful artillery, comprising at least -3,000 guns of all calibres, attacked the French, who had a river in -their rear and whose one solitary broad-gauge railway was under enemy -gun-fire. By sacrificing men and material on a lavish scale the enemy -counted on rapidly overcoming all obstacles, level the French trenches, -crush the centres of resistance under a deluge of 17-inch, 15-inch and -12-inch shells, isolate them with barrage fire from 8-inch guns and -poison-gas shells, and occupy the destroyed positions—such were to be -the German tactics. They were so sure, by repeated smashing blows, -of breaking through between Bras and Douaumont, and, by their attack -on Verdun, of forcing the French to withdraw their wings, that they -neglected first to attack the French positions on the left bank and in -the Woevre plain, with the result that their colossal effort broke down -before the tenacious resistance and heroism of the French. - -[Illustration: THE “SACRED WAY,” AND THE NARROW-GAUGE MEUSE RAILWAY. - -_In February, 1916, only one broad-gauge railway connected Verdun, via -St. Menehould, with the rest of France. At the outset of the offensive -it was cut by enemy gun-fire between Parois and Dombasle. There -remained the narrow-gauge Meuse railway and the road. The carrying -capacity of the former was increased to 2,000 tons per day, while the -motor service along the “Sacred Way” was organised to such a pitch that -it was able to ensure the transport of the troops, the evacuation of -the wounded and the revictualling of 250,000 combatants._] - - - - THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE - - _February–August, 1916_ - - - 1.—The Central Attack - -At the beginning of the battle, the first French lines were _on the -left bank_, from Avocourt Wood to Forges, _via_ the slopes in front of -Malancourt and Béthincourt; _on the right bank_, from Brabant-sur-Meuse -to Fromézey, _via_ Haumont, Haumont Wood, Caures Wood, La Ville Wood, -Herbébois, Ornes and Maucourt. On the morning of February 21st and -simultaneously with a bombardment of the entire French front, the enemy -began the systematic shelling of Verdun, whose last residents were -evacuated on the 25th at noon. - -The infantry attacked at 4.45 p.m. from Haumont Wood to Ornes. The 51st -and 72nd divisions sustained the first shock of the IIIrd and XVIIIth -C.A. and the XIIIth division of the VIIth R.C. A heroic combat followed -the most formidable artillery preparation ever known till then. In -Caures Wood the Chasseurs, under _Colonel Driant_, resisted foot by -foot. When night fell, the enemy’s progress was insignificant, compared -with his sacrifices. However, they succeeded in taking Haumont Wood. - -On the 22nd the bombardment was resumed with, if possible, greater -intensity. In Caures Wood _Colonel Driant_ resisted until death -overtook him, having first evacuated his Chasseurs to Beaumont. -Meanwhile, the sectors of Woevre and the left bank of the Meuse were -violently shelled. - -[Illustration: THE CENTRAL ATTACK. - -_This attack (February 21st–26th), on the right bank of the Meuse, -shortened the enemy’s front as progressed. It came to a stop on the -sixth day at Poivre Hill and Douaumont._] - -The fighting on the 23rd was even more furious. Brabant fell into -the hands of the enemy after a fierce resistance by the 351st I.D., -which clung desperately to the ruins of Samogneux until nightfall. -Further east the battle raged fiercely. The French counter-attacked -unsuccessfully at Caures Wood and were attacked at Herbebois. The 51st -I.D. fell back, making the enemy pay dearly for his progress towards -Fosses Wood. - -[Illustration] - -In the evening the front extended along the Samogneux—Beaumont—Ornes -line. Samogneux was captured by the enemy during the night. The -situation was very critical. - -Exasperated at the resistance of the French, and having received -reinforcements, the Germans made a supreme effort on the 24th. Although -harassed by French artillery on the left bank of the Meuse, they -succeeded in taking Hill 344 to the east of Samogneux, Fosses Wood, -Chaume Wood and the village of Ornes. French reinforcements arrived the -same day, and the command of the army of Verdun passed from General de -Castelnau to General Pétain. - -[Illustration: _Starting-point of the German Attack of February 21st, -North of Haumont Wood._] - -On the 25th, the 37th I.D., with orders to defend Talou Hill and -Louvemont village, resisted for a long time against incredibly furious -attacks, but on their right the enemy succeeded in capturing Vauche -Wood and, advancing towards Douaumont, carried the fort by surprise. -However, their efforts to take the village failed before the heroic -tenacity of the 31st Brigade, while the 94th D.I. covered itself with -glory. The enemy advance from this side, had the effect of compelling -the 31st I.D. to abandon Talou Hill. During this time the line in -Woevre was, unknown to the Germans, voluntarily withdrawn to the foot -of the Meuse hills, where the French only retained outposts at Fresnes -and Manheulles. - -Taking over the command on the night of the 25th, General Pétain -at once divided the battle-line into four sectors, officered as -follows: _General Bazelaire_, on the left bank, from Avocourt to the -river; _General Guillaumat_, from the Meuse to Douaumont; _General -Balfourier_, from this point to the Woevre; _General Duchesne_, on the -Meuse Heights. - -There were no trenches, but he ordered that the forts should at least -be connected by a continuous line of entrenchments to be made while the -battle was at its height and which the “poilus,” in their disdain for -the shovel and pick, called the “Panic Line.” The entire 59th division -was told off to organise the counter slopes on the second and third -lines. Thirteen battalions kept in repair the road from Bar-le-Duc to -Verdun, _via_ Souilly (the “=Sacred Way=”), which eventually became the -main artery for revictualling the place in men and munitions, and along -which 1,700 motor lorries passed each way daily. Lastly, General Pétain -managed to imbue all under his command with his energy, activity and -faith, and the enemy’s drive was stopped. - -On the 26th, the 39th D.I., which had relieved the 37th, victoriously -repulsed all attacks on Poivre Hill, while the 31st Brigade continued -to hold Douaumont until relieved in the evening by the 2nd D.I. - -[Illustration: THE RELIEF BY MOTOR-LORRIES. - -_Regiment leaving Nixéville in lorries for the rear._] - -On the following days the fighting continued about and in the streets -of Douaumont, which the enemy finally captured on March 4th. The -Germans now began to show signs of weakening. Their effort on the right -bank had failed. Checked at Douaumont, they were taken in the rear by -the French positions on the left bank, and were obliged to modify their -plans. From that time they operated simultaneously or successively on -both banks. - -[Illustration: _Mort-Homme and Hill 287 in May, 1916._] - - - 2.—The General Attack - - (_See map, pp. 14 and 15_) - -On March 6th two German divisions attacked from Béthincourt to Forges, -where the French front was held by the 67th D.I., and succeeded in -taking Forges and Regnéville, but were checked by the positions on Oie -Hill. Continuing their advance on the 7th, they succeeded in capturing -these positions, as well as Corbeaux Wood. The village of Cumières -was the scene of terrible fighting, but remained in the hands of the -French, while further to the west the enemy’s attacks broke down at -Mort-Homme. - -On March 8th, while on the left bank, French troops retook Corbeaux -Wood, the Germans brought into line units of five army corps and began -a general attack, which failed with very heavy losses, their only gain -being the capture of part of Vaux village. - -On the 9th they succeeded in getting a footing on the slopes of -Mort-Homme, but at the other end of the battle-line their attack on -Vaux Fort failed. Their radiograms announcing the capture of the fort -were untrue. - -On the 10th, Corbeaux Wood was taken by the Germans and the French -withdrew to the line Béthincourt, Mort-Homme, south of Corbeaux and -Cumières Wood and Cumières village. The battle continued in the village -and in front of Vaux Fort, strongly held by the French. The enemy -temporarily ceased his massed attacks. In reality their offensive had -failed, while their losses in men and munitions had been exceptionally -heavy. On March 10th Joffre was able to say to the soldiers of Verdun: -“_For three weeks you have withstood the most formidable attack which -the enemy has yet made. Germany counted on the success of this effort, -which she believed would prove irresistible, and for which she used -her best troops and most powerful artillery. She hoped by the capture -of Verdun to strengthen the courage of her Allies and convince neutrals -of German superiority. But she reckoned without you! The eyes of the -country are on you. You belong to those of whom it will be said: ‘They -barred the road to Verdun.’_” - -[Illustration: THE GERMAN GENERAL ATTACK ON BOTH BANKS OF THE MEUSE. - -_The Central Attack which was to capture Verdun and force back the -French wings failed. The Germans, caught on the flank by French -artillery posted on the left bank of the Meuse, attacked alternately -on both sides of the river. The struggle continued desperately at -Mort-Homme, Hill 304, Cumières, Fleury, and as far as the approaches of -Souville Fort—extreme limit of the German Advance in June, 1916._] - -[Illustration: GENERAL PÉTAIN’S ORDER OF THE DAY (_see translation -below_).] - -From March 11th to April 9th the aspect of the battle changed. Wide -front attacks gave place to local actions, short, violent and limited -in scope. On March 14th the Germans captured Hill 265, forming the -western portion of the Mort-Homme position, from the 75th French -Brigade, whose commander Colonel Garçon, fell, rifle in hand, but they -failed to take the eastern part, Hill 295. On the 20th, Avocourt and -Malancourt Woods fell to the Bavarians, and after a fierce struggle the -village of Malancourt was lost on March 31st, Haucourt on April 5th, -and Béthincourt on April 8th. - -On the right bank, after powerful attacks near Vaux, the enemy reached -Caillette Wood and the Vaux-Fleury railway, only to be driven back by -the 5th division (Mangin). - -A furious attack was made along both banks by the Germans at noon on -April 9th; _on the left bank_, five divisions were engaged, failing -everywhere except at the Mort-Homme, where, despite the heroic -resistance of the 42nd division (Deville), they gained a footing on the -N.E. slopes; _on the right bank_, Poivre Hill was attacked but remained -in French hands. - -“_April 9th was a glorious day for our armies_,” General Pétain -declared in his order of the day dated the 10th, “_the furious -attacks of the soldiers of the Crown Prince broke down everywhere. The -infantry, artillery, sappers and aviators of the 2nd Army vied with -one another in valour. Honour to all. No doubt the Germans will attack -again. Let all work and watch, that yesterday’s success be continued. -Courage! We shall beat them!_” - -[Illustration: _General Nivelle, taking over the Command of Verdun Army -in May, 1916._] - -On the 10th the enemy continued his efforts with small success. - -[Illustration: _Entrance to Douaumont Fort._] - -From that date operations were limited to local actions, either in -reply to French counter-offensives (attacks of April 11th between -Douaumont and Vaux and between the Meuse and Douaumont on the 17th), or -in endeavours to take key positions where the French offered vigorous -resistance. At the beginning of May General Pétain, having received the -command of the central group of armies, General Nivelle took over that -of the army of Verdun. - -From May 4th to 24th the Germans attacked furiously around Mort-Homme. -On the 4th they captured the northern slopes of Hill 304, where -desperate combats took place on the 5th and 6th. By a powerful attack -on the 7th they forced the French to abandon the crest of Hill 304, -which, however, they were unable to occupy on account of the violence -of the bombardment. Cumières and Caurettes fell on the 24th. - -In the meantime, the battle had started afresh on the Douaumont—Vaux -front. On May 22nd, at 11.50 a.m., the French 5th D.I. attacked and -recaptured the fort of Douaumont, the casemates of which were the scene -of desperate hand-to-hand fighting. The French were driven out on the -24th, but maintained their positions in the immediate vicinity. - -The battle continued without respite or quarter. Not an hour passed -without a surprise of some sort being attempted. The Germans were -determined to advance, but at every step they were checked by the -unflinching will of the French not to let them pass. - -From May 29th to 31st the enemy attacked Hill 304 and at Mort-Homme. -June 1st was marked by the loss of the Hardaumont salient and Thiaumont -Farm. On the 2nd the enemy progressed in Fumin Wood, but lost Thiaumont -Farm. On the 3rd they gained a footing in Vaux Fort, which was entirely -in their possession on the 8th. On the 9th they attacked Hill 304 and -Damloup Battery and retook Thiaumont Farm. On the 12th they advanced -along La Dame Ravine, but lost the N.E. slopes of Mort-Homme on the -15th. - -[Illustration: _Aspect of the Battlefield in July, 1916._] - -On the 23rd, after an uninterrupted bombardment, begun the day before, -the Germans launched their greatest attack. Seventeen regiments were -hurled simultaneously against the Thiaumont—Fleury—Souville front, -resulting in the capture of the Thiaumont redoubt and the gaining of -a footing in the village of Fleury, but failing to take the fort of -Souville. Froide-Terre Hill, momentarily invaded, was cleared of the -enemy by a grenade and bayonet attack. - -On the following days, the fighting centred around the Thiaumont -redoubt, which changed hands many times, remaining finally with the -enemy on June 30th. - -Combats, frequent and furious, continued on both banks until the middle -of August. - - - - FRENCH COUNTER-OFFENSIVES—CLEARING VERDUN - - _October–December, 1916–August, 1917_ - - - The French Offensive of October 24th, 1916, on the Right Bank - of the Meuse - -From August, 1916, the Germans, in consequence of the Franco-British -offensive in the Somme, gradually abandoned Verdun, in which venture -she had sacrificed the pick of her troops. The army of Verdun took -advantage of this to regain the initiative of the operations. - -[Illustration: _General Mangin in front of his Post of Commandment._] - -Under the command of General Mangin the French attacked from Thiaumont -to Laufée Wood on October 24th, 1916, the artillery preparation by -650 guns, including the new 15-inch and 16-inch mortars, beginning on -October 20th. On the 22nd a feint attack enabled French aeroplanes to -locate 158 enemy batteries, which were heavily shelled the next day. - -That the Germans did not realise the position was evident from the -Crown Prince’s announcement that he had broken a strong French attack. -The real attack took place on the morning of the 24th (_see map, -p. 20_). - -The German front was held on the first line by seven divisions. The -French attacked with three divisions: the 38th (Guyot de Salins), -supported on the left by the 11th line regiment; the 133rd (Passaga), -known as “La Gauloise”; the 74th (de Lardemelle). - -[Illustration] - -The attack was a brilliant success and gave the French the Haudromont -quarries, Thiaumont redoubt and farm, Douaumont fort and village, -the northern edge of Caillette Wood, Vaux pond, the eastern edge of -Fumin Wood and Damloup battery. On the 24th and 25th more than 6,000 -prisoners, fifteen guns, and considerable quantities of material, -were captured. On November 2nd, when the French re-entered Vaux Fort, -abandoned by the enemy, they practically reoccupied their positions of -February 24th. - -[Illustration: _The Approaches of Tavannes Fort._] - -[Illustration] - - - The French Offensive of December 15th, 1916, on the Right Bank - of the Meuse - -To completely clear Verdun to the east of the Meuse and give greater -freedom to the reconquered forts of Vaux and Douaumont, General -Mangin organised a new attack. A great amount of preparatory work -was done by the army of Verdun, including about eighteen miles of -road (whereof one of logs laid transversely for the artillery), more -than six miles of narrow-gauge railway, and a network of trenches and -depots for munitions and material. As soon as these very considerable -preparations, often carried out under heavy enemy shell-fire, were -finished, the attacking troops took up their positions: the 126th D.I. -(Muteau), 38th D.I. (Guyot de Salins), 37th D.I. (Garnier-Duplessis) -and 133rd D.I. (Passaga), with the 123rd, 128th, 21st and 6th D.I. as -reserves. Two lines of artillery prepared and sustained the attack: one -from Vacherauville to Thiaumont, Fleury and Souville, the other passing -through Belleville, St. Michel Hill and Tavannes Fort. The six-mile -German front from Vacherauville to Bezonvaux was held by five divisions -in the first line, with four divisions in reserve. - -On December 15th, while Germany was proposing that France should ask -for peace, the reply came in the form of attacking waves protected by -a moving curtain of artillery fire. - -Several of the objectives, including Vacherauville, Poivre Hill, Hill -342 and the first and second lines before Louvemont, were reached in -a few minutes at a single bound. Albain and Chauffour Woods, those in -front of Douaumont and Helly Ravine, took longer to capture. To the -east La Vauche Wood was carried at the point of the bayonet, Caurières -Wood passed, and the edges of Chaume Wood reached. The farm of Les -Chambrettes and village of Bezonvaux were taken on the following days. -The success was considerable, more than 11,000 prisoners, including 300 -officers, 115 guns, several hundred machine-guns and important depots -of munitions and material, being captured. The enemy who, in July, had -been within a few hundred yards of Souville Fort, was now more than -three miles away. In June, the _Frankfort Gazette_, celebrating the -German successes at Verdun, declared: “We have clinched our victory and -none can take it from us,” but on December 18th they had lost all the -ground it had taken five months and enormous sacrifices to conquer. - -[Illustration: _Hill 304 recaptured. (Photographed August 24th, 1917. -See p. 24)_] - -In congratulating the troops General Mangin reminded them that Germany -had just invited France to sue for peace, adding that they had been -“the true ambassadors of the Republic.” - -[Illustration: _Fontaines Ravine, West of Bezonvaux._] - - - The French Offensive of August 20th, 1917 - -The Army of Verdun, under General Guillaumat, completed the clearing of -the city on both banks of the Meuse. - -[Illustration: GENERAL GUILLAUMAT] - -[Illustration] - -On August 20th, 1917, eight divisions attacked from Avocourt Wood on -the west to Bezonvaux on the east, along a fifteen-mile front. Avocourt -Wood, Mort-Homme, Corbeaux Wood and Oie Hill on the left bank; Talou -Hill, the villages of Champ, Neuville and Champneuville, Hill 344, -parts of Fosses Wood, Chaume Wood and Mormont Farm, on the right bank, -were captured by the French, who, the next day, also took Samogneux -and Regnéville. Hill 304, which had thus far resisted, was likewise -captured. On the 26th a further attack from Mormont Redoubt to Chaume -Wood brought the French to the southern outskirts of Beaumont. From the -20th to the 26th August the captures include 9,500 prisoners, thirty -guns, 100 trench mortars and 242 machine-guns. - -[Illustration] - - - The American Offensive of September 26th, 1918 - - (_See Panorama, pp. 106 and 107_) - -The clearing of Verdun was entirely and definitely effected in the -autumn of 1918. - -While the 4th French Army, under General Gouraud, attacked between the -Moronvillers Hills and Argonne on September 26th, the American Army, -under General Pershing, took the offensive between the Argonne and the -Meuse. - -Artillery preparation commenced at 2.30 a.m. and lasted three hours. -At 5.30 a.m. the Americans attacked with great dash the redoubtable -enemy positions on the left bank of the Meuse, capturing Malancourt, -Béthincourt and Forges. Keeping up with the infantry, the artillery -crossed the Forges stream during the morning. The woods, very strongly -defended, were cleared of the enemy, and by noon the Americans had -reached Gercourt, Cuisy, the southern part of Montfaucon and Cheppy. - -In the afternoon a desperate battle was engaged on the positions -covering the redoubtable ridge of Montfaucon, the most important -enemy observation-post in the region of Verdun. The Americans wisely -turned the ridge on the right, advancing as far as Septsarges. By -evening Montfaucon was surrounded. The advance, now slower, continued -on the 27th and 28th, despite German counter-attacks. To the west of -Montfaucon, Ivoiry and Epinouville were captured, and thus the ridge -fell. The Americans took 8,000 prisoners and 100 guns. - -[Illustration] - - - The Franco-American Offensive of October, 1918 - -On the right bank of the Meuse, a French army corps and American -troops, under General Pershing, joined in the struggle, capturing -Brabant, Haumont, Haumont Wood and Caures Wood, while the famous line -from which, in February, 1916, the Crown Prince’s army had attacked -Verdun, was soon reached and passed. By the end of October more than -20,000 prisoners, 150 guns, nearly 1,000 trench-mortars and several -thousand machine-guns, had been captured, while unconquered Verdun was -definitely lost to the Germans. Their retreat was now destined to -continue uninterruptedly until the Armistice. - -[Illustration: _Renault Tanks and American Troops on the old French -Lines at Regnéville._] - -[Illustration: _The German Advance and the ground reconquered -(Sectioned zones) by the French and American armies_] - - - - CONCLUSION - -The Battle of Verdun was not merely one of the hardest of the War’s -many battles, it was also one of the most serious checks received by -the Germans. The enemy High Command had foreseen neither its amplitude -nor its long duration. Whereas, “according to plan,” Verdun—“Heart of -France”—was speedily to be overpowered by a carefully prepared mass -attack, the Germans found themselves involved in a formidable struggle, -without being able either to obtain a decisive advantage or keep the -relatively small advantages obtained at the beginning of the battle. - -The battle did not develop “according to plan,” its successive phases -being determined by circumstances. - -The huge numbers of troops which the Germans were compelled to engage -brings out very clearly the immensity of their effort and the different -phases of the struggle. - - * * * * * - -The first and shortest phase (February 21st–March 1st) was that of the -=surprise attack= by a large concentration of specially trained troops. - -To the six German divisions which had been holding the Verdun sector -since the Battle of the Marne, were added nine full divisions, rested -and trained for attack. - -Of these fifteen divisions ten took part in the surprise attack, their -losses being immediately made good by reserves stationed in the rear of -each army corps. At the end of February, in consequence of the French -withdrawal in Woevre, two further divisions strengthened enemy action -in that region. - - * * * * * - -The second phase (March 2nd–April 15th) marked the =general attack= -on both banks of the Meuse, in place of the surprise attack which had -failed. - -During this period nine and a half fresh German divisions were engaged, -of which four came from the Eastern front. - -At the same time two and a half German divisions were withdrawn and -rested in quiet sectors, while four others were sent to the rear to -reform, two of them being, however, again engaged after twenty days’ -rest. - - * * * * * - -The third phase (April 15th–July 1st) was that of =attrition=. After -the failure of their general attack and to avoid avowal of their -defeat, the Germans persisted in their attacks on Verdun. - -Twelve fresh divisions were engaged, in addition to three others which -had been sent to the rear to reform. On the other hand, fourteen -divisions were withdrawn and sent to the rear, to Russia, or other -sectors on the French front. - - * * * * * - -The fourth phase (July 1st, 1916, to 1917) was that of the =retreat -and stabilisation=. The Germans were exhausted and compelled to use -their reserves for the Russian front and especially in the Somme. -Their activities on the Verdun front were limited to making good their -losses. However, they were finally obliged to weaken this front to a -point that they were unable to reply to the French attacks. - -From August 21st to October 1st, the Germans brought up only one -division and withdrew four. From October 1st to 24th, three divisions -relieved nearly five. After October 24th the strength of the enemy -forces varied only slightly, the French offensives preventing any -further weakening of the front. The attrition caused by the French -attacks of October 24th and December 15th gave rise only to rapid -replacements of about equal importance. - -In brief, from February 21st, 1916, to February 1st, 1917, the Germans -engaged fifty-six and a half divisions (or 567 battalions), of which -six divisions appeared successively on both banks of the Meuse, eight -others being also engaged twice and six three times. In reality, in -the course of eleven months, eighty-two and a half German divisions -took part in the attacks on Verdun, which they had expected to crush -in a few days with ten to twelve divisions. The contrast between this -formidable effort and the meagre results obtained is striking, and is -a splendid testimony to the courage and tenacity of the defenders. The -Battle of Verdun in 1916 was not merely a severe local setback for -the Germans; by using up their best troops it had also very important -strategical consequences. Their successes were few, temporary, and -dearly bought. Advancing painfully, each step forward was marked by a -mountain of corpses. Up to the end of the War, even after the Battles -of the Somme and Aisne in 1910 and 1917, and after the Battle of -Champagne in 1918, Verdun remained a hideous spectre for the German -people, while their soldiers surnamed it “=The Slaughter-House of -Germany=.” - -[Illustration: _Douaumont Fort and its Approaches._ - -(_Photographed from aeroplane in May, 1916._)] - -As the French President, M. Poincaré, declared, on handing to the -Mayor of Verdun the decorations conferred on that city by the Allied -nations, it was before the walls of Verdun that “the supreme hope of -Imperial Germany was crushed.” It was at Verdun that Germany sought the -“kolossal” victory which was to enslave the world, and it was there -that France quietly but firmly replied “No road.” For centuries to come -the name of Verdun will continue to ring in the ears of humanity like a -shout of victory and a cry of deliverance. - -[Illustration] - - - Verdun Decorated - -It was in a casemate of the Citadel, transformed into a _salle de -fêtes_, that, on September 13th, 1916, Président Poincaré handed the -undermentioned decorations, conferred on the city by the Chiefs of -State of the Allied countries, to the Municipal Authorities of Verdun: -St. George’s Cross of Russia (white enamel); the British Military Cross -(silver); the medal for military valour of Italy (gold); the Cross -of Leopold I. of Belgium (gold); the medal “Ohilitch” of Montenegro -(gold); the “Croix de la Légion d’Honneur” and the “Croix de Guerre” -of France. Since then the French Government has conferred a Sword of -Honour on the city. Generals Joffre, Pétain and Nivelle, the Military -Governor (General Dubois), the French War Minister and representatives -of the Allied Nations were present at this moving ceremony, which -consecrated the heroic resistance of the army of Verdun and the German -defeat. - -[Illustration: VERDUN - -POPULATION: 21,701. ALTITUDE: 648ft. - -SCALE. - -0 100 500 - -P.O. Telegraph. Telephone. - -A: LA PRINCERIE.] - - - - - A VISIT TO THE CITY OF VERDUN - -[Illustration: _Motorists coming either from St. Menehould, -or Bar-le-Duc, via the_ “=Sacred Way=,” _enter Verdun by the -Porte-de-France, which has been chosen as the starting-point of -the following descriptive itinerary for visiting the town. Follow -the_ =streets shown on the outline map=, _in the direction of the_ -=arrows=, _consulting at the same time the_ =text= _and_ =photographs= -_on pp. 32–56_. - -_See also the_ =two-coloured plan= _opposite_.] - - - VISIT TO THE CITY - -From the =Porte-de-France=, whose entrance arcade on the bridge dates -from Louis XIV., _take the Rue St. Maur, leading to the Place du -Gouvernement_. - -[Illustration: THE PLACE D’ARMES] - -This square owes its name to the building called “Le Gouvernement,” or -“Ancien Logis du Roi.” Residence of the War Minister, M. Louvois, in -1687, and to-day a barracks for the gendarmes. It was damaged by the -bombardment. - -_From the Place du Gouvernement go_ via _the Rue Chevert to the Place -d’Armes_. - -The =Place d’Armes=, badly damaged by bombardment, occupies the site of -a tower (Tour le Princier) of the old rampart. - -Go down the Rue St. Pierre. - -[Illustration: RUE ST. PIERRE IN 1916. - -_In background_ RUE CHAUSSÉE. _On the right_: RUE MAZEL.] - -_Turning to the left into the Rue St. Paul, the tourist passes in front -of_ =the College=. - -[Illustration: FAÇADE OF COLLEGE CHURCH, RUE ST. PAUL, MAY, 1919.] - -The present building was erected in 1890 on the site of the old -college, founded in 1570 by Bishop Nicolas Psaume in the grounds of the -ancient Hôpital de St. Nicolas-de-Gravière. Its church, a fine Ionic -structure, was built in 1730 by the Jesuits. The college was one of the -first buildings to be damaged by the bombardment, being struck in 1915, -prior to the great German offensive against Verdun. - -[Illustration: INTERIOR OF COLLEGE CHURCH. - -_Photographed in May, 1919._] - -_Continue along Rue St. Paul as far as the_ =Palais de Justice= _and -the_ =Sub-Préfecture= (_photo, p. 34_). - -These two buildings are the remains of the second Abbey of the -Premonstrants of St. Paul, built inside the town after 1552. The first, -situated without the walls, was destroyed by order of the Military -Authorities, who feared a siege by Charles Quint. - -In the SOUS-PRÉFECTURE vestiges of the ancient monastery are more -numerous and apparent. The _Salle des Archives_, with its slender -columns and great Renaissance bays, was the monks’ refectory. The -_Cabinet du Sous-Préfet_, with its austere vaulting, has retained its -archaic appearance. In the _Loge du Concierge_ (caretaker’s lodge) -there still exists one of the original mantelpieces, with carving -representing Abraham sacrificing Isaac. The marble-paved _vestibule_ -and fine _staircase_ are also 16th century. - -The interior arrangement of the Palais de Justice buildings, whose -façade is ornamented with a finely carved semicircular _pediment_, has -been changed. Of the old convent there now only remains the Salle des -Pas-Perdus, formerly the cloister. - -The =Hôtel de la Cloche d’Or=, near by, has been installed in the -ancient “Procure” of the same monastery (St. Paul’s). - -[Illustration: THE PALAIS DE JUSTICE] - -The books and woodwork of the monastery have been removed to the -Municipal Library. - -_Return by the Rue St. Paul to the Rue Chaussée, into which turn to the -left; at the end is the_ =Chaussée Gate= (_hist. mon._), built about -1380 (_see pp. 35 and 58_). - -Its architecture recalls that of the Bastille. Half of the left tower -on the river was rebuilt in 1690, exactly on the same lines and with -the stones of the old tower; the semicircular arcade and the pediment -facing the bridge are of the same date. - -The pediment between the two towers was struck by shell splinters, -otherwise the bombardments did not damage the gate. - -[Illustration: THE BANKS OF THE MEUSE AND THE CATHEDRAL BEFORE THE WAR. - -(_Compare with photos on pp. 35 and 37._)] - -[Illustration: THE CHAUSSÉE GATE (before the War)] - -_Cross the Chaussée Bridge over the Meuse, then take on the right -the Boulevard de la République, which passes in front of the Cercle -Militaire (Military Club)._ - -[Illustration: THE BANKS OF THE MEUSE, THE CATHEDRAL AND ST. CROIX -BRIDGE. - -_Photographed from the Military Club in May, 1919._] - -_Take on the left, the Rue du Puty and the Rue des Tanneries, then -the Minimes Bridge (also on the left), at the end of which is_ =St. -Saviour’s Church=. - -[Illustration: ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH.] - -The church is modern, having replaced the old Église des Minimes in -1830. It contains, however, some interesting stained-glass windows, -while at the entrance is the tomb of the founder of the old church, -Bishop Bousnard, deceased in 1584. - -[Illustration: THE INTERIOR OF ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH.] - -_Return by the Rue des Tanneries to the Rue du Puty, turn to the left, -reaching the_ =Place Chevert= _on the right bank of the Meuse (see -photo, p. 37)_. - -There is a fine view of the upper town, bishop’s palace and cathedral -from this square. The latter was begun in 1552, after the Church of -St. Croix had been pulled down. A statue of _General Chevert_, by the -sculptor of the pediment of the Madeleine in Paris (Lemaire), has been -erected on the site of this church. In December, 1916, this statue was -removed to the underground vaults of the Citadelle. - -[Illustration: CHEVERT SQUARE AND STATUE OF GENERAL CHEVERT. - -(_Born at Verdun in 1695, General Chevert captured Prague in 1741. -After a heroic defence, he capitulated in 1743, with the honours of -War._)] - -[Illustration: THE MEUSE (SEEN FROM CHEVERT SQUARE, 1916).] - -_On the other side of Chevert Square is the Rue de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, -which ends on the right at St. Croix Bridge. Follow it on the left as -far as the_ =Hôtel-de-Ville= (_see Itinerary, p. 31_). - -[Illustration: FAÇADE OF THE HÔTEL-DE-VILLE OVERLOOKING THE GARDENS. -(May 1919)] - - - Hôtel-de-Ville - -As one of the lofty windows bears the date 1623, the popular belief -that the building was erected by the famous Governor Marillac is -unfounded. It is possible, however, that tradition, according to which -Marillac sheltered Marie de Médicis there, after her flight from Paris, -is founded on fact. - -It is a fine structure in the Medicis style. The façade which overlooks -the garden resembles that of the Luxembourg in Paris in some of its -lines. - -_At the side of the Hôtel-de-Ville, at No. 19, is the house of M. -Clément._ - -[Illustration: MAIN ENTRANCE (REBUILT) TO THE ABBEY OF ST. VANNE, IN -THE COURT OF NO. 19 RUE DE L’HÔTEL-DE-VILLE] - -A learned amateur, Monsieur Clément, who was killed during the -bombardments of 1916, had collected a considerable number of fragments -of the Abbey of St. Vanne and rebuilt the principal doorway of the -latter (_see p. 52_) in the courtyard of his house. The famous door -of the Capitulary Room, described and drawn by Viollet-le-Duc, was of -curious 13th-century design. The lintel of the tympanum was ornamented -with foliage, which is an interesting peculiarity, as the sculptural -decoration of the tympanums of doors was very rare at that time in -civil architecture. - -[Illustration: RUINS IN THE RUE MAZEL AND RUE DU ST. ESPRIT.] - -_Return to the Place Chevert, cross the St. Croix Bridge, and go to -the Place d’Armes_ via _the Place and Rue Mazel_, whose houses are in -ruins. - -[Illustration: THE PRINCERIE IN 1916, RUE DE LA BELLE-VIERGE, NOS. 16 -AND 18 (_see p.40_).] - -Turn to the left into the Rue St. Pierre. In the Place d’Armes take the -Rue de la Belle-Vierge as far as the =Hôtel de la Princerie=, former -residence of the “primicerius,” first archdeacon of the Cathedral. - -Rebuilt in 1525, it has been divided in recent times into two houses, -Nos. 16 and 18. While the façade of No. 18 was modern, that of No. 16, -with its window-gratings, retained its ancient aspect. The courtyard -was ornamented on two of its sides with two-storied Renaissance -galleries (_hist. mon._). Although of 16th-century construction, -the decoration of this cloister was inspired by the Middle Age or -Transition Period (_note the crocketted capitals of the pillars and the -bases of the latter_). - -[Illustration: THE PRINCERIE CLOISTER (_hist. mon._) BEFORE THE WAR.] - -The house was destroyed by the bombardments, and the cloister is almost -entirely in ruins. - -[Illustration: THE PRINCERIE CLOISTER IN 1916.] - -The street took its name from a statue of the Virgin on the monumental -entrance-gate of the deanery. - -[Illustration: AN OBSERVATION-POST IN MAGDELEINE SQUARE (1916).] - -_Take the Rue de la Magdeleine on the left, beyond the deanery, as far -as the_ =Place de la Magdeleine=. - -At No. 2 of this square is an early 16th-century house (sometimes -called the “Maison de Jules II.”), with a carved triangular pediment -supported by two pillars. Built after the decease of Pope Julius II., -it was probably erected on the site of the house where he lived while -still Cardinal Julian de la Rovère. - -_At No. 19 of the square, cross the house in ruins to a kind of -garden-terrace at the back_, built on the site of the old ramparts, -vestiges of which are still visible. Fine view of the ruins in the Rues -Mazel, Châtel and St. Esprit. - -_Take the Rues Châtel and Belle-Vierge to the_ =Cathedral= (_see -Itinerary, p. 31_). - -[Illustration: RUINS IN THE RUE CHÂTEL, SEEN FROM THE CATHEDRAL (1916).] - - - THE CATHEDRAL (_hist. mon._) - -The Cathedral of Verdun, like that of Angers, was one of the first -French churches to be dedicated to the Virgin. In the 7th or 8th -centuries its patronal festival was The Nativity, but this was changed -to The Assumption at the beginning of the 19th century. - -It is an ancient edifice, but has often been restored and altered. The -original 5th-century church, which it replaced, was built on the ruins -of a Roman _castrum_, like those of Rheims, Metz and Trèves. - -The Cathedral was consecrated in 1147 by Pope Eugenius III., assisted -by eighteen cardinals and St. Bernard. The plans were made by the -Rhenish architect Garin, and, contrarily to French practice, included -two transepts and two apses. With its four similar spires, two on each -choir, it looked, according to a popular saying, like a “bahut” (chest -of drawers on legs), turned upside down. - -The fire of 1755 caused important alterations to be made which, without -suppressing the main lines of the Cathedral, disfigured the interior. -These alterations explain the lack of harmony in the edifice. - -The four Roman towers with spires disappeared after 1755. Only the two -western towers were replaced by the present large ones. - -The Cathedral did not greatly suffer from the bombardment of 1916, -during the German offensive, but that of April–May, 1917, damaged it -very seriously. The vaults were either pierced or brought down, and -the roof destroyed. Near the apsis a big shell tore open the ground, -bringing to light an unknown subterranean passage or crypt. - -[Illustration: VERDUN SEEN FROM ONE OF THE CATHEDRAL TOWERS. - -In the foreground: Roof of nave, east transept, and great choir of -Cathedral. - -In the middle-ground: The Meuse; on the left, Chaussée Gate; in the -middle, Military Club. - -In the background: Line of trees marking the ramparts; behind, -Belleville Village (on the left) and the Pavé Faubourg. - -On the horizon: Belleville Hills.] - -_The tourist, arriving at the Place de la Cathédrale_, via _the Rue de -la Belle-Vierge (see Itinerary, p. 31), finds himself in front of the -North Façade (photo opposite)_. - -[Illustration: THE CATHEDRAL. - -In the middle: The towers around the old choir. - -On the left: The North Front and Main Doorway. - -On the right: Entrance to Margueritte College, leading to the Bishop’s -Palace and the Cloister (_see pp. 49–51_).] - -_In the middle_ is the entrance portal; _on the right_, the Western -Transept and the Towers enclosing the remarkable, square-shaped old -Choir; _on the left_, the Eastern Transept and polygonal apsis of the -Great Choir (_photo below_). - -_In front of the Towers, on the right of this photograph, is the_ -entrance to Margueritte College, _giving access to the_ Bishop’s Palace -_and the_ Cloister (_see pp. 49–51_). - - - The Entrance Portal - - (_North Front_) - -The Gable and Buttresses of the portal are 13th century. Its secular -ornamentation replaced, in the 18th century, Gothic statues, which were -destroyed as uncouth. - -The portal is placed between two chapels; that on the right (16th -century) is called “The Chaplet,” on account of the chaplets carved on -the buttresses. - - - The Towers - -The present bells weigh four and six tons respectively and date from -1756. They were so cast as to have the same proportions and tones as -those of the St. Germain-des-Prés Church in Paris. - - - The Apse of the Great Choir - -The basement is the remains of a Roman apse. The upper portion dates -from the end of the 14th century. - -[Illustration: APSIS OF THE GREAT CHOIR, SEEN FROM THE BANKS OF THE -MEUSE (_see p. 34_).] - -The bas-reliefs are Roman carvings, re-utilised in the Gothic -buttresses. _From right to left_ they represent _Adam and Eve_; the -_Annunciation_ (the Virgin and Angel are separated by a tree, whose -shape recalls the Tree of Life on the Chaldean cylinders reproduced on -the cloth-stuffs exported from Byzantium); _Cain and Abel (through an -error in perspective, frequently to be found in Egyptian art, the bust -and trunk of the two patriarchs are shown in profile, whilst the feet -are facing frontwards)_; an unknown bishop. - -[Illustration: THE GREAT NAVE - -In the background: The old choir and organ-loft (the organs had been -removed). In the foreground: The marble balustrade of the Great Choir -protected by sandbags] - - - The Great Nave and two Choirs - -The Great Nave was very seriously damaged by the bombardments. Several -bays of the vaulting fell in, leaving bare the timber-work of the roof -in ruins. - -_On entering the Cathedral by the Central Portal in the North Front -(see p. 43)_ the old Choir _(photos, p. 44) is on the right, and the_ -Great Choir with ciborium _(p. 45) on the left_. - -[Illustration: THE GREAT NAVE BEFORE THE WAR - -In the background: The Old Choir and the Great Organ. In the -foreground: The balustrade of the Great Choir] - -[Illustration: THE GREAT NAVE SEEN FROM THE OLD CHOIR - -In the background: The Great Choir and the Ciborium. The ruined vaults -have bared the damaged framework of the roof] - -The old square choir is intersected by the great organ, as at Albi. - -The decoration of the Great Choir dates from 1760. The marble -balustrade (_see p. 44_) is a copy of that in the Jardin du Luxembourg, -Paris, and replaced the old lateral walls and rood-loft. The gilded -canopy, which is a transformation of the antique ciborium of the -Gallo-Roman churches, is supported by four twisted columns of grey -marble. It is a copy of that of St. Peter’s at Rome. Behind it are -eighty-six stalls in two superposed rows, and carved panelling (_see p. -46_). - -[Illustration: THE CIBORIUM - -(The Ciborium was the canopy supported by columns which covered the -altars in the early Christian basilicas.)] - -[Illustration: THE STALLS AND WOODWORK OF THE GREAT CHOIR] - -=Stalls and Woodwork of the Great Choir.=—Classed as an historical -monument in 1905, this Rococo-style woodwork by Lacour of Toul is -remarkable for its somewhat secular elegance and fine finish. During -the bombardment of Verdun in 1916–1918 it was taken down and put in a -place of safety. - -[Illustration: THE SHRINE OF ST. SAINTIN - -Photographed with the woodwork of the Great Choir at the Exhibition of -the Evacuated Art Treasures held in Paris] - -=St. Saintin’s Shrine.=—This 14th-century shrine contains the relics of -the first bishop of Verdun, and is said to represent the ancient church -of the Premonstrants of St. Paul. - -[Illustration] - - - The South Aisle and Holy Sacrament Chapel - -The numerous collateral chapels are 14th, 15th and 16th century. The -most interesting is that of the Holy Sacrament. It was finished in -1402, and is Radial-Gothic in style. - -In the neighbouring transept there was formerly a “puits” (well), which -offended Louis XIV. when he visited the Cathedral in 1687. The Chapter -had it filled up and covered with a stone, on which was carved the -letter “P.” - -The Chapel of the Virgin contains an interesting mutilated monument to -Archdeacon Wassebourg, carved in the 16th century to perpetuate the -true image of Our Lady of Verdun seated and crowned. - -[Illustration: MONUMENT TO ARCHDEACON WASSEBOURG. CHAPEL OF THE VIRGIN] - -[Illustration: UPPER PORTION OF DOOR IN OLD ROMAN APSE, REMOVED TO THE -VESTRY.] - -[Illustration: ROMAN CAPITAL OF THE GREAT CRYPT FILLED IN IN 1755, -EXCEPT TWO BAYS DECORATED WITH PAINTINGS.] - -[Illustration: THE LAST JUDGMENT. PAINTING ON THE VAULT OF THE CRYPT.] - -_Enter the courtyard of the Bishop’s Palace by the door of the -Margueritte College (see p. 43). The Seminary seen in the background of -the photo has been completely destroyed since 1916. The door with steps -in front led formerly to a staircase descending to the Cloister. In -May, 1919, this staircase was easily accessible, in spite of the débris -all around._ - -[Illustration: COURTYARD OF THE BISHOP’S PALACE AND THE CATHEDRAL IN -1916] - - - The Bishop’s Palace - -This fine spacious building was erected in 1725–1755 from the plans of -_Robert de Cotte_. It has two terraces and a garden, with a view over -the whole town. Under the First Empire it was a senatorial palace. - -At the time of the separation of the Church from the State it was -turned into a =museum=. The latter contains a fine collection of medals -and coins, also numerous fragments of the ancient Abbey of St. Vanne, -which was inside the Citadel. These fragments include the remains of a -Pagan altar, a Corinthian capital with Barbarian ornamentation, and an -ivory comb with inscriptions, said to have been given by Emperor -St. Henri to the Abbot of St. Vanne in 1024. - -[Illustration: THE BISHOP’S PALACE. FAÇADE LOOKING ON THE COURTYARD AND -ENTRANCE TO THE MUSEUM.] - -[Illustration: THE CLOISTER - -On the left: Aisle of the Cathedral (_see p. 47_) and the Transept with -ruined roof. In the background: The East Gallery of the Cloister] - - - The Cloister (_Hist. Mon._ 13th and 14th centuries) - -_The door of Margueritte College and the courtyard of the Bishop’s -Palace lead to the Cloister (see photos, pp. 43 and 49)._ - -Although Gothic in structure, parts of the carved decorative work -announced the coming Renaissance (helmeted warriors and antique -personages crowned with laurels). - -Some of the keystones of the vaulting, representing bloated, bearded -faces, are said to be caricatures of the canons of the Cathedral, made -by the workmen who built the cloister, to revenge themselves for the -Church’s stinginess. - -[Illustration: THE WEST GALLERY IN WHICH THE STAIRCASE LEADING TO THE -CLOISTER OPENS OUT (1914) - -The arrangement of the blind windows against the walls is very rarely -met with] - -[Illustration: THE CLOISTER SEEN FROM ONE OF THE CATHEDRAL TOWERS - -In the background: the East Gallery. On the right the Seminary and -South Gallery in ruins. In the town is seen St. Saviour’s Church -against the green background of the fortifications] - -The heavy Seminary buildings, erected on two of the galleries, are 19th -century. They were almost entirely destroyed by the bombardments. - -[Illustration: THE SOUTH GALLERY OF THE CLOISTER BEFORE THE WAR - -Its present state is shown in the above photograph] - -_On leaving the Cathedral, the tourist arrives almost immediately at -the small Place Châtel, the highest point of the town. Take, the Rue -Châtel to the_ =Châtel Gate=. - -[Illustration: CHÂTEL GATE. BEHIND THE CATHEDRAL.] - -From the ancient “Fermeté” rampart, only this machicolated gate -(formerly called “Champenoise”) is visible near the small “Place -Châtel.” - -_On leaving the Châtel Gate, go down the Rue des Hauts Fins to the -corner of the_ Rue Montgaud: Blockhouse for four machine-guns to defend -the town. - -Cross the Esplanade de la Roche to the =Citadelle=. - - - THE CITADELLE - -From the Esplanade de la Roche, the arrangement of which dates from -1780–1783, there is a fine view of the Meuse valley and the prairies -known as =Pré-l’Evêque=. - -The entrance to the =Citadelle= opens on the Esplanade de la Roche, -while the Citadelle proper occupies the site of the ancient =Abbey= -and =Church of St. Vanne=, erected in the Merovingian Period and 15th -century on the hill where, in the days of Clovis, the Dragon with -poisoned breath was said to live. According to the legend St. Vanne -first tamed the dragon, then led it to the River Meuse, where it was -drowned. - -[Illustration: THE CITADEL BUILDINGS AFTER THE BOMBARDMENTS OF 1916 - -(_Photographed in 1917_)] - -The first Citadelle was begun in 1552, continued under Henri IV. by -Errard, and finished in 1630 under Governor Marillac. The second was -the work of Vauban (1670–1682). The church of St. Vanne was included -and preserved in both citadelles, but was later pulled down (1831–1835) -by order of the Military Authorities. The old Gothic cloister was -spared and turned into barracks in 1835. It was destroyed by the German -bombardment during the siege of 1870. Of the Abbey, only a square Roman -Tower of the 11th century remains (_see photo below_). - -[Illustration: THE CITADEL AND ST. VANNE TOWER, WITH WIRELESS ANTENNA.] - -[Illustration: THE CITADEL RAMPARTS AND NEUVE GATE. - -(_Entrance to the town by the G. C. 34, continued by the Rue de Rû. See -coloured plan between pp. 30 and 31._)] - -[Illustration: DORMITORY IN THE CASEMATES.] - - - The Citadel during the War - -During the late War, the Citadelle was often a target for the German -heavy guns, but its deep underground vaults provided secure shelter for -the population before the general evacuation, as also for the public -services and reinforcements. Most of the regiments which took part in -the battles of 1916 passed through the Citadelle. - -It was in one of the casemates that the President of France, M. -Poincaré, handed to the Municipal Authorities of Verdun, on September -13th, 1916, the decorations conferred on that City by the Chiefs of -State of the Allied countries (_see p. 30_). - -[Illustration: CO-OPERATIVE CANTEEN IN THE CITADEL.] - -_On leaving the Citadelle, turn to the right immediately after the -entrance and follow the glacis which passes underneath the terraces of -the Bishop’s Palace. After a sharp turning near the Manutention, the -tourist arrives at the_ =Rue de Rû=. - -_Take the latter as far as the_ =Rue des Gros-Degrés=, one of the most -picturesque streets of Old Verdun, which also suffered greatly from the -German bombardment. It is composed of eighty steps, divided into seven -unequal flights, with a hand-rail erected in 1595. _The photograph -opposite was taken from the bottom of the stairs._ - -[Illustration: THE RUE DES GROS-DEGRÉS.] - -_Take on the right the Rue du Pont des Augustins and cross the curious -canal_ of the same name (_photo below_) to visit the Lower Town, which -is crowded with picturesque old streets and narrow bridges over the -winding canals. - -[Illustration: THE CANAL DES AUGUSTINS.] - -_Return to the_ =Place Mazel=. - -_If the tourist has time, he may go from here to the_ =St. Victor -Gate=, _situated at the exit of Verdun, in the direction of Metz, -Nancy, Toul, and Commercy (see p. 56, and plan between pp. 30 and 31)_. - -[Illustration: ST. VICTOR’S GATE] - - - From the Place Mazel to St. Victor’s Gate - - (_See plan between pp. 30 and 31_) - -_Cross the St. Croix bridge, take the Rue de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, then the -Rue St. Sauveur, in which is the_ =Hospice St. Catherine=. - -The =Hospice St. Catherine= was the birthplace of Bishop St. Airy. -According to tradition the Bishop, on receiving a visit from -Childebert II., caused his last barrel of wine to be brought in. Giving -thanks, he was miraculously able to satisfy the deep-drinking Franks -for several days. (_This legend is probably connected with the planting -of the vineyards in the region of Verdun._) - -_Opposite the Church of St. Catherine is the_ colonaded front of the -former =Congrégation Notre-Dame Monastery=, now a school. - -_Further on are the_ =Church of St. Victor=, Rustic-Gothic in style, -_and the_ =Gate= of the same name (_photo above_). - -_Stairs on the right of St. Victor’s Gate lead to the_ Citadelle -Curtain 16, whence there is a fine view of the city. - -[Illustration: THE DOORWAY OF THE CONGRÉGATION NOTRE-DAME (63 RUE DE -L’HÔTEL-DE-VILLE)] - - - - - VISIT TO THE BATTLEFIELD - - -The following Itinerary is divided into two parts: - -1. The right bank of the Meuse, including the forts (Tavannes, -Souville, Vaux and Douaumont). _See pp. 57–87._ - -2. The left bank of the Meuse, including Cumières, Mort-Homme, Hill 304 -and Avocourt. _See pp. 88–111._ - - - - 1st ITINERARY: THE RIGHT BANK OF THE MEUSE AND THE FORTS - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: LEAVING VERDUN BY THE CHAUSSÉE GATE (_see p. 34_).] - - - I.—From Verdun to Tavannes Fort - -_Leave Verdun by the Chaussée Gate, cross the Meuse and the fortified -enclosure, and take the Rue d’Etain_ (R. N. 18) _on the left. Go up -the Faubourg Pavé._ This road, used by the relief troops in the -Vaux-Douaumont sector, was heavily and continually shelled until Verdun -was finally cleared in December, 1916. - -[Illustration: MILITARY CEMETERY AT THE EXIT OF THE FAUBOURG PAVÉ.] - -[Illustration: Two-page map of the battlefield.] - -[Illustration: THE INTERIOR OF TAVANNES FORT] - -_At the side of the Municipal Cemetery_ (_on the left_) is a Military -Cemetery containing more than 5,000 graves (_photo, p. 58_). - -_Follow_ N. 18 _for about six kilometers, then turn to the left into -the road leading to_ =Tavannes Fort=, _situated about a kilometer from -the main road_. - -=Tavannes Fort= dominates the ground behind the Vaux-Souville line and -the Etain-Verdun road. The Germans, in their effort to reach Souville, -sought by frequent bombardments to destroy the fort which resisted -stubbornly, but on May 7th a 17-inch shell destroyed one of the arches -and caused serious damage. - -Near the fort, on the Verdun-Etain railway, is the long =Tavannes -Tunnel=. - -Although the entrances were constantly shelled by enemy artillery, it -was used as a shelter for the reserves of the Vaux-Souville sector and -as a munitions depot. Bunks were fitted up in three superimposed rows, -300 to 450 feet in length, and separated by spaces, where numerous -other troops slept as they could on the ground. Despite the ventilating -shafts, the air remained foul, owing to the perspiration of the men and -the rudimentary sanitary arrangements. To complete the misery of the -men, a grenade depot blew up on the night of September 4th, causing -many victims. - -[Illustration: THE SOUTHERN MOAT OF TAVANNES FORT] - -[Illustration: THE CAR COMING FROM TAVANNES FORT TAKES THE ROAD ON THE -RIGHT TO VAUX FORT. THAT ON THE LEFT LEADS TO SOUVILLE FORT] - - - II.—From Tavannes Fort to Vaux Fort - -_Return to the road by which the fort was reached_ (I.C.2) _and turn -into it on the right. About 300 yards further on, at the fork (see -photo above), take the right-hand road (the other leads to Souville -Fort)._ On the left is the ravine which precedes the entrance to -Tavannes Tunnel. At first the road rises, then dips down to Bourvaux -Ravine. (_On the right the road to_ Bourvaux Battery _is visible_.) -The road zig-zags, then scales Hill 349, leading to Vaux Fort, after -crossing through the woods of La Laufée and Chenois, of which only a -few broken, branchless trunks remain. - -=Chenois and Laufée Woods and the Damloup Battery.=—Before and after -the fall of Vaux Fort, these positions were often attacked by the -Germans, especially in June, July and September, 1916. - -[Illustration: THE ROAD TO VAUX FORT (_the latter is in the -background_).] - -From June 2nd to 4th the Damloup battery and its approaches, defended -by units of the 142nd and 52nd Line Regiments, repulsed sharp German -attacks and prevented the enemy from debouching from Damloup. The -defence of the battery lasted till July 2nd, the defenders, in -constantly diminishing numbers, being attacked and bombarded without -intermission. On July 3rd a German attack, preceded by an intense -bombardment, resulted in the capture at about 1 p.m. of the greater -part of the battery, but the remnant of a French company held its -ground in the southern part of the work. At 3 p.m. only fifty men of -the company were left; at 8 p.m. twenty, but still they hung on until -an hour later they were reinforced by another company, which succeeded -in crossing the barrage. At two o’clock next morning the French -repulsed the enemy at the point of the bayonet and recaptured the -entire battery. - -[Illustration: LAUFÉE WOOD IN 1917] - -After losing it on July 12th, the French retook the battery in a -bayonet charge on October 24th, while General Lardemelle’s division -recaptured Chenois Wood (_see p. 19_). - -[Illustration: CHENOIS WOOD IN 1917. VAUX FORT IS IN THE BACKGROUND.] - -[Illustration: VAUX FORT IN 1916 (_photographed from aeroplane_).] - -=Vaux Fort.=—Built of masonry about the year 1880, afterwards of -concrete, and finally of reinforced concrete, the fort was only -completed in 1911. Smaller and less powerful than Douaumont Fort, it -dominates the plateau to the south of Vaux Ravine and the reverse side -of Douaumont Plateau. Therein lies its importance. On March 9th Germany -announced triumphantly to the world that the VIth and XIXth reserve -regiments of Posen had “taken by assault the armoured Fort of Vaux, as -well as numerous neighbouring fortifications.” - -This communiqué was untrue. Two battalions of the XIXth regiment of -Posen had in reality gained a footing on Vaux Hill on March 9th, but -they were mown down at close range by French fire. As a matter of fact, -three months of uninterrupted costly effort were necessary before the -Germans were able to enter Vaux Fort. - -[Illustration: GERMAN ADVANCE ON MARCH 8 AND 9, 1916.] - -On March 10th and 11th, in four column formation, they attacked the -slopes leading to the fort. Literally mowed down, regiment after -regiment left heaps of dead and wounded in front of the French -wire entanglements; 60 per cent. of the enemy effectives engaged -melted away in these two sanguinary days. After a terrific artillery -preparation—five times on March 16th and six times on March 18th—they -again swarmed up the slopes of the fort only to be thrown back with -heavy loss. On April 2nd the enemy sustained another check, but during -the night of June 2nd they reached the northern moat. While, on June -4th and 5th, six of their divisions attempted unsuccessfully to -outflank the fort on the north by Fumin and on the south by Chenois -Wood, the battle continued to rage on the fort itself and in front of -the southern side. - -[Illustration: VAUX FORT. THE MOATS IN JUNE, 1916] - -From March to June 2nd, the fort and its surroundings received no less -than 8,000 large calibre shells daily. Only one entrance was left, -_i.e._ the north-west postern, which enemy artillery fire rendered -unserviceable. The commander of the fort (Raynal) and his men were -imprisoned in the underground chambers of the fort, being no longer -able to hold their ground outside. To economise food and water, the -surplus contingents were ordered to leave the fort. On the night of the -4th a first detachment made its escape under the direction of Aspirant -Buffet, who returned to the fort the next evening with orders. The -same night 100 more men managed to get away. Carrier pigeons and -optical signals now furnished the only means of communication with the -French lines. On the 4th, the last pigeon was released. On the morning -of the 5th, thanks to two signalmen who volunteered to change a signal -post which the Commandant had difficulty in observing, communications -were maintained. The same night the Commandant sent his last message -that could be read in its entirety, and which ended: “We have reached -the limit, officers and soldiers have done their duty. Long live -France!” Nevertheless, the fort continued to hold out and refused to -surrender. On the night of the 6th reinforcements tried to relieve it -and reached the moat of the counter-scarp, but after losing nearly all -their officers they were compelled to fall back. The Germans gained a -footing in the ruins of the superstructure, and eventually succeeded -in driving the French out of the casemates by lowering baskets of -grenades with retarded fuses and by using liquid fire and poison gas. -Driven back into the underground passages, the French continued the -fight with grenades and bayonets. The 2nd regiment of Zouaves and the -Colonial regiment of Morocco made a last effort on the morning of the -8th to relieve the garrison. They reached the approaches of the fort, -from which clouds of thick black smoke, caused by a violent explosion -in one of the casemates, were pouring. Exposed to the fire of the enemy -machine-guns installed in the superstructure of the fort and attacked -by constantly increasing reinforcements, they were unable to hold their -ground. - -[Illustration: THE APPROACHES TO VAUX FORT IN MARCH, 1916 - -The Fort is on the left at the back] - -When, on the night of June 8th, after seven days and nights of -continual fighting, the heroic defenders of the fort were at last -overpowered, the unwounded among them had not tasted a drop of water -for two days. - -Five months later (November 2nd) the Germans were driven out of the -fort, which they hurriedly evacuated (_see pp. 63–64_). - -[Illustration: THE SOUTH-WEST SIDE OF VAUX FORT] - - - III.—From Vaux Fort to Souville Fort - -_On leaving Vaux Fort return along the same road to the fork (photo, -p. 60) and turn to the right. About one kilometer from the fork, on the -left, the escarpments of_ =Souville Fort= border the road. _Go to the -fort on foot (about 200 yards from the road)._ - -[Illustration: THE OLD ENTRANCE TO SOUVILLE FORT (Sept. 1916)] - -=Souville Fort=, which stands as high as that of Douaumont, commands -the background of the Douaumont—Vaux line. After taking this line, -the enemy, from June 15th to 22nd, undertook the destruction of the -fort. On the 23rd the entire CIIIrd German Division attacked, but was -repulsed with very heavy losses in front of the French second line -trenches. The attack was renewed by two divisions on July 11th and -12th, but failed to reach the moats of the fort. - -[Illustration: SOUVILLE FORT (_March 1917_).] - -[Illustration: Heights on left bank - -Froid-Terre Redoubt - -Froide-Terre Hill - -Road to Douaumont - -Thiaumont Redoubt - -Road to Douaumont - -Douaumont Fort - -Hardaumont Wood - -Vaux Ravine - -Hill 349 - -Chapitre Wood - -Vaux Fort - -PANORAMA SEEN FROM THE CROSS-ROADS AT THE CHAPEL OF ST. FINE (_entirely -destroyed_).] - -[Illustration] - -The “+” on the sketch-map above shows the spot from where the panorama -should be viewed. The car in the photo came from Souville Fort, turning -to the right towards Vaux Village. - -_After visiting the village return to the cross-roads and take the road -on the right to Douaumont, seen on the left half of the above panorama -(p. 66). The bombardments have left no trace of St. Fine Chapel._ - - - IV.—From Souville Fort to Vaux Village and Pond - -_After visiting Souville Fort return to the cross-ways at St. Fine -Chapel, seen in the above photo._ - -[Illustration: ATTACKING WAVES OF INFANTRY CROSSING FUMIN WOOD (_Oct. -1916_).] - -It was the ruins of this chapel that the enemy reached on July 12th, -1916, and that the 2nd regiment of Zouaves, at the order of General -Mangin, recaptured in order to relieve Souville Fort. - -_At the cross-roads, take the_ I. C. 12 _on the right to Vaux village. -The road dips down into a gorge between the woods of Le Chapitre and -Fumin._ - -=Chapitre and Fumin Woods.=—To the west and east of the road leading -to Vaux village, these two woods cover the flanks of the plateau which -dominates Vaux Ravine and supports Vaux Fort. It was there that the -Germans sought to outflank the fort on the west to reach Souville, -but they were held in check during May. From June, 1916, these woods -were subjected to bombardments of incredible intensity. A powerful -German attack on June 23rd failed, but another on July 12th enabled -the Germans to get a footing in Fumin Wood. In August and September -frequent enemy attacks gave them temporary local gains. On October 24th -and 25th, and again at the end of the month, French counter-attacks -captured the enemy strongholds and cleared the woods completely. - -The defence of the “R” outworks by the 101st line regiment was -intimately connected with the attacks on Fumin Wood and Vaux Fort. -These outworks were at the foot of the slopes of Fumin Wood, about -half-way between the village and fort of Vaux. Bombarded by heavy -guns on June 1st and 2nd, it was unsuccessfully attacked by the enemy -at 8 p.m. on the evening of the 2nd. Twice on the 3rd and once on -the 4th the French, reinforced by a few units, although deprived of -water and subjected to machine-gun fire on the flank, repulsed new -German attacks. A company of the 298th which, on the night of the 5th, -relieved that of the 101st (reduced to 39 men), held out three days -more under increasingly difficult conditions, and was only overpowered -on the night of the 8th after the capture of the fort of Vaux. These -positions were recaptured during the French offensive of October -2nd. 1916. The works known as the “Petit Dépôt,” “Fulda Boyau,” and -“Sablière,” bristling with machine-guns and scarcely touched by the -French artillery preparation, offered a stubborn resistance, and were -only captured by the 74th Division in the evening after a whole day of -exceedingly hard fighting. - -[Illustration: DEFENCE WORKS IN VAUX VILLAGE (_January, 1916_).] - -[Illustration: WHERE VAUX VILLAGE (_entirely destroyed_) STOOD BEFORE -THE WAR. (_Photo, April 20th, 1917._)] - -=Vaux-les-Damloup.=—From March 8th the Germans sought to enter this -village from the Woevre. The 1st battalion of their XIXth regiment of -Reserves, believing it to be empty, was well-nigh exterminated. On the -10th, after a nine-hour night bombardment with torpedoes, units of the -XVth and XVIIIth C.A. attacked the village. Although numbering more than -six to one, it was only after four successive attacks that they gained -a footing in the ruins of a block of houses behind the church. Soon -after they advanced as far as the ruins of the church. Five times they -sought to debouch, but were each time literally mowed down by the fire -of the French machine-guns and mountain batteries. After two costly -checks on March 16th and 18th the Germans again attacked on the evening -of the 30th, but it was only three days later and at the cost of very -heavy casualties that they were able to take and keep the village. - -[Illustration: VAUX POND (_March 1917_).] - -The road comes to an end at Vaux Pond. The village extended beyond the -wooden foot-bridge seen in the photo. No trace of it is left, and the -tourist will look in vain for any indication in the desolate waste -around him of this erstwhile picturesque and flourishing village. It -has literally been wiped out. - -_Turn the car round 100 yards from the pond, at the place where a -narrow-gauge rail-track formerly ran (see photo below)._ - -[Illustration: VAUX POND IS THE EXTREME POINT WHICH CAN BE REACHED BY -MOTOR-CARS.] - -[Illustration: THE SOUTHERN OUTSKIRTS OF FLEURY AFTER THE FRENCH -COUNTER-ATTACK OF JUNE 25TH, 1916.] - - - V.—From Vaux Village to Douaumont Fort - -After turning the car round at Vaux Pond, return by the same road to -the cross-ways at St. Fine Chapel (_see pp. 66 and 67_), continue -another fifty yards, then take on the right the road to Douaumont. - -About 500 yards farther on is the site of what was the village of -=Fleury-devant-Douaumont=. - -[Illustration: FLEURY. THE GRANDE RUE IN JULY, 1916.] - -From June 21st to September 30th, 1916, the village was often disputed. -After violently bombarding it from June 21st to 23rd, four German -Alpine regiments carried it, pushing forward to the south of the -Fleury-Vaux railway where the French 75’s checked them with very heavy -loss. On the 24th–25th the French reoccupied the eastern part of the -village. On the 27th two battalions of the French 241st line regiment -entered Fleury, but were soon driven out, after which they clung to -the southern and western parts. The enemy bombardment of July 9th–10th -levelled the village. On the 11th, picked German troops attacked and -outflanked it on the south. French counter-attacks succeeded on the -following days in driving the Germans back somewhat, 800 prisoners -being taken in ten days. On August 2nd–3rd the village was reoccupied -and 1,350 more prisoners taken. It was lost, then partly retaken on -August 5th at the point of the bayonet. Two weeks of constant grenade -fighting, from hole to hole, by battalions of Alpine Chasseurs from -Alsace, carried all that remained of the trenches adjoining the -positions “Trois Arbres” and “Montbrison.” On August 17th the Moroccan -Colonial Regiment finished the conquest of the village with their usual -dash. - -_In the ruins of Fleury, on the right, there is a road which, after -passing through Caillette Wood, comes to an end about 400 yards from_ -=Douaumont Fort=. _The latter can be reached from here on foot._ - -_One kilometer after the ruins of Fleury the road divides. Take the -right-hand one, the other leads to Bras by the northern slopes of -Froide-Terre Hill._ - -The uphill road follows the ridge, at the end of which is Douaumont -Fort, then passes south of =Thiaumont Redoubt=. - -[Illustration: FLEURY IN RUINS, OCTOBER, 1916.] - -=Thiaumont Redoubt=, S.W. of Douaumont Fort, dominating Froide-Terre -Hill and the Bras road to the W., and the Fleury road to the S., -formed the left extremity of the last but one line of resistance which -passed in front of Verdun, _via_ the village of Fleury and the forts -of Souville and Tavannes. For five months (May–September, 1916), which -saw some of the hardest fighting in the battle of Verdun, the Germans -wore themselves down against this line. Neither the repeated furious -attacks, nor poison gas, nor the incredibly intense bombardments could -break the resistance of the French, who clung desperately to their -positions. - -_A little further on the road passes the site of_ =Thiaumont Farm=, -_all traces of which were swept away by the battle_. - -=Thiaumont Farm=, captured on June 1st, was reconquered on the 2nd. -The enemy occupied the ruins on the 9th, after their big attack of the -previous day. On the 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th they sustained four -serious checks in front of the defences. Exasperated at the French -resistance, they deluged the positions and those of Froide-Terre, on -the 21st, with poison gas and more than 100,000 shells. At 6 o’clock -on the morning of the 23rd five Bavarian regiments attacked, but -although they reached the defences of Froide-Terre, they were unable -to hold them. However, those of Thiaumont remained in their hands. In -a magnificent attack on June 30th, and despite enemy cross-fire, the -French 248th line regiment reoccupied Thiaumont at noon, lost it at -four o’clock, but recaptured it again the next day and kept it until -relieved, in spite of furious German counter-attacks. From July 4th -to 9th Thiaumont was retaken and lost four times by the Germans, but -a fifth attack enabled them to hold it. Fighting around the defences -was continual during the rest of the month. From August 1st to 4th -the French 96th line regiment, supported by the 122nd, reconquered -Thiaumont and its approaches. From the 4th to the 8th it was defended -by the 81st, but on the evening of the 8th, after losing and retaking -it, they were driven out by a powerful German attack. Since June 23rd -Thiaumont had changed hands sixteen times. - -[Illustration: THIAUMONT REDOUBT OCCUPIED BY THE FRENCH IN MAY, 1916 - -The Central Shelter having been pierced by a shell on May 6th, the -Redoubt was afterwards only used as an Artillery Observation-Post. -The Entrance Trench in the foreground was each day levelled by enemy -shells, only to be re-made during the night.] - -From the middle of August the French command changed their tactics. -Abandoning the costly direct attacks, the redoubt was gradually -encircled. On October 24th Moroccan Colonial troops, Zouaves and -Tirailleurs, in a dashing grenade and bayonet attack, recaptured -Douaumont, the Farm and Redoubt of Thiaumont and the Dame and -neighbouring ravines. - -[Illustration: THIAUMONT REDOUBT IN RUINS OCCUPIED BY THE GERMANS A -MONTH LATER - -BARBED-WIRE ENTANGLEMENT IN FRONT OF THE FRENCH LINE] - -[Illustration: THE APPROACHES TO DOUAUMONT FORT AND VILLAGE. - - =a= [fan-shape sign] The upper photo on p. 78, =Dame Ravine=, was - taken from here. - - =b= [fan-shape sign] The lower photo on p. 80, =Helly Ravine=, was - taken from here.] - -_Leave the car at Thiaumont Farm and go on foot to Douaumont Fort, -following the temporary narrow-gauge line for about 1,300 yards. These -rails follow the old road which was entirely destroyed._ - - - DOUAUMONT FORT - - (_See photo, p. 29._) - -This modern stronghold, which the Crown Prince called “the N.E. angular -pillar of the permanent fortifications of Verdun,” occupies at Hill 388 -the culminating point of the hard limestone plateau which forms the -region of Verdun. Lying between Bras Ravine (which descends towards the -W. and the Meuse) and Vaux or Bazil Ravine (extending towards the E. -and the Woevre), the fort dominates the entire region. As the key of -the battlefield it was fiercely disputed. - -[Illustration: DOUAUMONT FORT IN JANUARY, 1916.] - -Before the battle of 1916 it was only bombarded twice by the German -artillery. Of the 250 shells fired at it early in November, 1914, 170 -reached the mark without, however, causing serious damage. The few -8-inch shells received on March 29th, 1915, did no damage whatever. - -[Illustration: THE FRONT ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 26TH (26/2), AFTER -THE GERMANS HAD OCCUPIED THE FORT BY SURPRISE, AND ON THE MORNING OF -THE 27TH (27/2), AFTER THE FRENCH COUNTER-ATTACK.] - -On February 25th, 1916, almost at the beginning of the battle, units -of the German XXIVth Infantry Regiment (IIIrd Brandenburgers), wearing -French Zouave uniforms, surprised and occupied the fort. On the morning -of the 26th the French 153rd D.I. (20th C.) counter-attacked fiercely -five times, advancing their line beyond the fort and surrounding -the enemy on three sides. Thanks, however, to a communicating -trench connecting up with their lines, the enemy were able to keep -their ground. From the 26th to the 29th they furiously attacked the -approaches of the fort without being able to surround it. A redoubt, -200 yards E. of the fort, was alternately lost and recaptured three -times on the 26th. From March 8th to May 19th the fighting continued -with varying fortune. - -[Illustration: THE ENTRANCE TO DOUAUMONT FORT IN JANUARY, 1916.] - -From the 19th to the 22nd French heavy guns bombarded the fort, the -explosion of a shell on the 20th causing hundreds of victims. To hamper -the enemy Intelligence Service six of their observation balloons were -destroyed by a French flying squadron on the morning of the 22nd. At -11.50 the 10th Brigade (5th D.I.) attacked the fort and its approaches. -At noon the 129th line regiment occupied the N. and N.W. corners of -the fort. The 74th regiment was unable to take the N.E. corner, but the -36th succeeded in capturing all the trenches west of the Fort. During -the night and all the next day the enemy intensified their bombardment -and increased the number of their counter-attacks, without breaking -through the defences of the 10th Brigade, which maintained all its -gains until relieved on the night of the 23rd. Exasperated at this -check, the Germans, on the 24th, engaged no less than an army corps of -reinforcements and retook the fort. - -[Illustration: THE INTERIOR OF THE FORT ON MAY 22ND, 1916, THREE HOURS -AFTER THE ATTACK. - -French Infantry and Sappers in a trench hurriedly made around an -outwork of masonry still held by the enemy with machine-guns.] - -Five months later (October 24th) they lost it again after a heavy -bombardment and attack, during which a French 16-inch shell pierced -the superstructure of the fort and started a fire. A dense fog overhung -the fort when, at 11.40 a.m., the signal for the attack, directed by -General Mangin, was given. When, at about 2.30 p.m. the fog lifted, -French observers perceived the Moroccan Colonials of the Nicolaï -battalion scaling the ruins of the fort. On arriving there, the latter -found units of the 321st line regiment which, operating _in liaison_ on -their right, had preceded them and already hoisted the French flag on -the ruins of the fort. Two sappers of the 19-2 Co. of Engineers slipped -into the basement of the fort, and with the aid of four Colonials -captured twenty-four German soldiers, four officers, two guns and three -machine-guns in one of the counter-scarp shelters. Other enemy soldiers -in one of the casemates surrendered, with the German commander of the -fort, on the night of the 24th. The next morning the entire fort, -together with a great quantity of arms, munitions and foodstuffs, was -in the hands of the French. Four enemy counter-attacks on the 26th -failed to retake it. - -[Illustration: SOLDIERS OF THE MOROCCAN COLONIAL REGT. OCCUPYING THE -MOATS OF THE RECONQUERED FORT (photographed on the morning of -Oct. 25th, 1916, the day after the victory)] - -On the night of the 24th a sergeant of the 4th Zouaves captured, -unaided, a German company and six officers. Returning from -revictualling duty, he was taken prisoner by some Germans occupying a -shelter near the fort Coolly informing them that Douaumont and Damloup -Battery had fallen, he called on them to surrender. The attitude of the -sergeant was so convincing that after some hesitation they laid down -their arms and were brought into the French lines. - -Douaumont was entirely cleared on December 15th by the 37th D.I., which -fought a hard battle in the woods before the village. Having learned -the time of the attack, the Germans were on their guard, but after -a furious combat the 2nd Tirailleurs drove back the VIth Prussian -Grenadiers and crossed Helly Ravine (_photo, p. 80_). - -=Hardaumont= and =Caillette Woods= and =Douaumont Village= _may be -visited, on foot from the fort of Douaumont_. - -The plateau E. and S.E. of Douaumont Fort ends in wooded slopes, -which overhang Vaux (Basil) Ravine. That furthest to the E. contains -Hardaumont Wood, while on the most western slope is Caillette Wood. -The Germans who, on March 8th and 9th, had taken Hardaumont Redoubt, -only entered Caillette Wood on April 2nd, after four days’ attacks -with asphyxiating gas and liquid fire. Despite a night march of -eleven miles, the 74th line regiment (5th D.I.) attacked the enemy -vigorously on the morning of April 3rd. On April 3rd, 4th and 5th the -French retook the wood, bit by bit. On the 15th three battalions of -the 36th line regiment and units of the 120th threw back the enemy -between Caillette and Fausse-Côte ravines, while on the 19th the 81st -Brigade enlarged these gains. From the 24th to the 26th the Germans -tried in vain to advance. On June 1st they engaged two and a half -divisions before they were able to occupy the greater part of Caillette -Wood. Moreover, their success was only temporary, for on October 24th -the French Division of General Passaga (“La Gauloise”) drove them -definitely out of Caillette Wood and partly from that of Hardaumont. -Nearly two enemy divisions were put out of action and seventeen -field guns, twenty-five heavy guns, including two of long range, and -numerous trench mortars were captured. The reconquest of Hardaumont -Wood was completed on December 15th by the same division which captured -“Lorient” and Hardaumont Redoubts. - - * * * * * - -=Douaumont Village=, situated below and 500 yards to the W. of the -fort, was almost encircled on the evening of February 25th, but -Zouaves and Tirailleurs extricated it. From the 25th to the 28th -the Vth German D.I. made five furious attacks, but were unable to -break down the resistance of the 95th line regiment and units of the -153rd D.I. which were defending the village. On March 2nd, after a -preliminary bombardment which destroyed the village and isolated the -battalion holding it, the CXIIIth German D.I., wearing French helmets, -attacked at 1.15 p.m. on the N. and E. The French machine-gunners soon -discovered the trick, however, and mowed them down. After a second -bombardment the enemy again attacked, overwhelming the defenders, one -company of whom resisted to the last man. - -[Illustration: RUINS OF DOUAUMONT VILLAGE AND CHURCH.] - -The remains of the French battalion took their stand fifty yards S.W. -of the village and prevented the enemy from debouching. On the 3rd two -battalions of the 172nd and 174th line regiments retook the village at -the point of the bayonet. During the night the Germans counter-attacked -twice unsuccessfully with heavy loss, 800 dead being counted in front -of one of the French trenches. On the 4th a third and more powerful -counter-attack succeeded in driving the French from the village, but -broke down against new positions 200 yards to the south. The French -were compelled to fall back in May and June, but returned victorious to -the ruined village on October 24th. - -[Illustration: DAME RAVINE. - -The road from Thiaumont to Bras follows it, ending at Haudromont -Quarries (_see Itinerary, p. 57_). The tree-stumps in the foreground -formed part of Chauffour Wood.] - -[Illustration: POSITION OF GERMAN BATTERY DESTROYED IN CHAUFFOUR WOOD.] - -[Illustration: HAUDROMONT QUARRIES IN SEPTEMBER, 1917.] - - - VI.—From Douaumont Fort to Bras and Samogneux - -_A down-hill road leads direct from Douaumont Village to Thiaumont -Farm, where the tourist will take his car again._ - -_Follow the road, which turns to the left and passes through Dame -Ravine._ On all sides the chaotic waste testifies to the terrible -hammering which this region received from the guns (_see photo, p. 78, -and map, p. 73_). - -_The tourist leaves_ =Chauffour Wood= _on his right_ (_photos, p. 78_). - -This wood extends to the north of the road and approaches to within a -few hundred yards of Douaumont on the west. The CVth German Infantry -was cut to pieces here on the morning of February 26th, 1916, and on -March 2nd the XXIst German Division suffered a similar fate there. -During a powerful attack around Douaumont on April 16th the Germans -occupied a small salient S. of the wood, but were soon after partially -driven out, while on December 17th the wood was entirely cleared of -them by the Zouaves and Tirailleurs of the 38th D.I. The enemy’s -efforts to retake it and Albain Wood to the S.W. were unsuccessful. - -_Continue to descend_; =Haudromont Quarries= _will be reached shortly -afterwards_. - -Around these positions, which dominate the ravine debouching at -the stream near Bras, furious indecisive fighting took place, more -especially on March 18th, April 22nd and May 8th, 9th, 10th, 22nd, 26th -and 27th, 1916. They were finally taken on October 24th by the French -11th line regiment. - -Fighting was very bitter around the quarries, which form a rough -oblong 200 to 300 yards long, fifty to sixty yards wide, visible from -afar on account of their white colour. The enemy had cut galleries, -casemates and shelters in the chalky soil, the whole forming a -redoubtable position. After encircling the quarries, the French -captured them with grenades. - -[Illustration: HAUDROMONT WOOD IN MARCH, 1917] - -_At the bottom of the hill, opposite and below_ =Haudromont Quarries=, -_tourists desirous of visiting_ =Helly Ravine= (_see photo below, and -map, p. 73_), which was the scene of terrible fighting during the -offensive of December, 1916 (_pp. 20–21_), _should turn to the right -for about 300 yards_. - -_Return to the starting-point and continue straight along the_ =Bras -Road=. - -_On the right the tourist comes to the uphill road to_ =Louvemont=, -_which crosses the southern slopes of Poivre Hill. This road is -impracticable for carriages beyond Louvemont._ - -[Illustration: HELLY RAVINE (_photographed in May, 1919_).] - -[Illustration: ROAD FROM LOUVEMONT TO ORNES - -(Farthest point accessible to motor-cars in May, 1919)] - - - Louvemont and Poivre Hill - -At 2.20 p.m. on February 24th, strong enemy forces debouched between -=Louvemont= and =Hill 347=. During the night the first French -reinforcements, belonging to the 20th C.A., repulsed them. On the -25th, the enemy, in dense formation, outflanked the village on the W. -and E. They were checked several times by units of the 37th D.I. and -artillery fire, but succeeded in entering the village at 3 p.m., after -having practically levelled it by shell fire. - -[Illustration: LOUVEMONT VILLAGE IN APRIL, 1917.] - -Zouaves, who were still clinging to the outskirts, ran short of -ammunition, but on being reinforced by a battalion of Tirailleurs -with 50,000 cartridges, continued with the latter to defend the S.E. -approaches of the village until the morrow. - -[Illustration: FROIDE-TERRE REDOUBT IN 1915] - -Owing to their heavy losses, the French 37th D.I. was compelled to -fall back, but the fire from a hundred 75 mm. guns concentrated at -Froide-Terre held the Germans in check and prevented their debouching -from the village. The French 39th D.I. promptly took up positions in -front of the 37th, between Poivre Hill and the Meuse, and barred the -road to Bras. Louvemont and its approaches were brilliantly retaken -during the French offensive of December 15th, 1916. While a brigade of -the 126th D.I. captured Hill 342 in several rushes, the 4th Moroccan -Brigade of the 38th D.I., in a running attack, carried the first and -second enemy lines, Louvemont and Hill 347, as well as a fortified -cavern known as the camp du Henrias, before which one of the victors of -Douaumont, Major Nicolaï, was killed. - -On August 20th, 1917, four successive lines of trenches were taken by -the French 165th D.I., in an attack to the north of Louvemont. - -_On leaving Louvemont, return by the same way to the Bras Road and take -it on the right. Bras village is reached shortly afterwards, where the -Itinerary follows the Meuse Valley and_ N. 64. - -=Bras.=—The Prussians camped here in 1792, during the occupation of -Verdun. - -[Illustration: THE LAST TRAIN TO PASS AT THE FOOT OF POIVRE HILL IN -1916. IT WAS WRECKED BY ENEMY ARTILLERY] - -In 1916 the Germans could not capture it, although they took Poivre -Hill which dominates the village to the N. - -After several checks (_e.g._ February 25th and March 9th) they occupied -Poivre Hill and Vacherauville, but were unable to dislodge the French -from the woods to the S.E. - -[Illustration: BRAS VILLAGE AND POIVRE HILL IN SEPT, 1917] - -From March, they organised a network of barbed-wire entanglements, -concrete galleries, redoubts, shelters, etc., on the hill, converting -it into a kind of fortress, but on December 15th the village and hill -were rushed by the 112th line regiment in three-column formation, -covered on the left by a fourth column and supported by auto-cannon. -Veritable bastion, overlooking the Beaumont road and flanking the -entire German line, the village could only be captured by surprise, and -the latter was complete. German officers were taken in their shelters -while dressing. The attack had not been expected before noon or later -than 2 p.m. The village was conquered in ten minutes, and Poivre Hill -in seven minutes, in a single rush. - -[Illustration: RUINS OF BRAS CHURCH, WHOSE TOWER COLLAPSED - -(_Photographed in April, 1917_)] - -_From Bras continue northwards to_ Vacherauville and Samogneux, where -the first German attacks at the beginning of the battle of Verdun took -place, (_see Itinerary p. 57._) - -[Illustration: THE GERMAN ADVANCE ON FEB. 24TH, 1916] - -=Vacherauville=, entirely destroyed, _is reached soon afterwards. -Leave on the right the road to Beaumont and take, a little further on, -that leading to Champneuville, which brings the tourist to the top -of_ =Talou Hill=, _from where the panoramic view on pp. 86 and 87 was -taken_. - -Situated in a long bend of the Meuse, =Talou Hill= gradually slopes -down to the water’s edge. On February 25th the enemy reached this -hill which, caught between the fire from both banks, became equally -untenable for the French and Germans, and from February 27th was -considered as a neutral zone. It was retaken by the French in their -offensive of August 20th, 1917, at the same time as the villages of -Neuville, Champneuville and Champ. - -=Samogneux= _may be reached from Talou Hill, either by continuing, via -Champneuville (see outline map, p. 87), or by returning to the_ R. N. -64. - -[Illustration: VACHERAUVILLE. THE APPROACHES TO THE VILLAGE ON DEC. -20TH, 1916] - -Subjected to an infernal shell-fire on February 22nd and 23rd -=Samogneux= had to be abandoned by the French on the evening of the -latter date. It was retaken by the 126th D. I. on August 21st, during -the French offensive of August, 1917, _i.e._ two days in advance of the -scheduled date (_see p. 23_). - -[Illustration: THE CENTRE OF SAMOGNEUX VILLAGE ON THE N. 46, IN MAY, -1919. - -The village was entirely levelled.] - -E. of Samogneux and dominating the road from Vacherauville to Beaumont -rises =Hill 344=, which, together with Samogneux and Beaumont, fell -into the hands of the enemy in 1916. It was retaken during the French -offensive of August 20th, 1917, by regiments belonging to the 123rd and -126th D.I. These were almost immediately relieved by the 14th D.I., -which for three weeks withstood violent enemy counter-attacks without -flinching. On September 9th, in particular, it repulsed an attack by -several German divisions which had orders to retake Hill 344 at all -costs. - -[Illustration: SAMOGNEUX CHURCH IN AUG., 1915.] - -_Return to Bras by the same road._ - - - VII.—From Bras to Verdun - -_From Bras take N 64 towards_ =Verdun=. _The road winds across the -western slopes of_ =Belleville Fort=. _At the top of the hill, take the -road on the left (leaving the down-hill road to Verdun)._ - -_The road (IC 2) passes by_ =Belleville Fort= _and along the top of the -hill, which formed the last permanent line of resistance, from, N.E. of -Verdun to_ =St. Michel Fort=. - -_From_ =St. Michel Fort= _there is a fine run down_ =St. Michel Hill= -_to Verdun which enter by the_ =Rue d’Elain= _and_ =Chaussée Gate=. - -[Illustration: Hill 275 - -Chattancourt-Esnes Road - -Hill 304 - -Chattancourt Village - -Mort-Homme - -Champ Village - -Oie Hill - -Cumières Hill - -Montfaucon] - -[Illustration: Forges Wood - -End of Oie Hill - -River Meuse - -Heights of Sivry-on-the-Meuse - -Consonvoye - -Brabant - -Verdun—Consonvoye Road - -Samogneux - -PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE MEUSE VALLEY SEEN FROM THE TOP OF TALOU HILL.] - -(_Consider the four parts from left to right, across both pages; the -top half fits on to the left of the bottom half._) - -[Illustration: From this spot on the road from Vacherauville to -Champneuville (see outline map, p. 87), there is a general view of the -lines from which the German Offensive started, and of the battlefield -on the left bank of the river.] - -[Illustration] - - - - 2nd ITINERARY: THE LEFT BANK OF THE MEUSE - - including Cumières, Oie Hill, Mort-Homme, Montfaucon, Hill 304, and - Avocourt (_see description, pp. 90–111_) - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: THE CHURCH AND MAIN STREET OF CHARNY IN JANUARY, 1916] - - - I.—From Verdun to Charny - -_Leave Verdun by the Porte de France; after the railway bridge -go straight along_ G. C. 38 _(see plan between pp. 30–31.) Cross -the Faubourg de Jardin-Fontaine, then Thierville village. Facing -it is_ MARRE FORT. _At the foot of the hill on which the fort -stands, turn to the right. Leaving on the left the ruined_ farm of -Willers-les-Moines, _the road climbs up the small_ Hill 243, _below -which is the_ strongly fortified =Charny Redoubt=. - -On the other side of the level-crossing is =Charny=. It was at Charny -that the Germans crossed the Meuse in 1870. Incidentally, they shot -the former notary, M. Violard, under the pretext that he had aided -an attack by the francs-tireurs of Verdun. In 1916, the village was -frequently bombarded by the enemy, particularly on March 31st. - -[Illustration: THE CHURCH AND MAIN STREET OF CHARNY SEEN FROM THE OTHER -SIDE IN MAY, 1919 - -On the horizon: Poivre Hill] - -[Illustration: MARRE VILLAGE IN RUINS. - -Beyond the Church take the road on the right to Cumières. That on the -left, leading to Bourrus Woods, is impracticable for cars.] - - - II.—From Charny to Cumières - -_Return to the level crossing, then turn to the right on leaving -Charny. The road skirts the northern slopes of the hills on which -stands the_ modern forts of =Vacherauville=, =Marre= and =Bourrus -Woods=. - -_Cross through Marre village, in ruins. Beyond the ruined church follow -the right-hand road (photo above) to_ =Cumières=. _Half-way between -Marre and Cumières are (on the right) the station of_ =Chattancourt=, -_(on the left) the road leading to that village_. - -[Illustration: CUMIÈRES IN MAY, 1916] - -Attacked on March 14th and destroyed by shell-fire on April 25th, -=Cumières= was only captured by the Germans on the night of -May 23rd. Three days later the French retook the eastern portion after -a desperate combat. On May 29th and 30th, after two days of continual -bombardment, they were momentarily driven back towards Chattancourt, -but a vigorous counter-attack brought them back to the southern -outskirts of the village. Caurettes Wood, to the S.W. of Cumières, -remained, however, in the enemy’s hands. - -[Illustration: Haumont Wood - -Oie Hill - -Samogneux - -River Meuse - -National Road No. 64 - -Poivre Hill - -Talou Hill - -Champneuville - -Road from Champneuville to Vacherauville - -Froide-Terre Hill - -Champ Village - -Vacherauville Fort - -PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE RIGHT BANK OF THE MEUSE SEEN FROM OIE HILL (_see_ -Outline Map below).] - -On August 20th, 1917, Cumières village and wood were retaken by a -regiment of the Légion Étrangère, who attacked singing the famous -popular song “La Madelon.” - -[Illustration: CUMIÈRES IN AUGUST, 1917.] - -[Illustration] - -_From_ =Cumières= _continue straight ahead to Oie Hill, from where the -above panoramic view was taken_. - -[Illustration: CHATTANCOURT ON MAY 16TH, 1916. - -On the horizon: The slopes of Mort-Homme.] - - - III.—From Cumières to Chattancourt and Mort-Homme - -_On leaving Cumières return to the Station of Chattancourt, and take on -the right the road to_ =Chattancourt=, which is about 800 yards further -on. This village was completely levelled (_photo below_). - -[Illustration: CHATTANCOURT IN 1919. - -Nothing remains of the houses and trees. The road seen in the above -photo leads to Mort-Homme.] - -[Illustration: THE GERMAN ATTACKS OF MARCH 5TH–14TH, 1916, ON THE LEFT -BANK OF THE MEUSE] - -_From Chattancourt the positions of_ =Mort-Homme= _may be visited -by the road to Béthincourt (the lower photograph on p. 94 shows the -beginning of this road)_. - -_Motor-cars can go as far as the top of_ =Hill 295= _or_ =Mort-Homme=, -_where it is necessary to turn the car round and return to -Chattancourt, as the road is cut near Béthincourt by the Forges stream, -which has entirely flooded the lower part of the village_. - -=Mort-Homme.=—Like Hill 304, Mort-Homme was one of the most fiercely -disputed positions on the left bank. It consists of twin hills: No. 265 -(of which the Béthincourt-Cumières road skirts the summit) and No. 295 -(the Mort-Homme proper, round which the road winds on the N.E.), and -formed an excellent observation-post and artillery position in front of -the real line of resistance. - -On March 5th, 1916, the German offensive, which, until then, had been -confined to the right bank of the river, developed with great violence -on the left flank, progressing in six days to the slopes of Mort-Homme. - -On the 14th, after a five-hours bombardment with shells of every kind -and size, sometimes at the rate of 120 a minute, the enemy’s Infantry -attack on Mort-Homme began. The Germans took and kept Hill 265, but -the French Infantry and Zouaves, after a magnificent defence, held -their ground on Hill 295—the key to the entire position—and in night -counter-attacks drove back the assailants to the N.W. counter-slopes. - -From March 15th to the end of December, 1916, the Germans launched -at least fifteen particularly violent attacks against Hill 295, -sacrificing countless men and huge quantities of munitions. On March -16th, 17th and 31st, and April 9th and 10th, French Chasseurs and -Infantry repulsed the enemy in terrible hand-to-hand fighting. On -April 22nd, 23rd and 24th the French 40th D.I., by its resistance and -brilliant counter-attacks, broke up as many as three enemy attacks in -one day, and re-established the French front as it was on April 5th. -Further German attacks on Hill 295 followed on May 7th, 20th and 22nd, -June 29th, July 12th and December 28th. Their furious offensive of May -20th alone brought them momentarily on the S.W. crest of Hill 295 and -as far as the French second-line trenches, which were retaken on June -15th. - -At that time the sector of Mort-Homme and Hill 304 was commanded by -General de Maud’huy, whose courage and coolness are legendary in the -army. The exploits of the French troops at Mort-Homme during the -difficult period of 1916 were countless. One of the most brilliant was -accomplished on April 9th by the 11th Company of the 151st Regiment -of Infantry, which had received orders to reconquer the crest of the -Mort-Homme. - -Laughing and singing under a continual bombardment, this company -went into line, a section at a time, with measured step and rifle in -hand. On approaching the enemy trenches, the men rushed forward under -heavy machine-gun fire and captured a large and important network of -trenches. Promptly organising the conquered trenches, and despite -an extremely intense enemy bombardment of thirty-six hours, the men -succeeded in re-establishing the _liaison_ with the 8th Battalion of -Chasseurs on their right, making it possible to reform the line which -had been broken, and which the enemy afterwards tried in vain to -pierce, until May 20th. - -[Illustration: THE SOUTH-WESTERN SLOPES OF MORT-HOMME IN JANUARY, 1917.] - -In 1917 the sector was often the scene of violent combats, especially -on January 25th, and March 18th, 20th and 29th. After many efforts and -at heavy cost the Germans succeeded in occupying Hill 265 and the crest -of Hill 295, where they organised formidable defences, including deep -shell-proof tunnels. - -On August 20th, 1917, during the French attack along the entire Verdun -front, the 31st D.I. carried all the German defences and recaptured -the Mort-Homme and its tunnels, including the one known as the -“=Crown-Prince=,” which was “cleaned out” by the Foreign Legion. In one -of the tunnels several cavalry-men, units of the XXXVIth and a whole -battalion of the XXth Regiment of the German Reserve, were captured, -while among the officers taken was Count Bernstorff, nephew of the -ex-German Ambassador to the United States. An entire staff was captured -in another of the tunnels. - -[Illustration: MORT-HOMME AFTER THE ATTACK OF AUGUST, 1917 (see p. 23)] - -=Corbeaux Wood.=—The plateaux dominated by the two Mort-Homme Hills are -cut into on the north of the high road by a ravine bordered by Corbeaux -Wood. This wood offers favourable cover for the massing of attacking -troops. It was by this fiercely disputed route that the enemy tried to -reach Hill 295. On March 6th the French line was brought back in front -of the wood. On the 7th the enemy, after bombarding it, succeeded in -getting a footing there, but on the following day the 92nd Infantry -Regiment, in a magnificent counter-attack, retook the wood in twenty -minutes. On the morning of the 10th, reinforced by another infantry -battalion, the same regiment further captured the N.E. outskirts -of Cumières Wood (to the E. of Corbeaux Wood), but in the evening, -deprived of its commanding officer (Colonel Macker, who had fallen -that morning), and lacking the support of the French artillery, which -the trees prevented from seeing the rocket-signals, the regiment was -compelled to fall back before an impetuous attack by a whole enemy -division. However, it was only at frightful cost that the Germans were -able to score these two successes, as the French gave ground only inch -by inch. - -The wood was retaken by the Foreign Legion Regiment on August 20th, -1917 (_see p. 23_). - -[Illustration: MORT-HOMME - -Trenches captured in August, 1917] - -[Illustration: Road to Montzéville - -Hill 304 - -Road to Esnes - -THE ROAD FROM CHATTANCOURT TO ESNES, AT THE FOOT OF HILL 275. - -In the background the road forks, that on the left going to -Montzéville, the one on the light to Esnes. The tourist should take the -latter.] - - - IV.—From Mort-Homme to Esnes. - -_From Mort-Homme return to the starting-point at Chattancourt, and take -on the right the road to Esnes (see photo at the bottom of p. 94)._ - -[Illustration: ESNES VILLAGE IN 1919. - -_On the left_, THE CASTLE; _on the right_, THE CHURCH.] - -This fairly steep road scales the northern slopes of Hill 275. Driving -is rather difficult by reason of the numerous shell holes in the road. -A pass is soon reached, from which Hill 304 can be seen opposite -(_photo, p. 98_). - -[Illustration: ESNES IN JANUARY, 1916] - -This road crosses all the organisations of the first line shelters, -posts of commandment, dressing-stations, etc. _Continue as far as a -crossing_ (visible in _photo, p. 98_), _where turn to the right into_ -=Esnes=. - -By reason of its position, S. of Hills 304 and 295, Esnes was an -important base of operations during the Battle of Verdun. It was -subjected to frequent enemy bombardments, of which the most violent -occurred on March 20th and 21st, April 5th, 6th, 12th, 25th and 26th, -and June 22nd, 1916. - -The three photographs on pp. 98 and 99 show the aspects of the village -at three different stages of the battle. - -[Illustration: ESNES ON SEPTEMBER 25TH, 1916.] - -[Illustration: Mort-Homme - -Heights on the left bank of the river - -Hill 275 - -Road to Chattancourt - -Marre Fort - -Hill 272 - -Bourrus Woods - -Hill 310 - -FROM MORT-HOMME TO BOURRUS WOODS; PANORAMIC VIEW TAKEN FROM THE WAYSIDE -CROSS AT ESNES (_see_ Outline-Map below).] - -[Illustration: OUTLINE-MAP OF THE GROUND COVERED BY THE ABOVE PANORAMIC -VIEW.] - - - V.—From Esnes to Montfaucon, via Hill 304 - -_After passing in front of the ruins of Esnes Church, continue straight -ahead, taking the second road on the right (not the first, which leads -to Béthincourt—see photograph above)._ - -_The road on the left ends in a very steep rough track and is -impracticable for cars._ - -_The road to be followed zig-zags up to the_ =Wayside Cross of Esnes=, -_from which there is a magnificent view of the battlefields on the left -bank from Mort-Homme to Bourrus Woods (Panorama above)_. - -_At the Wayside Cross take the road to the right._ - -_The left-hand one (seen in the foreground on photo, p. 101) leads to -Avocourt. The tourist will take it on his return from_ =Montfaucon=. - -_The one on the right (in the foreground on photo, p. 100) passes -between_ =Hills 287 and 304= _(the latter of celebrated memory) -crosses the ruins of_ =Haucourt and Malancourt villages=, and ends at -=Montfaucon=. - -[Illustration: THE TOP OF HILL 304, SEEN FROM POMMERIEUX PLATEAU.] - - - HILL 304 - -=Hill 304=, with Hills 287, 310 and 275, forms from Malancourt to Marre -Fort a line of natural fortresses, which kept under their cross-fire -not only the roads of approach, but also the bare glacis and the abrupt -escarpments immediately bordering them. - -The covered ground nearest Hill 304 is the S.E. corner of Avocourt -Wood. It was from this wood that the IInd Bavarian D.I. left to attack -the Hill on March 20th, 1916. - -They were checked, however, on the long barren slope leading to the -ridge, by the French cross-fire. Their three regiments, on March -20th to 22nd, lost from fifty to sixty per cent. of their effective -strength, without gain. On April 9th, before Hill 287, the first German -attacking wave succeeded in crossing the French first-line trench, -practically destroyed by bombardment. They were running towards the -French supporting trench when the survivors of the front-line trench, -coming out of their shelters in the upheaved ground among the dead, -exterminated them to the last man. - -On May 3rd, eighty German batteries concentrated their fire on Hill -304 and its approaches. Clouds of black, green and yellow smoke rose -from the hill-top as from a volcano, obscuring the sky to a height of -2,500 feet, according to the reports of aviators. As a British war -correspondent put it: “The sky was like a dome of invisible rails -on which fast trains ran madly.” On May 4th and 5th a fresh German -division attempted to occupy the position, believing it and its -defenders to have been annihilated. They gained a footing on the N. -slopes of the hill, but were driven back during the night by the French -68th R.I., which then withdrew. On the 5th the same German division -attacked on the left the Camard Wood and Hill 287. In this wood, -entirely levelled by an eleven-hour bombardment, the 66th Line R.I. -first held up, then charged the assailants at the point of the bayonet. -At Hill 287 a battalion of the 32nd Line R.I. likewise brilliantly -repulsed two attacks. On May 7th, after a tremendous shelling, the -enemy attacked Hill 304 simultaneously from three sides with troops -from five different divisions. It was their greatest effort against -this position. However, two French regiments of picked troops (125th -and 114th), one company of which charged, to the strains of _La -Marseillaise_, the Germans were thrown into disorder and driven back to -the N. slopes. During the rest of the month the enemy counter-attacked -continually, at times in force, as on May 18th, 20th and 22nd, but -without success. - -[Illustration: TRENCH ON HILL 304. - -Reconquered August 24th, 1917.] - -On June 29th and 30th they sought to turn the Hill from the E. and W. -with the help of liquid fire. On the E. desperate fighting took place -around a work which was lost by the French on the 29th, then retaken, -lost again, and reconquered on the 30th. - -The Germans made a powerful attack on December 6th, in which they took -several trenches on the E. slopes. - -On the 28th of the same month another German attack, preceded by an -intense bombardment, failed. - -In 1917 the enemy continued their efforts against Hill 304. They -succeeded on January 25th in occupying several of the French -advance-positions, which were partly recaptured the next day. - -Further enemy attacks on March 18th, 20th and 29th were repulsed after -hand-to-hand fighting. - -On June 28th and 29th another powerful enemy attack succeeded, with -heavy loss, in capturing Hill 304 and advancing between the Hill and -the S.E. corner of Avocourt Wood, to a slight hollow known as the -=Col-de-Pommerieux=. This hollow was, however, reconquered on July -17th by the French 51st and 87th R.I., supported by two battalions -of the 97th D.I. (335th and 346th Regiments), and one battalion of -the 73rd D.I. After a remarkable artillery preparation, the French -infantrymen, in half-an-hour, reached the fortified crest, and regained -a kilometer of ground, including the famous “Demi-Lune” Redoubt. The -87th R.I., composed of men from the north, Valenciennes, St. Quentin -and Lens, went 300 yards beyond the assigned objective and captured -an observation-post in front of the crest, which they christened “_Le -crèneau des Gretchen_.” The attack occurred at the time the enemy -troops were being relieved, 520 prisoners, belonging to at least -three different divisions, being taken. From a single sap the French -Grenadiers brought out four German officers, one of whom, on descending -the hill, turned back to admire the manœuvre of the French soldiers. - -On August 24th Hill 304, the approaches to which had been reconquered -on the 20th, was carried by the 139th and 121st R.I. (26th D.I.). This -division, which attacked before Hill 304, on the Pommerieux Plateau and -at Camard Wood, captured prisoners belonging to five different German -divisions. After capturing Hill 304, Equerre Wood and Souvin Redoubt, -the division attacked again on the evening of the same day, this time -carrying the positions of Palavas, Alsace, Gateau-de-Miel and Lorraine, -and advancing the first French line to the Forges stream, _i.e._ more -than two kilometers from its starting-point between Haucourt and -Malancourt, the latter still being occupied by the enemy. - -_On leaving Hill 304, descend to_ =Haucourt= _and_ =Malancourt=. - -=Haucourt= hamlet, on the Fontaine-des-Aulnes stream, was attacked by -the Germans on April 4th, 1916, and taken after several sanguinary -setbacks on the night of the 5th after a fine defence by three -companies of the 79th R.I., which held their ground against a brigade. -It was recaptured on September 26th, 1918, by the First American Army. - -[Illustration: MALANCOURT. - -General view seen from the ruins of the Church in May, 1919.] - -=Malancourt= village was reoccupied by the French on October 13th, -1914. Enemy attacks on the following 16th and 20th failed. From -February, 1915, the French lines were advanced to the slopes on the -N. of the village. In 1916 the Germans did not attack until the end -of March. They were unable to enter it on the 28th, but the next -day captured two houses. On the night of the 30th they occupied it -entirely. - -Malancourt and its wood were recaptured by the First American Army on -September 26th, 1918. The wood was hard to take, as the Germans had -installed numerous blockhouses and barbed-wire entanglements. - -[Illustration: GERMAN OBSERVATION-POST IN THE RUINS OF MONTFAUCON -CHURCH.] - - - Montfaucon - -_From Malancourt tourists may go to Montfaucon, three miles away, by a -rather difficult road which has been summarily repaired._ - -From Montfaucon, where the Germans had established an observation-post -in the ruins of the church, there is a complete view of the whole of -the battlefield north-west of Verdun, from the hills on the right bank -of the Meuse, to Vauquois. - -_See Panorama and Map on pp. 106 and 107._ - -The tower of the church, which made a fine observation-post for -the Germans, was destroyed by the French artillery. When, after -their brilliant offensive of September 26th, 1918 (_see p. 24_), -the Americans drove the enemy from Montfaucon, they found this -observation-post (_photo below_) built with materials taken from the -ruins of the church. - -[Illustration: THE OPENING IN THE OBSERVATION-POST, THROUGH WHICH THE -PANORAMIC VIEW ON PP. 106 AND 107 WAS TAKEN.] - -[Illustration: Hills on the right bank of the river - -Road to Cuisy - -Mort-Homme - -Hill 275 - -Road to Malancourt - -Hill 310 - -Montfaucon Wood - -Vauquois Spur - -PANORAMA OF THE BATTLEFIELD OF VERDUN, SEEN FROM MONTFAUCON.] - -_The above view was taken from the inside of the Observation-Post -seen in the photo below, the camera looking through the slit-like -embrasure._ - -In the foreground are vestiges of shell-torn trees and the ruins of -Montfaucon Village. Verdun is on the horizon between Mort-Homme and -Hill 275. - -[Illustration: GERMAN OBSERVATION-POST, _through the embrasure of -which the above Panoramic View was taken_.] - -[Illustration: SKETCH-MAP OF THE BATTLEFIELD, AS SEEN BY THE GERMANS -FROM THE EMINENCE OF MONTFAUCON.] - -[Illustration: AVOCOURT VILLAGE IN MARCH, 1916.] - - - VI.—From Montfaucon to Avocourt - -_From Montfaucon return by the same road to Malancourt._ - -_The bad state of the Malancourt–Avocourt road (May, 1919) does not -allow it to be taken from the former to the latter locality._ (The road -passes through the woods of the same names, disputed with incredible -fierceness.) _The tourist should, therefore, return to the Wayside -Cross at Esnes, along the same road that he came by._ - -_From Esnes Cross (see p. 100), take on the right the road to Avocourt, -which marks approximately the extreme limit of the battlefield W. of -Verdun_. - -=Avocourt and Avocourt and Malancourt Woods.=—One of the finest feats -of arms in the Battle of Verdun was performed at Avocourt. - -[Illustration: THE CROSS IN THE MIDDLE OF AVOCOURT VILLAGE IN APRIL, -1916.] - -[Illustration: TRENCH IN THE RUINS OF AVOCOURT VILLAGE IN APRIL, 1917.] - -On March 20th, 1916, the Germans, who had never been able to take -the village, attacked with a fresh division of picked troops (IInd -Bavarians), which had taken part in the summer campaign in Galicia and -Poland with Mackensen’s forces. The attack succeeded, with the help of -liquid fire. A French counter-attack on the 29th by the 210th R.I., and -a battalion of the 157th, recaptured the wood and the redoubt known -as the “Réduit d’Avocourt,” situated on its S. edge. The attacking -troops, which had not been revictualled for four days, had finished -their reserve rations twelve hours previously. So fatigued were they -that they slept standing despite the bombardment. To rouse them, their -chiefs, at 3 a.m. next morning, ordered the buglers and drummers to -play. As the day was breaking the music suddenly stopped, a shell -having buried all save one drummer. Furious at this, the men, with the -drummer at their head, rushed forward, and by 8 a.m. the wood had been -entirely reconquered. - -[Illustration: SITE OF AVOCOURT VILLAGE IN NOVEMBER, 1918.] - -In 1917, hard fighting continued in this region with varying fortune. -Powerful German attacks gave the enemy a little ground between Avocourt -and Hill 304, and in Avocourt Wood. On August 20th, the French 25th -D.I. drove the enemy from the S. part of the wood, advancing 1,200 -yards and capturing 750 prisoners, thirty machine guns and ten trench -mortars. - -[Illustration: MALANCOURT WOOD IN 1916, _seen from the French lines. -The sandbags mark the German lines._] - -On September 26th, 1918, the wood was entirely cleared of the enemy by -the First American Army. - -=Malancourt Wood.=—It was against a French trench, in this wood that on -February 26th, 1915, the Germans made use of =liquid fire for the first -time=, special pumps, operated by pioneers of the Guard, being employed. - - - VII.—Avocourt to Aubréville - -_From Avocourt take the road which follows the small valley running -southwards (see Itinerary, pp. 88 and 89). It was on this road, hidden -from the view of the enemy, that the French concentrations were carried -out in the rear lines._ - -_Two kilometers from Avocourt, take on the left the road leading to -Hesse Wood, scene of all sorts of concentrations, posts of commandment, -dressing stations, batteries of artillery, depots, etc._ - -_This road is in good condition almost as far as Aubréville, with -the exception of two or three places on leaving Hesse Wood, beyond -Bertrame’s Farm._ - - - VIII.—From Aubréville to Verdun - -_On entering Aubréville, take on the left N. 46 which skirts the St. -Menehould-Verdun railway._ - -_The tourist passes through Parois and Récicourt, where numerous -cantonments and rest camps were installed for the relief of the troops._ - -_Dombasle, where a large munitions depot blew up, is next reached._ - -_From Dombasle one of two Itineraries may be chosen to return to -Verdun._ - -_The first, by continuing to follow the National Road, via Blercourt._ - -_The second, which follows the crests dominating N. 3 from Paris to -Metz._ - -_For the second Itinerary, on leaving Dombasle, take the small road on -the left, which leads to Sivry-la-Perche, 4 kilometers distant._ - -N. of the latter village, at the N.E. extremity of Hill 357, there -still exists an observation-post, from which there is a general view of -the entire rear-ground of the battlefield W. of Verdun. - -If it is desired to visit this observation-post before the descent -leading to Sivry-la-Perche, take the Béthelainville road on the left -for about 700 yards going thence on foot to the right in a N.E. -direction. The observation post is about half-a mile further on. - -From Sivry-la-Perche continue along the road, which passes first on -the left of =Sartelles Fort= and then to the left of =Chaume Fort=. -These two forts only played a minor role in the battle of Verdun, and -suffered but slightly from the bombardments. In front of Chaume Fort -there was an observation post for heavy artillery, whence there is a -splendid view of the Meuse Valley. - -_From Chaume Fort the road is rather steep and in bad condition. Going -down on the left and flanking a hill is_ Glorieux Cemetery, near the -evacuation hospital. - -_Verdun is entered by the Porte-de-France._ - -[Illustration: IN THE RUINS OF VERDUN.] - - - - - CONTENTS - - PAGES - =Plan of Verdun= (2 colours) between 30–31 - - =Map of Verdun= (black) ” 56–57 - - =Origin and Political History= 2 - - =Chief Military Events= 3 - - =The Great War (1914–1918)—General Considerations= 4 to 7 - - =The Battle of Verdun= 8 to 30 - =The German Offensive, Feb.–Aug., 1916= 10 to 18 - = ” French Counter-Offensive, Oct.–Dec., 1916, - to Aug., 1917= 19 to 23 - = ” American Offensive, Sept. 26th, 1918= 24 - = ” Franco-American Offensive, Oct., 1918= 25 to 27 - =Conclusion= 28 to 30 - - =A Visit to the City of Verdun= 31 to 56 - =The Cathedral= 42 to 48 - = ” Citadelle= 52 to 54 - - =A Visit to the Battlefield= 57 to 111 - =1st Itinerary: The Right Bank of the Meuse= 57 to 87 - =2nd ” ” Left ” ” ” = 88 to 111 - -[Illustration: REFUGEES FROM VERDUN DISTRICT PASSING THROUGH SOUILLY -ALONG THE “SACRED WAY.”] - - - PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED. - LONDON - - XIV.-2120-7-19-25 - - - - - THE “TOURING CLUB DE FRANCE.” - - - If you are _not_ a Member - of the Touring Club de France: - -Join to-day. 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In historic and pre-historic memories, it is one of the richest -lands in the world. - -The hinterland of Brittany consists of uplands broken by ravines, of -low undulating hills, moors, rich pastures, living waters and crags. - -The coastline, broken with innumerable capes, creeks, gulfs and -estuaries, is of unparalleled picturesqueness. - -Among the principal places of interest to tourists are the following: -Cancale Bay and Grouin Point, the roadstead of St. Malo and estuary of -the Rance, Cape Fréhel, St. Brieuc Bay, Bréhat Island, Ploumanach and -Trégastel Cliffs, Primel Point, the estuary of the de Morlaix river, -Roscoff and Batz Island, the Brignognan and Aber-Wrach Crags, -St. Matthew’s Point and Brest Harbour. - -Further south are the Morgat Caves, Bay of Douarnenez, Raz Point, -Penmarch Cliffs, Gulf of Vannes, etc. - -Numerous ancient fortified cities, whereof: Vitré, Fougères, St. Malo, -Dinan, Morlaix, Carhaix, Quimper, Concarneau, Pontivy and Vannes are of -especial interest, and old-time châteaux, churches and cathedrals lie -scattered over the land. - -The three principal “Calvaries,” of which there are many, are in the -“Département” of Finistère, at Trégonnec, Guimiliau and Plougastel. - -Numerous “menhirs” and “dolmens,” of which the most celebrated -are at Carnac and Lochmariaquer, offer particular interest to the -archaeologist and historian. - - ALL INQUIRIES WITH REGARD TO TRAVELLING SHOULD BE ADDRESSED - TO THE “TOURING CLUB DE FRANCE,” - 65, Avenue de la Grande Armée, 65 - PARIS. - - - - - MICHELIN TOURING OFFICES - - - MICHELIN TYRE CO., LTD., LONDON - Touring Office :: 81, Fulham Road, S.W. - - MICHELIN & CIE, CLERMONT-FERRAND - Touring Office :: 99, Bd. Péreire, PARIS - - [Illustration] - - _Why ask the Way, when …_ - - [Illustration] - - … _Michelin will tell you free of charge?_ - - Drop a line, ring us up, or call at one of our - Touring Offices and you will receive a carefully - worked out description of the route to follow. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Verdun and the Battle for its -Possession, by Michelin & Cie - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VERDUN AND THE BATTLE FOR *** - -***** This file should be named 53408-0.txt or 53408-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/4/0/53408/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, David Tipple and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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- margin-top: -0.5em; - width: 70%; - margin-left: 15%; - margin-right: 15%; -} - -.subcap1 { - font-weight: normal; - font-size: 90%; - margin-top: -0.5em; - text-indent: 0em; - text-align: center; -} - -.subcap2 { - font-weight: normal; - font-size: 90%; - text-indent: 0em; - text-align: center; -} - -.subcap3 { - font-weight: normal; - font-size: 90%; - margin-top: 0.5em; - width: 70%; - margin-left: 15%; - margin-right: 15%; -} - -.subcap4 { - font-weight: normal; - font-size: 90%; - margin-top: 0.25em; - margin-bottom: 0.25em; - width: 80%; - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -.subcap5 { - font-weight: normal; - font-size: 75%; - margin-top: 0.25em; - margin-bottom: 0.25em; - width: 80%; - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -.figcenter { - margin-top: 1.5em; - margin-bottom: 1.5em; - text-indent: 0em; - text-align: center; - } - -img { - max-width: 95%; - height: auto; - padding: 0px; - border: 3px solid black; -} - -img.fan { - border: 0px solid white; - margin-top: 0em; - margin-bottom: -0.5em; - width: 2em; -} - -img.noborder { - border: 0px solid white; -} - -img.double { - border: 8px double black; -} - -/* Table of Contents */ - -table { - width: 90%; - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 5%; -} - -.citem { - font-weight: bold; - text-align: left; - text-indent: 0em; - font-family: sans-serif, serif; -} - -.subitem { - font-weight: bold; - text-align: left; - text-indent: 0em; - font-family: sans-serif, serif; - padding-left: 2em; -} - -.subsubitem { - font-weight: bold; - text-align: left; - text-indent: 0em; - font-family: sans-serif, serif; - padding-left: 4.5em; -} - -.page { - text-align: right; -} - -.subpage { - text-align: right; - padding-right: 1em; - } - -/* Table of Illustrations */ - -.tabtitle { - text-indent: 0em; - text-align: center; - font-size: 120%; - margin-top: 1.5em; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; -} - -table.illns { - width: 90%; - margin-left: 5%; - margin-bottom: 2em; -} - -td.figno { - width:4em; - text-align: right; - padding-left: 0em; - text-indent: 0em; - padding-right: 0.5em; - vertical-align: top; - padding-top: 0.5em; - padding-bottom: 0.25em; -} - - -td.figcap { - text-align: left; - padding-left: 0em; - padding-right: 0.5em; - vertical-align: top; - padding-top: 0.5em; - padding-bottom: 0.25em; -} - -/* Page breaks for Epub */ - -div.pagebreak { - page-break-before: always; -} - -.nobreak { - page-break-before: avoid; -} - -/********************************************************************** - END of CSS RULES -**********************************************************************/ - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Verdun and the Battle for its Possession, by -Michelin & Cie - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Verdun and the Battle for its Possession - Illustrated Michelin Guides to the Battle-Fields (1914 1918) - -Author: Michelin & Cie - -Release Date: October 30, 2016 [EBook #53408] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VERDUN AND THE BATTLE FOR *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, David Tipple and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<!-- TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES --> - -<div class="transnotes"> -<p> - Transcriber’s Notes -</p> -<ul> -<li class="lspace"> -A small number of obvious typos have been corrected by the addition of -a missing accent. For example, “Prefecture” and “Eglise” have been -changed to “Préfecture” and “Église”, respectively. Except for this, -the spelling and punctuation of the book have not been changed. -</li> - -<li class="lspace">There are six two-page maps in the source book. In -this ebook the image of each of these maps has a double border and is -followed by larger images of its left-hand and right-hand pages.</li> - -<li class="lspace">If you are reading the HTML version of this book -then clicking on a two-page map will open a larger image of it.</li> - -<li class="lspace">In the source book some photographs are placed side -by side on opposing pages to form a panorama. In this ebook they are -shown side by side in a single figure so you can see the panoramic -view. Each of these photographs is also shown on its own so that some -details that are obscure in the panorama figure can be seen more -easily.</li> - -<li class="lspace">The table of contents in the book appears on the -last page of the text as it does in this ebook. Here is a link to -it: <a href="#contents">Contents</a>. -</li> - -<li class="lspace">An appendix, not found in the book, has been added -to this ebook: it lists all the photographs and maps in the book with a -link to each of them. </li> - -<li class="lspace">Any item in the appendix or any caption of an -illustration that is enclosed in square brackets has been added by the -transcriber and does not appear in the source book. -</li> - -<li class="lspace"> -Near the beginning of the chapter entitled <b>THE WAR OF 1914–18</b> -there is a reference to -<p class="center"> -“<b>The Battle of the Marne</b>,” part III., “<i>The Revigny -Pass</i>”.</p> This is another Michelin guide but it is <i>not</i> the -one that has been posted to the Gutenberg site. If you are interested, -see this book on <b>archive.org</b>—Battlefields of the -World War, Vol I. Part III is on pages 215–289. See: -https://archive.org/details/michelinguidetob00mill. -</li> -</ul> -</div> - -<!-- END OF TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES --> - -<div class="pagebreak"> -<h1>ILLUSTRATED MICHELIN GUIDES<br /> -TO THE BATTLE-FIELDS (1914–1918)</h1> -</div> - -<hr class="title" /> - -<p class="subtitle">VERDUN</p> - -<p class="subtitle2">AND THE BATTLES FOR ITS POSSESSION.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fpc"> - <img class="noborder" - alt="Helmet" src="images/helmet.jpg" /> -</div> - -<p class="michelins">MICHELIN &. - C<span class="sup1">IE</span> — CLERMONT-FERRAND.<br /> - - MICHELIN TYRE C<span class="sup1">O</span> L<span class="sup1">TD</span> — 81, - Fulham Road, LONDON, S.W.<br /> - - MICHELIN TIRE C<span class="sup1">O</span> — MILLTOWN, N.J., U.S.A.</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<!-- FIRST ADVERTISEMENT --> - -<div class="advert"> - -<p class="advtitle1">VERDUN</p> - -<p class="advsubtitle1">HOTELS AND MOTOR AGENTS.<br /> -<i>On June 1, 1919.</i></p> - -<p class="center advsmall">Information extracted from the - <i>Michelin Tourist Guide (1919)</i>.</p> - - <hr class="adv1"/> - -<p class="center advmargin1">Hostellerie du Coq Hardi, 8 Rue du St. Esprit<br /> -<span class="advsmall">(between the Rue Mazel and the Meuse)</span>.</p> - -<p class="center">Hôtel du Lion d’Or, Place Saint Paul<br /> -<span class="advsmall">(Opposite the Sub-Préfecture)</span>.</p> - -<hr class="adv1"/> - -<div class="blockquote"> -<p class="noindent">The “Comité du Ravitaillement des Réfugies,” whose -headquarters are at the “Collège,” Rue St. Paul (see <i>Guide</i>, <a -href="#Page_31">p. 31</a> and <a href="#Page_33">33</a>), has -installed a refectory and dormitory in the “Collège.” The “Comité” -supplies tourists with the addresses of private persons who let -rooms.</p> - -<p>The resources of the region around Verdun, described in the -itineraries (<a href="#Page_57">p. 57</a> and <a -href="#Page_88">88</a>), are absolutely nil. Tourists are therefore -advised to provide themselves with Luncheon Baskets.</p></div> - -<p class="advsubtl2">MOTOR AGENTS.</p> - -<p class="center">Grand Garage Central Rochette, 22 rue de la -Rivière, Agent for Peugeot. Inspection pit. Petrol -(Gasolene). Telephone No 50. -</p> - -<hr class="adv1 full" /> - -<p>The above information may no longer be exact when it -meets the reader’s eye. Tourists are therefore recommended -to consult the Michelin Touring Office.</p> - -<hr class="adv1 full" /> - -<p class="center">Before setting out on a motoring tour, whether in -the British Isles or abroad, call or write to:</p> - -<div class="advbox1"><img class="advimg1" alt="michelin man" -src="images/fig001_left.jpg" /></div> - -<div class="advbox2"> -<p class="advsubtl2">THE MICHELIN<br /> -TOURING OFFICE</p> -<p class="center">81, Fulham Rd., London,<br /> -——S.W. 3.—— -</p></div> - -<div class="advbox3"><img class="advimg1" alt="michelin man" - src="images/fig001_right.jpg" /></div> - -<p class="noindent">who will be pleased to furnish all desired -information and a carefully worked-out itinerary of the route to be -followed, free of charge.</p> -</div> - -<!-- SECOND ADVERTISEMENT --> - -<div class="advert"> - -<div class="advfrance"> -<p class="advmaps">The MICHELIN MAPS</p> - -<p class="advmaps1">Invaluable to Motorists and Tourists.</p> - -<p class="advtitle1">FRANCE.</p> - -<p class="center">(<i>Scale — 1:200,000</i>)</p> - -<p class="frpub"> -Published in 47 Sections.<br /> -Beautifully printed in<br /> -Five Colours. -</p> -</div> - -<p> </p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img class="noborder" alt="folded map" src="images/fig002.png" /></div> - -<div class="advbritish"> -<p class="advtitle1">The<br />BRITISH<br /> -ISLES.</p> - -<p class="advsubtitle1"> -(<i>Scale 3·15 miles to the inch.</i>)</p> -</div> - -<div class="advprices"> -<p class="left">Published in 31 Sections. Beautifully -engraved and printed in six colours.</p> - -<p class="mapsprice">Price of Maps (English or French) per Section:</p> - -<table summary="map prices"> - <tr> - <td>On Paper</td> <td> — </td> <td>1/-</td> <td>or post free</td> - <td>1/1½</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>On Canvas</td> <td> — </td> <td>2/-</td> <td>or post free</td> - <td>2/2</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class="maps1" /> - -<hr class="maps2" /> - -<p class="noindent">MICHELIN TYRE CO., 81, Fulham Rd., S.W.3</p> -</div> -</div> - -<!-- THIRD ADVERTISEMENT --> - -<div class="advert"> - -<p class="advmaps">THE BEST & CHEAPEST -DETACHABLE WHEEL</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig003"> -<img class="noborder" alt="Car on Rough Ground" - src="images/fig003.jpg" /> -</div> -<div class="wheelcaption">The Michelin Wheel is practical and strong</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig004"> -<img class="noborder" alt="Car near House" - src="images/fig004.jpg" /> -</div> -<div class="wheelcaption">The Michelin Wheel is simple and smart</div> -</div> - -<!-- END OF FRONT MATTER ADVERTISEMENTS --> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<!-- BATTLE TITLE PAGE --> - -<div class="tribute pagebreak"> -IN MEMORY<br /> -OF THE MICHELIN EMPLOYEES<br /> -AND WORKMEN WHO DIED GLORIOUSLY<br /> -FOR THEIR COUNTRY -</div> - -<p class="title2">THE BATTLE OF<br /> -<span class="large1">VERDUN</span><br /> -(1914–1918)</p> - -<p class="published">Published by<br /> -<span class="large2">MICHELIN & Cie</span><br /> -Clermont-Ferrand, France</p> - -<hr class="vsmall" /> - -<p class="center">Copyright 1919 by Michelin & Cie</p> - -<hr class="vsmall" /> - -<p class="center"><i>All rights of translation, adaptation, - or reproduction<br /> (in part or whole) reserved in all countries</i> -</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="pagebreak"> -<div class="figcenter" id="fig005"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig005.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">VERDUN BURNING IN 1916 DURING BOMBARDMENT WITH -INCENDIARY SHELLS.</div> -</div></div> - -<h2>VERDUN</h2> - -<h3>ORIGIN AND POLITICAL HISTORY</h3> - -<p><b>Verdun</b>, one of France’s most ancient cities, was first a -Gallic, then under the name of “Virodunum Castrum,” a Roman fortress. -In 843 the celebrated treaty which divided the Carolingian Empire and -annexed Verdun to the Kingdom of Lorraine was signed there. From 870 to -879 Verdun became part of France, but in 923 it was incorporated in the -German Empire. As a county, it was governed under the feudal system by -the hereditary counts, the last of whom was Godefroy de Bouillon, and -later by the episcopal counts and bishops.</p> - -<p>In the 10th century, Bishop Haimont, of Verdun, persuaded the Count of -Verdun to transfer his rights to him. The arrangement was confirmed by -Emperor Othon III., but the count’s heirs disputed the bishops’ title to the -town. Later, the burgesses revolted against the authority of the bishops, -and after a sanguinary struggle succeeded in throwing off their yoke about -the middle of the 13th century. After a long occupation by the Germans, -Henri II., King of France, retook Verdun in 1552 and granted it privileges -which were confirmed by François II. in 1559. During the Religious Wars, -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> -the town was for the Leaguers, and only agreed to receive Henry IV.’s envoy, -after that prince’s conversion to the Roman Faith. The burgesses did not -take the oath of allegiance to the King of France until 1601.</p> - - -<h3>CHIEF MILITARY EVENTS</h3> - -<p>Both in respect of its geographical position and history, Verdun is -a typical fortified town. From time immemorial it has played an -important part in resisting invasion, as witness its fortified camp and -citadel. Since 1870 it has been the centre of an essential position -formed by a rough hemi-cycle of hills and slopes bristling with -defensive works and batteries.</p> - -<p>Since the year 450, when Attila left it “like a field ravaged by -wild beasts,” it has been besieged at least ten times.</p> - -<p>Charles Quint besieged and took it in 1544, but after a seven years’ -occupation it was retaken by Henry II. of France in 1552. The Huguenots -tried to take it by surprise in 1589, but were unable to overcome the -resistance of the burgesses.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><b>Siege of 1792.</b>—In 1792, the Prussians attacked and bombarded -the town, defended by Beaurepaire with only thirty-two guns and -forty-four artillerymen. The Council of Defence, urged thereto by the -Anti-Republican section of the population, decided to capitulate, in -spite of opposition on the part of Beaurepaire, who died suddenly soon -afterwards at the Town Hall by his own hand, according to some, others -holding that he was assassinated. The Prussians occupied the town for -six weeks, after the garrison had left. Although it is true that a few -women went to the Camp of Bras with an offering of sweetmeats for the -King of Prussia, it has not been established that the latter gave a -ball at Regret, at which the women of Verdun danced. The victory of -Valmy forced the Prussians to leave Verdun. On October 13th Kellermann -took possession of the Citadel, and on the 14th the troops of the -Republic entered the town. Several of the visitors to the Camp of Bras -expiated their regrettable act on the scaffold.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><b>Siege of 1870.</b>—In 1870, Verdun offered a more stubborn -resistance. When the Saxon troops, about 10,000 in number, appeared to -the east of the town, the garrison of the latter comprised only 1,500 -regular troops, including fifty artillerymen, 2,000 “mobiles” (newly -levied men) and 1,400 men of the National Sedentary Guard, while its -armament consisted of twenty mortars, two howitzers and ninety-six -guns, of which only forty-six were rifled. Under the command of General -Guérin de Waldersbach, seconded by General Marmier, this small garrison -repulsed an attack on August 24th, and refused to surrender. After -being reinforced by 2,600 men who had escaped from Sedan, several -sallies were made. By September 23rd the enemy had completely encircled -the town, and were forcing the inhabitants of the surrounding villages -to help with the siege-works. On the night of October 19th thirty -sappers, twenty-five artillerymen and 100 foot soldiers surprised the -two German batteries on Heyvaux Hill, between Thierville and Regret, on -the left bank, and after hand-to-hand fighting, spiked all the -guns.</p> - -<p>After the fall of Metz, Verdun, besieged by 15,000 men with 140 -heavy guns, in addition to field artillery, surrendered on November 8th -with the honours of war.</p> - -<p>The town had been bombarded three times. On August 24th it received -about 2,000 shells; on September 26th the Citadel received 1,000 to 1,200 -shells in five hours; on October 13th, 14th and 15th 20,000 to 25,000 shells -fell in the town, severely damaging the upper part and the Citadel.</p> -<p>The name of the German Prefect who governed Verdun and the Meuse -province was Von Bethmann Hollweg.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> - -<h3>THE WAR OF 1914–1918</h3> - -<p>Abbreviations: Q.G., <i>General Headquarters</i>; P.C., <i>Post of -Commandment</i>.</p> - -<p><b>German</b> army corps are indicated by Roman figures followed by -the letters “C” for the <i>active</i> and “R.C.” for the -<i>reserve</i>.</p> - -<p><b>French</b> army corps are indicated by arabic figures followed by -the letters “C.A.”</p> - -<p><b>German</b> infantry divisions are indicated by their number -followed by the letters “D” for the <i>active</i>, “R.D.” for the -<i>reserve</i>, “D.L.” for the “<i>Landwehr</i>,” and “E.D.” for the -“<i>Ersatz</i>.”</p> - -<p><b>French</b> infantry divisions are indicated by their number -followed by the letters “D.I.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Verdun played an essential part in the great war.</p> - -<p>In 1914, during the battle of the Marne, the army under General -Sarrail, resting on Verdun, formed the pivot for Marshal Joffre’s -manœuvre (<i>see the Michelin Guide</i>: “<b>The Battle of the -Marne</b>,” part III.,“<i>The Revigny Pass</i>”).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map001"> -<img alt="" src="images/map001.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">VERDUN—PIVOT OF THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE.</div> -</div> - -<p>After the battle of the Marne, the Crown Prince established his -positions of resistance north of the fortress, on the line -Malancourt—Brabant—Haumont—Maucourt. On September 15th, General -Sarrail slipped in from this side the 6th C.A. and 72nd R.D., which -were sent beyond the advance forts. The enemy sought to isolate and -approach Verdun at the same time. The combats which occurred -successively on the initiative of each side were indecisive on the -north, but not on the S.E.</p> - -<p>On September 20th the IIIrd Bavarian Corps attacked the 75th R.D. at -Vigneuilles-les-Hatton châtel, and after forcing it to retreat, reached -the Meuse Heights. The 6th Corps was hastily transferred to this -region, where it checked the German advance. Further to the right, at -St. Mihiel, the enemy succeeded on the 25th in forcing the passage of -the Meuse and occupied Chauvoncourt.</p> - -<p>During October, November and December, the adversaries harassed one -another without intermission. In the vicinity of St. Mihiel the enemy -maintained their positions on the left bank of the river.</p> - -<p>So far from besieging Verdun, as the <i>Wolff News Agency</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> -falsely announced, or entering it, as a postcard circulated throughout -Germany, entitled “<i>Combats in the streets of Verdun,</i>” tried to -make believe, the Crown Prince was held in check on the general line -Vauquois—Malancourt—Brabant—Bois‍ ‍des‍ ‍Caures—Ornes—Fromezey—Hennemont—Combres—Lamorville—Spada—Chauvoncourt. -These positions were but slightly modified up to the time of the big -attack in February, 1916.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map002"> -<img alt="" src="images/map002.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE VERDUN FRONT, FROM THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE UNTIL -THE GREAT<br /> GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p>In February, 1915, the city was bombed by aeroplanes, while the -forts of Douaumont and Vaux were shelled by heavy artillery, including -17-inch guns. The Eparges crest, stubbornly held by the enemy since -September, 1914, was definitely taken on April 6th by the 12th D.I. -after more than a month of the fiercest fighting. This brilliant action -was followed by violent counter-attacks by the Vth German corps, the -combats being particularly furious on April 24th and May 5th, after -which the fighting was less desperate.</p> - -<p>On November 25th–26th the enemy attacked to the N.W. -of the city, but despite the liberal use of poison gas, they failed to -reach the French lines.</p> - -<p>Further attacks by the Germans against Forges on January 12th and at -Caures Wood on February 12th, 1916, were unsuccessful.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map003"> - <a href="images/map003_full.jpg"> - <img class="double" src="images/map003_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" /></a> - - <div class="caption">PLAN OF THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE OF FEBRUARY, 1916.</div> - - <p class="subcapit">“Concentrate an all-powerful artillery, cut - with gun-fire the only main railway connecting Verdun with France, - crush the French defences, isolating their occupants with heavy - artillery barrages, then rush the town with huge masses of men, - irrespective of losses, crushing the last vestiges of - resistance,”—such was the “kolossal” plan which the Germans set - out to execute on February 21st, 1916.</p> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map003L"> -<img alt="" src="images/map003_left.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The left-hand side of the plan above]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map003R"> -<img alt="" src="images/map003_right.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The right-hand side of the plan above]</div> -</div> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - -<h3>THE BATTLE OF VERDUN</h3> - -<p>A battle which was destined to last much longer than the entire -Franco-German war of 1870–1871, and which absorbed the efforts of -Germany throughout the year, began on February 21st, 1916.</p> - -<p>The choice of this battlefield was perhaps less paradoxical than has -been said. For the German High Command to take Verdun was to crush the -French right, capture an important strategical position and secure an -immense moral effect. Moreover, the enemy feared an Allied offensive -and was disturbed by the continued increase of their strength in men -and material. To forestall this offensive was to make it fail and keep -the initiative of the operations. Moreover, the Germans desired to -impress the public opinion of the world, which had begun to doubt their -ultimate victory. Greece and Roumania seemed inclined to abandon their -neutrality, and the time appeared ripe to prove by a crushing blow that -German force had not diminished. Lastly, they were influenced by home -political considerations; the rationing of the population had depressed -the public <i>morale</i> and provoked dissension between the political -parties and the states; the prestige of the Crown Prince, after his -failure in the Argonne, had considerably declined; a great victory was -necessary to strengthen German <i>morale</i>, appease dissension and, -by rehabilitating the Crown Prince, enhance the prestige of the -Imperial family.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig006"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig006.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">GENERALS JOFFRE AND PÉTAIN AT THE G.H.Q. OF THE 2ND -FRENCH ARMY AT<br />SOUILLY, IN FEBRUARY, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p>The Germans, who had fourteen railways at their disposal, and who, -during a long and careful preparation, had concentrated seven army corps -and extraordinarily powerful artillery, comprising at least 3,000 guns of all -calibres, attacked the French, who had a river in their rear and whose one -solitary broad-gauge railway was under enemy gun-fire. By sacrificing -men and material on a lavish scale the enemy counted on rapidly -overcoming all obstacles, level the French trenches, crush the centres -of resistance under a deluge of 17-inch, 15-inch and 12-inch shells, -isolate them with barrage fire from 8-inch guns and poison-gas shells, -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> -and occupy the destroyed positions—such were to be the German tactics. -They were so sure, by repeated smashing blows, of breaking through -between Bras and Douaumont, and, by their attack on Verdun, of forcing -the French to withdraw their wings, that they neglected first to attack -the French positions on the left bank and in the Woevre plain, with the -result that their colossal effort broke down before the tenacious -resistance and heroism of the French.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map004"> -<img alt="" src="images/map004.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE “SACRED WAY,” AND THE NARROW-GAUGE MEUSE RAILWAY.</div> -<p class="subcapit"> -In February, 1916, only one broad-gauge railway connected -Verdun, via St. Menehould, with the rest of France. At the outset of -the offensive it was cut by enemy gun-fire between Parois and -Dombasle. There remained the narrow-gauge Meuse railway and the road. -The carrying capacity of the former was increased to 2,000 tons per -day, while the motor service along the “Sacred Way” was organised to -such a pitch that it was able to ensure the transport of the troops, -the evacuation of the wounded and the revictualling of 250,000 -combatants. -</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE</h3> - -<p class="h3sub">February–August, 1916</p> - -<h4>1.—The Central Attack</h4> - -<p>At the beginning of the battle, the first French lines were <i>on -the left bank</i>, from Avocourt Wood to Forges, <i>via</i> the slopes -in front of Malancourt and Béthincourt; <i>on the right bank</i>, from -Brabant-sur-Meuse to Fromézey, <i>via</i> Haumont, Haumont Wood, Caures -Wood, La Ville Wood, Herbébois, Ornes and Maucourt. On the morning of -February 21st and simultaneously with a bombardment of the entire -French front, the enemy began the systematic shelling of Verdun, whose -last residents were evacuated on the 25th at noon.</p> - -<p>The infantry attacked at 4.45 p.m. from Haumont Wood to Ornes. The -51st and 72nd divisions sustained the first shock of the IIIrd and -XVIIIth C.A. and the XIIIth division of the VIIth R.C. A heroic combat -followed the most formidable artillery preparation ever known till -then. In Caures Wood the Chasseurs, under <i>Colonel Driant</i>, -resisted foot by foot. When night fell, the enemy’s progress was -insignificant, compared with his sacrifices. However, they succeeded in -taking Haumont Wood.</p> - -<p>On the 22nd the bombardment was resumed with, if possible, greater -intensity. In Caures Wood <i>Colonel Driant</i> resisted until death -overtook him, having first evacuated his Chasseurs to Beaumont. -Meanwhile, the sectors of Woevre and the left bank of the Meuse were -violently shelled.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map005"> -<img alt="" src="images/map005.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CENTRAL ATTACK.</div> -<p class="subcap1 italic">This attack (February 21st–26th), on the -right bank of the Meuse, shortened the enemy’s front as progressed. It -came to a stop on the sixth day at Poivre Hill and Douaumont.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> - -<p>The fighting on the 23rd was even more furious. Brabant fell into -the hands of the enemy after a fierce resistance by the 351st I.D., -which clung desperately to the ruins of Samogneux until nightfall. -Further east the battle raged fiercely. The French counter-attacked -unsuccessfully at Caures Wood and were attacked at Herbebois. The 51st -I.D. fell back, making the enemy pay dearly for his progress towards -Fosses Wood.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map006"> -<img alt="Attack on 21 Februarj 1919." - src="images/map006.jpg" /> -</div> - -<p>In the evening the front extended along the Samogneux—Beaumont—Ornes -line. Samogneux was captured by the enemy during the night. The -situation was very critical.</p> - -<p>Exasperated at the resistance of the French, and having received reinforcements, -the Germans made a supreme effort on the 24th. Although -harassed by French artillery on the left bank of the Meuse, they succeeded in -taking Hill 344 to the east of Samogneux, Fosses Wood, Chaume Wood and -the village of Ornes. French reinforcements arrived the same day, and the -command of the army of Verdun passed from General de Castelnau to General -Pétain.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig007"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig007.jpg" /> -<div class="caption"><i>Starting-point of the German Attack of February -21st, North of Haumont Wood.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>On the 25th, the 37th I.D., with orders to defend Talou Hill and -Louvemont village, resisted for a long time against incredibly furious -attacks, but on their right the enemy succeeded in capturing Vauche -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> -Wood and, advancing towards Douaumont, carried the fort by surprise. -However, their efforts to take the village failed before the heroic -tenacity of the 31st Brigade, while the 94th D.I. covered itself with -glory. The enemy advance from this side, had the effect of compelling -the 31st I.D. to abandon Talou Hill. During this time the line in -Woevre was, unknown to the Germans, voluntarily withdrawn to the foot -of the Meuse hills, where the French only retained outposts at Fresnes -and Manheulles.</p> - -<p>Taking over the command on the night of the 25th, General Pétain at -once divided the battle-line into four sectors, officered as follows: -<i>General Bazelaire</i>, on the left bank, from Avocourt to the river; -<i>General Guillaumat</i>, from the Meuse to Douaumont; <i>General -Balfourier</i>, from this point to the Woevre; <i>General Duchesne</i>, -on the Meuse Heights.</p> - -<p>There were no trenches, but he ordered that the forts should at -least be connected by a continuous line of entrenchments to be made -while the battle was at its height and which the “poilus,” in their -disdain for the shovel and pick, called the “Panic Line.” The entire -59th division was told off to organise the counter slopes on the second -and third lines. Thirteen battalions kept in repair the road from -Bar-le-Duc to Verdun, <i>via</i> Souilly (the <b>“Sacred Way”</b>), -which eventually became the main artery for revictualling the place in -men and munitions, and along which 1,700 motor lorries passed each way -daily. Lastly, General Pétain managed to imbue all under his command -with his energy, activity and faith, and the enemy’s drive was -stopped.</p> - -<p>On the 26th, the 39th D.I., which had relieved the 37th, -victoriously repulsed all attacks on Poivre Hill, while the 31st -Brigade continued to hold Douaumont until relieved in the evening by -the 2nd D.I.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig008"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig008.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE RELIEF BY MOTOR-LORRIES.</div> -<p class="subcapit center">Regiment leaving Nixéville in - lorries for the rear.</p> -</div> - -<p>On the following days the fighting continued about and in the -streets of Douaumont, which the enemy finally captured on March 4th. -The Germans now began to show signs of weakening. Their effort on the -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> -right bank had failed. Checked at Douaumont, they were taken in the -rear by the French positions on the left bank, and were obliged to -modify their plans. From that time they operated simultaneously or -successively on both banks.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig009"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig009.jpg" /> -<div class="caption"><i>Mort-Homme and Hill 287 in May, 1916.</i></div> -</div> - -<h4>2.—The General Attack</h4> - -<p class="h4sub">(<i>See <a href="#map007">map, pp. 14 and 15</a></i>)</p> - -<p>On March 6th two German divisions attacked from Béthincourt to -Forges, where the French front was held by the 67th D.I., and -succeeded in taking Forges and Regnéville, but were checked by the -positions on Oie Hill. Continuing their advance on the 7th, they -succeeded in capturing these positions, as well as Corbeaux Wood. The -village of Cumières was the scene of terrible fighting, but remained -in the hands of the French, while further to the west the enemy’s -attacks broke down at Mort-Homme.</p> - -<p>On March 8th, while on the left bank, French troops retook Corbeaux -Wood, the Germans brought into line units of five army corps and began -a general attack, which failed with very heavy losses, their only gain -being the capture of part of Vaux village.</p> - -<p>On the 9th they succeeded in getting a footing on the slopes of -Mort-Homme, but at the other end of the battle-line their attack on -Vaux Fort failed. Their radiograms announcing the capture of the fort -were untrue.</p> - -<p>On the 10th, Corbeaux Wood was taken by the Germans and the French -withdrew to the line Béthincourt, Mort-Homme, south of Corbeaux and -Cumières Wood and Cumières village. The battle continued in the -village and in front of Vaux Fort, strongly held by the French. The -enemy temporarily ceased his massed attacks. In reality their -offensive had failed, while their losses in men and munitions had been -exceptionally heavy. On March 10th Joffre was able to say to the -soldiers of Verdun: “<i>For three weeks you have withstood the most -formidable attack which the enemy has yet made. Germany counted on the -success of this effort, which she believed would prove irresistible, -and for which she used her best troops and most powerful -artillery. She hoped by the capture of Verdun to strengthen the -courage of her Allies and convince neutrals of German superiority. But -she reckoned without you! The eyes of the country are on you. You -belong to those of whom it will be said: ‘They barred the road to -Verdun.’</i> ”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map007"> -<a href="images/map007_full.png"> - <img class="double" alt="" src="images/map007_thumbnail.jpg" /></a> - <div class="caption">THE GERMAN GENERAL ATTACK ON BOTH BANKS OF THE MEUSE.</div> - <p class="noindent italic smaller">The Central Attack which was to -capture Verdun and force back the French wings failed. The Germans, -caught on the flank by French artillery posted on the left bank of the -Meuse, attacked alternately on both sides of the river. The struggle -continued desperately at Mort-Homme, Hill 304, Cumières, Fleury, and as -far as the approaches of Souville Fort—extreme limit of the German -Advance in June, 1916.</p> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map007L"> -<img alt="" src="images/map007_left.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The left-hand side of the two-page map above]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map007R"> -<img alt="" src="images/map007_right.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The right-hand side of the two-page map above]</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig010"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig010.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">GENERAL PÉTAIN’S ORDER OF THE DAY - (<span class="italic smaller">see translation below</span>).</div> -</div> - -<p>From March 11th to April 9th the aspect of the battle changed. Wide -front attacks gave place to local actions, short, violent and limited in scope. -On March 14th the Germans captured Hill 265, forming the western portion -of the Mort-Homme position, from the 75th French Brigade, whose commander -Colonel Garçon, fell, rifle in hand, but they failed to take the eastern part, Hill -295. On the 20th, Avocourt and Malancourt Woods fell to the Bavarians, -and after a fierce struggle the village of Malancourt was lost on March 31st, -Haucourt on April 5th, and Béthincourt on April 8th.</p> - -<p>On the right bank, after powerful attacks near Vaux, the enemy reached -Caillette Wood and the Vaux-Fleury railway, only to be driven back by the -5th division (Mangin).</p> - -<p>A furious attack was made along both banks by the Germans at noon on -April 9th; <i>on the left bank</i>, five divisions were engaged, -failing everywhere except at the Mort-Homme, where, despite the heroic -resistance of the 42nd division (Deville), they gained a footing on the -N.E. slopes; <i>on the right bank</i>, Poivre Hill was attacked but -remained in French hands.</p> - -<p>“<i>April 9th was a glorious day for our armies</i>,” General Pétain -declared in his order of the day dated the 10th, “<i>the furious -attacks of the soldiers of the Crown Prince broke down everywhere. The -infantry, artillery, sappers and aviators of the 2nd Army vied with one -another in valour. Honour to all. No doubt the Germans will attack -again. Let all work and watch, that yesterday’s success be continued. -Courage! We shall beat them!</i>”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig011"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig011.jpg" /> -<div class="caption italic">General Nivelle, taking over the Command of -Verdun Army in May, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p>On the 10th the enemy continued his efforts with small success.</p> - -<p>From that date operations were limited to local actions, either in reply -to French counter-offensives (attacks of April 11th between Douaumont -and Vaux and between the Meuse and Douaumont on the 17th), or in -endeavours to take key positions where the French offered vigorous -resistance. At the beginning of May General Pétain, having received the -command of the central group of armies, General Nivelle took over that -of the army of Verdun.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig012"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig012.jpg" /> -<div class="caption italic">Entrance to Douaumont Fort.</div> -</div> - -<p>From May 4th to 24th the Germans attacked furiously around Mort-Homme. -On the 4th they captured the northern slopes of Hill 304, where -desperate combats took place on the 5th and 6th. By a powerful attack -on the 7th they forced the French to abandon the crest of Hill 304, which, -however, they were unable to occupy on account of the violence of the -bombardment. Cumières and Caurettes fell on the 24th.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, the battle had started afresh on the Douaumont—Vaux -front. On May 22nd, at 11.50 a.m., the French 5th D.I. attacked and recaptured -the fort of Douaumont, the casemates of which were the scene of -desperate hand-to-hand fighting. The French were driven out on the 24th, -but maintained their positions in the immediate vicinity.</p> - -<p>The battle continued without respite or quarter. Not an hour passed -without a surprise of some sort being attempted. The Germans were determined -to advance, but at every step they were checked by the unflinching -will of the French not to let them pass.</p> - -<p>From May 29th to 31st the enemy attacked Hill 304 and at Mort-Homme. -June 1st was marked by the loss of the Hardaumont salient and Thiaumont -Farm. On the 2nd the enemy progressed in Fumin Wood, but lost Thiaumont -Farm. On the 3rd they gained a footing in Vaux Fort, which was entirely -in their possession on the 8th. On the 9th they attacked Hill 304 and -Damloup Battery and retook Thiaumont Farm. On the 12th they -advanced along La Dame Ravine, but lost the N.E. slopes of Mort-Homme -on the 15th.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig013"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig013.jpg" /> -<div class="caption italic">Aspect of the Battlefield in July, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p>On the 23rd, after an uninterrupted bombardment, begun the day before, -the Germans launched their greatest attack. Seventeen regiments were -hurled simultaneously against the Thiaumont—Fleury—Souville front, -resulting in the capture of the Thiaumont redoubt and the gaining of -a footing in the village of Fleury, but failing to take the fort of Souville. -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> -Froide-Terre Hill, momentarily invaded, was cleared of the enemy by a -grenade and bayonet attack.</p> - -<p>On the following days, the fighting centred around the Thiaumont redoubt, -which changed hands many times, remaining finally with the enemy on -June 30th.</p> - -<p>Combats, frequent and furious, continued on both banks until the middle -of August.</p> - - -<h3>FRENCH COUNTER-OFFENSIVES—CLEARING VERDUN</h3> - -<p class="h3sub">October–December, 1916–August, 1917</p> - -<h4>The French Offensive of October 24th, 1916, on the Right Bank -of the Meuse</h4> - -<p>From August, 1916, the Germans, in consequence of the Franco-British -offensive in the Somme, gradually abandoned Verdun, in which venture she -had sacrificed the pick of her troops. The army of Verdun took advantage -of this to regain the initiative of the operations.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig014"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig014.jpg" /> -<div class="caption italic">General Mangin in front of his Post of Commandment.</div> -</div> - -<p>Under the command of General Mangin the French attacked from Thiaumont -to Laufée Wood on October 24th, 1916, the artillery preparation by -650 guns, including the new 15-inch and 16-inch mortars, beginning on -October 20th. On the 22nd a feint attack enabled French aeroplanes to -locate 158 enemy batteries, which were heavily shelled the next day.</p> - -<p>That the Germans did not realise the position was evident from the -Crown Prince’s announcement that he had broken a strong French -attack. The real attack took place on the morning of the 24th (<i>see -map, <a href="#Page_20">p. 20</a></i>).</p> - -<p>The German front was held on the first line by seven divisions. The -French attacked with three divisions: the 38th (Guyot de Salins), supported -on the left by the 11th line regiment; the 133rd (Passaga), known as “La -Gauloise”; the 74th (de Lardemelle).</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map008"> -<img alt="The French Offensive of 2016-10-24" - src="images/map008.jpg" /> -</div> - -<p>The attack was a brilliant success and gave the French the Haudromont -quarries, Thiaumont redoubt and farm, Douaumont fort and village, the -northern edge of Caillette Wood, Vaux pond, the eastern edge of Fumin -Wood and Damloup battery. On the 24th and 25th more than 6,000 -prisoners, fifteen guns, and considerable quantities of material, were captured. -On November 2nd, when the French re-entered Vaux Fort, abandoned by -the enemy, they practically reoccupied their positions of February 24th.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig015"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig015.jpg" /> -<div class="caption italic">The Approaches of Tavannes Fort.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map009"> -<img alt="The French Offensive of 2016-12-15" - src="images/map009.jpg" /> -</div> - -<h4>The French Offensive of December 15th, 1916, on the Right Bank -of the Meuse</h4> - -<p>To completely clear Verdun to the east of the Meuse and give greater -freedom to the reconquered forts of Vaux and Douaumont, General Mangin -organised a new attack. A great amount of preparatory work was done by -the army of Verdun, including about eighteen miles of road (whereof one of -logs laid transversely for the artillery), more than six miles of narrow-gauge -railway, and a network of trenches and depots for munitions and material. -As soon as these very considerable preparations, often carried out under -heavy enemy shell-fire, were finished, the attacking troops took up their -positions: the 126th D.I. (Muteau), 38th D.I. (Guyot de Salins), 37th D.I. -(Garnier-Duplessis) and 133rd D.I. (Passaga), with the 123rd, 128th, 21st -and 6th D.I. as reserves. Two lines of artillery prepared and sustained the -attack: one from Vacherauville to Thiaumont, Fleury and Souville, the -other passing through Belleville, St. Michel Hill and Tavannes Fort. The -six-mile German front from Vacherauville to Bezonvaux was held by five -divisions in the first line, with four divisions in reserve.</p> - -<p>On December 15th, while Germany was proposing that France should -ask for peace, the reply came in the form of attacking waves protected -by a moving curtain of artillery fire.</p> - -<p>Several of the objectives, including Vacherauville, Poivre Hill, Hill 342 -and the first and second lines before Louvemont, were reached in a few minutes -at a single bound. Albain and Chauffour Woods, those in front of Douaumont -and Helly Ravine, took longer to capture. To the east La Vauche Wood -was carried at the point of the bayonet, Caurières Wood passed, and the -edges of Chaume Wood reached. The farm of Les Chambrettes and village -of Bezonvaux were taken on the following days. The success was considerable, -more than 11,000 prisoners, including 300 officers, 115 guns, several -hundred machine-guns and important depots of munitions and material, -being captured. The enemy who, in July, had been within a few hundred -yards of Souville Fort, was now more than three miles away. In June, the -<i>Frankfort Gazette</i>, celebrating the German successes at Verdun, declared: -“We have clinched our victory and none can take it from us,” but on -December 18th they had lost all the ground it had taken five months and -enormous sacrifices to conquer.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig016"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig016.jpg" /> -<div class="caption italic">Hill 304 recaptured. - (Photographed August 24th, 1917. - See <a href="#Page_24">p. 24</a>)</div> -</div> - -<p>In congratulating the troops General Mangin reminded them that Germany -had just invited France to sue for peace, adding that they had been “the -true ambassadors of the Republic.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig017"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig017.jpg" /> -<div class="caption italic">Fontaines Ravine, West of Bezonvaux.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> - -<h4>The French Offensive of August 20th, 1917</h4> - -<p>The Army of Verdun, under General Guillaumat, completed the clearing -of the city on both banks of the Meuse.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig018"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig018.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">GENERAL GUILLAUMAT</div> -</div> - -<p>On August 20th, 1917, eight divisions attacked from Avocourt Wood on -the west to Bezonvaux on the east, along a fifteen-mile front. Avocourt Wood, -Mort-Homme, Corbeaux Wood and Oie Hill on the left bank; Talou Hill, -the villages of Champ, Neuville and Champneuville, Hill 344, parts of Fosses -Wood, Chaume Wood and Mormont Farm, on the right bank, were captured -by the French, who, the next day, also took Samogneux and Regnéville. -Hill 304, which had thus far resisted, was likewise captured. On the 26th -a further attack from Mormont Redoubt to Chaume Wood brought the -French to the southern outskirts of Beaumont. From the 20th to the 26th -August the captures include 9,500 prisoners, thirty guns, 100 trench mortars -and 242 machine-guns.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map010"> -<img alt="Map: The French Offensive of 1917-08-20" - src="images/map010.jpg" /> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map011"> -<img alt="Map: The American Offensive of 1918-09-26" - src="images/map011.jpg" /> -</div> - -<h4>The American Offensive of September 26th, 1918</h4> - -<p class="h4sub">(<i>See Panorama, <a href="#Page_106">pp. 106</a> and <a -href="#Page_107">107</a></i>)</p> - -<p>The clearing of Verdun was entirely and definitely effected in the autumn -of 1918.</p> - -<p>While the 4th French Army, under General Gouraud, attacked between the -Moronvillers Hills and Argonne on September 26th, the American Army, under -General Pershing, took the offensive between the Argonne and the Meuse.</p> - -<p>Artillery preparation commenced at 2.30 a.m. and lasted three hours. -At 5.30 a.m. the Americans attacked with great dash the redoubtable enemy -positions on the left bank of the Meuse, capturing Malancourt, Béthincourt -and Forges. Keeping up with the infantry, the artillery crossed the Forges -stream during the morning. The woods, very strongly defended, were cleared -of the enemy, and by noon the Americans had reached Gercourt, Cuisy, the -southern part of Montfaucon and Cheppy.</p> - -<p>In the afternoon a desperate battle was engaged on the positions covering -the redoubtable ridge of Montfaucon, the most important enemy observation-post -in the region of Verdun. The Americans wisely turned the ridge on -the right, advancing as far as Septsarges. By evening Montfaucon was surrounded. -The advance, now slower, continued on the 27th and 28th, despite -German counter-attacks. To the west of Montfaucon, Ivoiry and Epinouville -were captured, and thus the ridge fell. The Americans took 8,000 -prisoners and 100 guns.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map012"> -<img alt="Map: The Franco-American Offensive of 1918-10-09" - src="images/map012.jpg" /> -</div> - -<h4>The Franco-American Offensive of October, 1918</h4> - -<p>On the right bank of the Meuse, a French army corps and American troops, -under General Pershing, joined in the struggle, capturing Brabant, Haumont, -Haumont Wood and Caures Wood, while the famous line from which, in -February, 1916, the Crown Prince’s army had attacked Verdun, was soon -reached and passed. By the end of October more than 20,000 prisoners, -150 guns, nearly 1,000 trench-mortars and several thousand machine-guns, -had been captured, while unconquered Verdun was definitely lost to the -Germans. Their retreat was now destined to continue uninterruptedly until -the Armistice.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig019"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig019.jpg" /> -<div class="caption italic">Renault Tanks and American Troops on the old French Lines - at Regnéville.</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map013"> - <a href="images/map013_full.png"> - <img class="double" alt="" - src="images/map013_thumbnail.jpg" /></a> -<div class="caption italic">The German Advance<br /> -and the ground reconquered (Sectioned zones) by the<br /> -French and American armies</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map013L"> -<img alt="" - src="images/map013_left.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The left-hand side of the two-page map above]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map013R"> -<img alt="" - src="images/map013_right.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The right-hand side of the two-page map above]</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> - -<h3>CONCLUSION</h3> - -<p>The Battle of Verdun was not merely one of the hardest of the War’s -many battles, it was also one of the most serious checks received by the -Germans. The enemy High Command had foreseen neither its amplitude -nor its long duration. Whereas, “according to plan,” Verdun—“Heart of -France”—was speedily to be overpowered by a carefully prepared mass -attack, the Germans found themselves involved in a formidable struggle, -without being able either to obtain a decisive advantage or keep the relatively -small advantages obtained at the beginning of the battle.</p> - -<p>The battle did not develop “according to plan,” its successive phases -being determined by circumstances.</p> - -<p>The huge numbers of troops which the Germans were compelled to engage -brings out very clearly the immensity of their effort and the different phases -of the struggle.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The first and shortest phase (February 21st–March 1st) was that of the -<b>surprise attack</b> by a large concentration of specially trained troops.</p> - -<p>To the six German divisions which had been holding the Verdun sector -since the Battle of the Marne, were added nine full divisions, rested and -trained for attack.</p> - -<p>Of these fifteen divisions ten took part in the surprise attack, their losses -being immediately made good by reserves stationed in the rear of each army -corps. At the end of February, in consequence of the French withdrawal in -Woevre, two further divisions strengthened enemy action in that region.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The second phase (March 2nd–April 15th) marked the <b>general attack</b> -on both banks of the Meuse, in place of the surprise attack which had failed.</p> - -<p>During this period nine and a half fresh German divisions were engaged, -of which four came from the Eastern front.</p> - -<p>At the same time two and a half German divisions were withdrawn and -rested in quiet sectors, while four others were sent to the rear to reform, two -of them being, however, again engaged after twenty days’ rest.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The third phase (April 15th–July 1st) was that of <b>attrition</b>. After the -failure of their general attack and to avoid avowal of their defeat, the Germans -persisted in their attacks on Verdun.</p> - -<p>Twelve fresh divisions were engaged, in addition to three others which -had been sent to the rear to reform. On the other hand, fourteen divisions -were withdrawn and sent to the rear, to Russia, or other sectors on the French -front.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The fourth phase (July 1st, 1916, to 1917) was that of the <b>retreat and -stabilisation</b>. The Germans were exhausted and compelled to use their -reserves for the Russian front and especially in the Somme. Their activities -on the Verdun front were limited to making good their losses. However, -they were finally obliged to weaken this front to a point that they were unable -to reply to the French attacks.</p> - -<p>From August 21st to October 1st, the Germans brought up only one -division and withdrew four. From October 1st to 24th, three divisions relieved -nearly five. After October 24th the strength of the enemy forces varied only -slightly, the French offensives preventing any further weakening of the front. -The attrition caused by the French attacks of October 24th and December 15th -gave rise only to rapid replacements of about equal importance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> - -<p>In brief, from February 21st, 1916, to February 1st, 1917, the Germans -engaged fifty-six and a half divisions (or 567 battalions), of which six -divisions appeared successively on both banks of the Meuse, eight others being -also engaged twice and six three times. In reality, in the course of eleven -months, eighty-two and a half German divisions took part in the attacks on -Verdun, which they had expected to crush in a few days with ten to twelve -divisions. The contrast between this formidable effort and the meagre results -obtained is striking, and is a splendid testimony to the courage and tenacity -of the defenders. The Battle of Verdun in 1916 was not merely a severe -local setback for the Germans; by using up their best troops it had also very -important strategical consequences. Their successes were few, temporary, -and dearly bought. Advancing painfully, each step forward was marked by -a mountain of corpses. Up to the end of the War, even after the Battles of -the Somme and Aisne in 1910 and 1917, and after the Battle of Champagne -in 1918, Verdun remained a hideous spectre for the German people, while -their soldiers surnamed it “<b>The Slaughter-House of Germany</b>.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig020"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig020.jpg" /> -<div class="caption italic">Douaumont Fort and its Approaches.</div> -<div class="subcapit">(Photographed from aeroplane - in May, 1916.)</div> -</div> - -<p>As the French President, M. Poincaré, declared, on handing to the Mayor -of Verdun the decorations conferred on that city by the Allied nations, it was -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> -before the walls of Verdun that “the supreme hope of Imperial Germany was -crushed.” It was at Verdun that Germany sought the “kolossal” victory -which was to enslave the world, and it was there that France quietly but -firmly replied “No road.” For centuries to come the name of Verdun will -continue to ring in the ears of humanity like a shout of victory and a cry of -deliverance.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig021"> -<img alt="Decorations awarded to the City of Verdun" - src="images/fig021.jpg" /> -</div> - -<h4>Verdun Decorated</h4> - -<p>It was in a casemate of the Citadel, transformed into a <i>salle de -fêtes</i>, that, on September 13th, 1916, Président Poincaré handed -the undermentioned decorations, conferred on the city by the Chiefs of -State of the Allied countries, to the Municipal Authorities of Verdun: -St. George’s Cross of Russia (white enamel); the British Military -Cross (silver); the medal for military valour of Italy (gold); the -Cross of Leopold I. of Belgium (gold); the medal “Ohilitch” of -Montenegro (gold); the “Croix de la Légion d’Honneur” and the “Croix -de Guerre” of France. Since then the French Government has conferred a -Sword of Honour on the city. Generals Joffre, Pétain and Nivelle, the -Military Governor (General Dubois), the French War Minister and -representatives of the Allied Nations were present at this moving -ceremony, which consecrated the heroic resistance of the army of -Verdun and the German defeat.</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <a href="images/map014_full.jpg" id="map014"> - <img class="double" src="images/map014_thumbnail.jpg" - alt="" /></a> -<div class="caption">[The City of Verdun]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map014L"> -<img alt="" src="images/map014_left.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The left-hand side of the map of the city]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map014R"> -<img alt="" src="images/map014_right.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The right-hand side of the map of the city]</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31">[Pg -31]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a id="A_VISIT_TO_THE_CITY_OF_VERDUN"></a>A VISIT TO THE CITY OF -VERDUN</h2> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map015"> -<img alt="Verdun: the city centre" - src="images/map015.jpg" /> -<div class="caption"></div> -</div> - -<p class="smaller"><i>Motorists coming either from St. Menehould, or Bar-le-Duc, via -the</i> “<b>Sacred Way</b>,” <i>enter Verdun by the Porte-de-France, -which has been chosen as the starting-point of the following -descriptive itinerary for visiting the town. Follow the</i> <b>streets -shown on the outline map</b>, <i>in the direction of the</i> -<b>arrows</b>, <i>consulting at the same time the</i> <b>text</b> -<i>and</i> <b>photographs</b> <i>on <a href="#Page_32">pp.32–56</a></i>.</p> - -<hr class="blank" /> - -<p class="smaller"><i>See also the</i> <a href="#map014"><b>two-coloured -plan</b></a> <i>above</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> - -<h4>VISIT TO THE CITY</h4> - -<p>From the <b>Porte-de-France</b>, whose entrance arcade on the bridge -dates from Louis XIV., <i>take the Rue St. Maur, leading to the Place -du Gouvernement</i>.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig022"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig022.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE PLACE D’ARMES</div> -</div> - -<p>This square owes its name to the building called “Le Gouvernement,” -or “Ancien Logis du Roi.” Residence of the War Minister, M. Louvois, in -1687, and to-day a barracks for the gendarmes. It was damaged by the -bombardment.</p> - -<p><i>From the Place du Gouvernement go</i> via <i>the Rue Chevert to -the Place d’Armes</i>.</p> - -<p>The <b>Place d’Armes</b>, badly damaged by bombardment, occupies the -site of a tower (Tour le Princier) of the old rampart.</p> - -<p>Go down the Rue St. Pierre.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig023"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig023.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">RUE ST. PIERRE IN 1916.</div> -<div class="subcap"> - </div><i>In background</i> RUE CHAUSSÉE. - <i>On the right</i>: RUE MAZEL. -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>Turning to the left into the Rue -St. Paul, the tourist passes in front -of</i> <b>the College</b>.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig024"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig024.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">FAÇADE OF COLLEGE CHURCH, RUE -ST. PAUL, MAY, 1919.</div> -</div> - -<p>The present building was erected in 1890 on the site of the old -college, founded in 1570 by Bishop Nicolas Psaume in the grounds of -the ancient Hôpital de St. Nicolas-de-Gravière. Its church, a fine -Ionic structure, was built in 1730 by the Jesuits. The college was one -of the first buildings to be damaged by the bombardment, being struck -in 1915, prior to the great German offensive against Verdun.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig025"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig025.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">INTERIOR OF COLLEGE CHURCH.</div> -<div class="subcapit">Photographed in May, 1919.</div> -</div> - -<p><i>Continue along Rue St. Paul as far as the</i> <b>Palais de -Justice</b> <i>and the</i> <b>Sub-Préfecture</b> (<i>photo, -<a href="#Page_34">p. 34</a></i>).</p> - -<p>These two buildings are the remains of the second Abbey of the -Premonstrants of St. Paul, built inside the town after 1552. The -first, situated without the walls, was destroyed by order of the -Military Authorities, who feared a siege by Charles Quint.</p> - -<p>In the S<span class="smaller">OUS</span>-P<span -class="smaller">RÉFECTURE</span> vestiges of the ancient monastery are -more numerous and apparent. The <i>Salle des Archives</i>, with its -slender columns and great Renaissance bays, was the monks’ refectory. -The <i>Cabinet du Sous-Préfet</i>, with its austere vaulting, has -retained its archaic appearance. In the <i>Loge du Concierge</i> -(caretaker’s lodge) there still exists one of the original -mantelpieces, with carving representing Abraham sacrificing Isaac. The -marble-paved <i>vestibule</i> and fine <i>staircase</i> are also 16th -century.</p> - -<p>The interior arrangement of the Palais de Justice buildings, whose -façade is ornamented with a finely carved semicircular -<i>pediment</i>, has been changed. Of the old convent there now only -remains the Salle des Pas-Perdus, formerly the cloister.</p> - -<p>The <b>Hôtel de la Cloche d’Or</b>, near by, has been installed in -the ancient “Procure” of the same monastery (St. Paul’s).</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig026"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig026.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE PALAIS DE JUSTICE</div> -</div> - -<p>The books and woodwork of the monastery have been removed to the -Municipal Library.</p> - -<p><i>Return by the Rue St. Paul to the Rue Chaussée, into which turn to the -left; at the end is the</i> <b>Chaussée Gate</b> (<i>hist. mon.</i>), built -about 1380 (<i>see <a href="#Page_35">pp. 35</a> and -<a href="#Page_58">58</a></i>).</p> - -<p>Its architecture recalls that of the Bastille. Half of the left tower on the -river was rebuilt in 1690, exactly on the same lines and with the stones of the -old tower; the semicircular arcade and the pediment facing the bridge are -of the same date.</p> - -<p>The pediment between the two towers was struck by shell splinters, -otherwise the bombardments did not damage the gate.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig027"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig027.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE BANKS OF THE MEUSE AND THE CATHEDRAL BEFORE -THE WAR.</div> -<div class="subcap">(<i>Compare with photos on <a href="#Page_35">pp. 35</a> and -<a href="#Page_37">37</a>.</i>)</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig028"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig028.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CHAUSSÉE GATE (before the War)</div> -</div> - -<p><i>Cross the Chaussée Bridge over the Meuse, then take on the right the Boulevard -de la République, which passes in front of the Cercle Militaire (Military Club).</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig029"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig029.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE BANKS OF THE MEUSE, THE CATHEDRAL AND -ST. CROIX BRIDGE.</div> -<div class="subcapit">Photographed from the Military Club in May, 1919.</div> -</div> - -<p><i>Take on the left, the Rue du Puty and the Rue des Tanneries, -then the Minimes Bridge (also on the left), at the end of which is</i> -<b>St. Saviour’s Church</b>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig030"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig030.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH.</div> -</div> - -<p>The church is modern, having replaced the old Église des Minimes in -1830. It contains, however, some interesting stained-glass windows, -while at the entrance is the tomb of the founder of the old church, -Bishop Bousnard, deceased in 1584.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig031"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig031.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE INTERIOR OF ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH.</div> -</div> - -<p><i>Return by the Rue des Tanneries to the Rue du Puty, turn to the -left, reaching the</i> <b>Place Chevert</b> <i>on the right bank of -the Meuse (see photo, <a href="#Page_37">p. 37</a>)</i>.</p> - -<p>There is a fine view of the upper town, bishop’s palace and -cathedral from this square. The latter was begun in 1552, after the -Church of St. Croix had been pulled down. A statue of <i>General -Chevert</i>, by the sculptor of the pediment of the Madeleine in Paris -(Lemaire), has been erected on the site of this church. In December, -1916, this statue was removed to the underground vaults of the -Citadelle.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig032"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig032.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">CHEVERT SQUARE AND STATUE OF GENERAL CHEVERT.</div> -<div class="subcap">(<i>Born at Verdun in 1695, General Chevert -captured Prague in 1741. After a heroic defence, he capitulated in -1743, with the honours of War.</i>)</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig033"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig033.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE MEUSE (SEEN FROM CHEVERT SQUARE, 1916).</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>On the other side of Chevert Square is the Rue de -l’Hôtel-de-Ville, which ends on the right at St. Croix Bridge. Follow -it on the left as far as the</i> <b>Hôtel-de-Ville</b> (<i>see -Itinerary, <a href="#Page_31">p. 31</a></i>).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig034"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig034.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">FAÇADE OF THE HÔTEL-DE-VILLE OVERLOOKING THE -GARDENS. (May 1919)</div> -</div> - -<h4>Hôtel-de-Ville</h4> - -<p>As one of the lofty windows bears the date 1623, the popular belief that -the building was erected by the famous Governor Marillac is unfounded. It -is possible, however, that tradition, according to which Marillac sheltered -Marie de Médicis there, after her flight from Paris, is founded on fact.</p> - -<p>It is a fine structure in the Medicis style. The façade which overlooks -the garden resembles that of the Luxembourg in Paris in some of its lines.</p> - -<p><i>At the side of the Hôtel-de-Ville, at No. 19, is the house of M. Clément.</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig035"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig035.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">MAIN ENTRANCE (REBUILT) TO THE ABBEY OF ST. VANNE, -<br />IN THE COURT OF NO. 19 RUE DE L’HÔTEL-DE-VILLE</div> -</div> - -<p>A learned amateur, Monsieur Clément, who was killed during the -bombardments of 1916, had collected a considerable number of fragments -of the Abbey of St. Vanne and rebuilt the principal doorway of the -latter (<i>see <a href="#Page_52">p. 52</a></i>) in the courtyard of -his house. The famous door of the Capitulary Room, described -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> -and drawn by Viollet-le-Duc, was of curious 13th-century design. The -lintel of the tympanum was ornamented with foliage, which is an -interesting peculiarity, as the sculptural decoration of the tympanums -of doors was very rare at that time in civil architecture.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig036"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig036.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">RUINS IN THE RUE MAZEL AND RUE DU ST. ESPRIT.</div> -</div> - -<p><i>Return to the Place Chevert, cross the St. Croix Bridge, and go -to the Place d’Armes</i> via <i>the Place and Rue Mazel</i>, whose -houses are in ruins.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig037"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig037.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE PRINCERIE IN 1916, RUE DE LA BELLE-VIERGE, -NOS. 16 AND 18 (<span class="italic smaller">see -<a href="#Page_40">p.40</a></span>).</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> - -<p>Turn to the left into the Rue St. Pierre. In the Place d’Armes take the -Rue de la Belle-Vierge as far as the <b>Hôtel de la Princerie</b>, former residence -of the “primicerius,” first archdeacon of the Cathedral.</p> - -<p>Rebuilt in 1525, it has been divided in recent times into two houses, -Nos. 16 and 18. While the façade of No. 18 was modern, that of No. 16, with -its window-gratings, retained its ancient aspect. The courtyard was ornamented -on two of its sides with two-storied Renaissance galleries (<i>hist. mon.</i>). -Although of 16th-century construction, the decoration of this cloister was -inspired by the Middle Age or Transition Period (<i>note the crocketted capitals -of the pillars and the bases of the latter</i>).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig038"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig038.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE PRINCERIE CLOISTER (<i>hist. mon.</i>) BEFORE THE WAR.</div> -</div> - -<p>The house was destroyed by the bombardments, and the cloister is almost -entirely in ruins.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig039"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig039.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE PRINCERIE CLOISTER IN 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> - -<p>The street took its name from a statue of the Virgin on the -monumental entrance-gate of the deanery.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig040"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig040.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">AN OBSERVATION-POST IN MAGDELEINE SQUARE (1916).</div> -</div> - -<p><i>Take the Rue de la Magdeleine on the left, beyond the deanery, -as far as the</i> <b>Place de la Magdeleine</b>.</p> - -<p>At No. 2 of this square is an early 16th-century house (sometimes -called the “Maison de Jules II.”), with a carved triangular pediment -supported by two pillars. Built after the decease of Pope Julius II., -it was probably erected on the site of the house where he lived while -still Cardinal Julian de la Rovère.</p> - -<p><i>At No. 19 of the square, cross the house in ruins to a kind of -garden-terrace at the back</i>, built on the site of the old ramparts, -vestiges of which are still visible. Fine view of the ruins in the -Rues Mazel, Châtel and St. Esprit.</p> - -<p><i>Take the Rues Châtel and Belle-Vierge to the</i> -<b>Cathedral</b> (<i>see Itinerary, -<a href="#Page_31">p. 31</a></i>).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig041"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig041.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">RUINS IN THE RUE CHÂTEL, SEEN FROM THE CATHEDRAL (1916).</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> - -<h4>THE CATHEDRAL <span class="normw">(<i>hist. mon.</i>)</span></h4> - -<p>The Cathedral of Verdun, like that of Angers, was one of the first French -churches to be dedicated to the Virgin. In the 7th or 8th centuries its -patronal festival was The Nativity, but this was changed to The Assumption -at the beginning of the 19th century.</p> - -<p>It is an ancient edifice, but has often been restored and altered. The -original 5th-century church, which it replaced, was built on the ruins of a -Roman <i>castrum</i>, like those of Rheims, Metz and Trèves.</p> - -<p>The Cathedral was consecrated in 1147 by Pope Eugenius III., assisted by -eighteen cardinals and St. Bernard. The plans were made by the Rhenish -architect Garin, and, contrarily to French practice, included two transepts -and two apses. With its four similar spires, two on each choir, it looked, -according to a popular saying, like a “bahut” (chest of drawers on legs), -turned upside down.</p> - -<p>The fire of 1755 caused important alterations to be made which, without -suppressing the main lines of the Cathedral, disfigured the interior. These -alterations explain the lack of harmony in the edifice.</p> - -<p>The four Roman towers with spires disappeared after 1755. Only the -two western towers were replaced by the present large ones.</p> - -<p>The Cathedral did not greatly suffer from the bombardment of 1916, during -the German offensive, but that of April–May, 1917, damaged it very seriously. -The vaults were either pierced or brought down, and the roof destroyed. -Near the apsis a big shell tore open the ground, bringing to light an unknown -subterranean passage or crypt.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig042"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig042.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">VERDUN SEEN FROM ONE OF THE CATHEDRAL TOWERS.</div> - -<p class="subcap4">In the foreground: Roof of nave, east transept, and -great choir of Cathedral.</p> - -<p class="subcap4">In the middle-ground: The Meuse; on the left, -Chaussée Gate; in the middle, Military Club.</p> - -<p class="subcap4">In the background: Line of trees marking the -ramparts; behind, Belleville Village (on the left) and the Pavé -Faubourg.</p> - -<p class="subcap4">On the horizon: Belleville Hills.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>The tourist, arriving at the Place de la Cathédrale</i>, via -<i>the Rue de la Belle-Vierge (see Itinerary, -<a href="#Page_31">p. 31</a>), finds himself in front of the North Façade -(photo below)</i>.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig043"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig043.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CATHEDRAL.</div> - -<p class="subcap1">In the middle: The towers around the old choir.</p> - -<p class="subcap2">On the left: The North Front and Main Doorway.</p> - -<p class="subcap2">On the right: Entrance to Margueritte College, leading<br /> -to the Bishop’s Palace and the Cloister (<i>see -<a href="#Page_49">pp. 49–51</a></i>).</p> -</div> - -<p><i>In the middle</i> is the entrance portal; <i>on the right</i>, -the Western Transept and the Towers enclosing the remarkable, -square-shaped old Choir; <i>on the left</i>, the Eastern Transept and -polygonal apsis of the Great Choir (<i>photo below</i>).</p> - -<p><i>In front of the Towers, on the right of this photograph, is -the</i> entrance to Margueritte College, <i>giving access to the</i> -Bishop’s Palace <i>and the</i> Cloister -(<i>see <a href="#Page_49">pp. 49–51</a></i>).</p> - -<h4>The Entrance Portal</h4> - -<p class="h4sub">(<i>North Front</i>)</p> - -<p>The Gable and Buttresses of the portal are 13th century. Its -secular ornamentation replaced, in the 18th century, Gothic statues, -which were destroyed as uncouth.</p> - -<p>The portal is placed between two chapels; that on the right (16th -century) is called “The Chaplet,” on account of the chaplets carved on -the buttresses.</p> - -<h4>The Towers</h4> - -<p>The present bells weigh four and six tons respectively and date -from 1756. They were so cast as to have the same proportions and tones -as those of the St. Germain-des-Prés Church in Paris.</p> - -<h4>The Apse of the Great Choir</h4> - -<p>The basement is the remains of a Roman apse. The upper portion -dates from the end of the 14th century.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig044"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig044.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">APSIS OF THE GREAT CHOIR, SEEN FROM -THE BANKS OF THE MEUSE (<i>see <a href="#Page_34">p. 34</a></i>).</div> -</div> - -<p>The bas-reliefs are Roman carvings, re-utilised in the Gothic -buttresses. <i>From right to left</i> they represent <i>Adam and -Eve</i>; the <i>Annunciation</i> (the Virgin and Angel are separated -by a tree, whose shape recalls the Tree of Life on the Chaldean -cylinders reproduced on the cloth-stuffs exported from Byzantium); -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> -<i>Cain and Abel (through an error in perspective, frequently to be -found in Egyptian art, the bust and trunk of the two patriarchs are -shown in profile, whilst the feet are facing frontwards)</i>; an -unknown bishop.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig045"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig045.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE GREAT NAVE</div> -<p class="subcap1">In the background: The old choir -and organ-loft (the organs had been removed).</p> - -<p class="subcap2">In the foreground: The -marble balustrade of the Great Choir protected by sandbags</p> -</div> - -<h4>The Great Nave and two Choirs</h4> - -<p>The Great Nave was very seriously damaged by the bombardments. -Several bays of the vaulting fell in, leaving bare the timber-work of the roof -in ruins.</p> - -<p><i>On entering the Cathedral by the Central Portal in the North -Front (see <a href="#Page_43">p. 43</a>)</i> the old Choir -<i>(photos, <a href="#Page_44">p. 44</a>) is on the -right, and the</i> Great Choir with ciborium -<i>(<a href="#Page_45">p. 45</a>) on the left</i>.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig046"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig046.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE GREAT NAVE BEFORE THE WAR</div> -<p class="subcap1">In the background: The Old Choir and the Great Organ.</p> - -<p class="subcap2">In the foreground: The balustrade of the Great -Choir</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig047"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig047.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE GREAT NAVE SEEN FROM THE OLD CHOIR</div> -<p class="subcap1">In the background: The Great Choir and the -Ciborium.<br /> The ruined vaults have bared the damaged framework of -the roof</p> -</div> - -<p>The old square choir is intersected by the great organ, as at Albi.</p> - -<p>The decoration of the Great Choir dates from 1760. The marble -balustrade (<i>see <a href="#Page_44">p. 44</a></i>) is a copy of that -in the Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, and replaced the old lateral walls -and rood-loft. The gilded canopy, which is a transformation of the -antique ciborium of the Gallo-Roman churches, is supported by four -twisted columns of grey marble. It is a copy of that of St. Peter’s at -Rome. Behind it are eighty-six stalls in two superposed rows, and -carved panelling (<i>see <a href="#Page_46">p. 46</a></i>).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig048"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig048.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CIBORIUM</div> -<p class="subcap1">(The Ciborium was the canopy supported by columns which -<br />covered the altars in the early Christian basilicas.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46">[Pg46]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig049"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig049.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE STALLS AND WOODWORK OF THE GREAT CHOIR</div> -</div> - -<p><b>Stalls and Woodwork of the Great Choir.</b>—Classed as an historical -monument in 1905, this Rococo-style woodwork by Lacour of Toul is remarkable -for its somewhat secular elegance and fine finish. During the bombardment -of Verdun in 1916–1918 it was taken down and put in a place of -safety.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig050"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig050.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE SHRINE OF ST. SAINTIN</div> -<p class="subcap1">Photographed with the woodwork of the Great Choir -at the Exhibition<br /> of the Evacuated Art Treasures held in Paris</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> - -<p><b>St. Saintin’s Shrine.</b>—This 14th-century shrine contains the relics of -the first bishop of Verdun, and is said to represent the ancient church of the -Premonstrants of St. Paul.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig051"> -<img alt="The South Isle and Holy Sacrament Chapel" - src="images/fig051.jpg" /> -</div> - -<h4>The South Aisle and Holy Sacrament Chapel</h4> - -<p>The numerous collateral chapels are 14th, 15th and 16th century. The -most interesting is that of the Holy Sacrament. It was finished in 1402, and -is Radial-Gothic in style.</p> - -<p>In the neighbouring transept there was formerly a “puits” (well), which -offended Louis XIV. when he visited the Cathedral in 1687. The Chapter -had it filled up and covered with a stone, on which was carved the -letter “P.”</p> - -<p>The Chapel of the Virgin contains an interesting mutilated monument to -Archdeacon Wassebourg, carved in the 16th century to perpetuate the true -image of Our Lady of Verdun seated and crowned.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig052"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig052.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">MONUMENT TO ARCHDEACON WASSEBOURG.<br />CHAPEL OF THE -VIRGIN</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig053"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig053.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">UPPER PORTION OF DOOR IN OLD ROMAN APSE,<br /> -REMOVED TO THE VESTRY.</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig054"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig054.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">ROMAN CAPITAL OF THE GREAT CRYPT<br /> -FILLED IN IN 1755, EXCEPT TWO BAYS<br /> -DECORATED WITH PAINTINGS.</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig055"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig055.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE LAST JUDGMENT. <br />PAINTING ON THE VAULT -OF THE CRYPT.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>Enter the courtyard of the Bishop’s Palace by the door of the -Margueritte College (see <a href="#Page_43">p. 43</a>). The Seminary -seen in the background of the photo has been completely destroyed -since 1916. The door with steps in front led formerly to a staircase -descending to the Cloister. In May, 1919, this staircase was easily -accessible, in spite of the débris all around.</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig056"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig056.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">COURTYARD OF THE BISHOP’S PALACE AND THE CATHEDRAL IN -1916</div> -</div> - -<h4>The Bishop’s Palace</h4> - -<p>This fine spacious building was erected in 1725–1755 from the plans -of <i>Robert de Cotte</i>. It has two terraces and a garden, with a -view over the whole town. Under the First Empire it was a senatorial -palace.</p> - -<p>At the time of the separation of the Church from the State it was -turned into a <b>museum</b>. The latter contains a fine collection of -medals and coins, also numerous fragments of the ancient Abbey of -St. Vanne, which was inside the Citadel. These fragments include -the remains of a Pagan altar, a Corinthian capital with Barbarian -ornamentation, and an ivory comb with inscriptions, said to have been -given by Emperor St. Henri to the Abbot of St. Vanne in 1024.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig057"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig057.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE BISHOP’S PALACE. FAÇADE LOOKING ON THE<br /> -COURTYARD AND ENTRANCE TO THE MUSEUM.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig058"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig058.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CLOISTER</div> - -<p class="subcap1">On the left: Aisle of the Cathedral (<i>see <a -href="#Page_47">p. 47</a></i>) and the Transept<br /> with ruined -roof.</p> - -<p class="subcap2">In the background: The East Gallery of the -Cloister</p> -</div> - -<h4>The Cloister <span class="normw">(<i>Hist. Mon.</i> - 13th and 14th centuries)</span></h4> - -<p><i>The door of Margueritte College and the courtyard of the -Bishop’s Palace lead to the Cloister (see photos, -<a href="#Page_43">pp. 43</a> and -<a href="#Page_49">49</a>).</i></p> - -<p>Although Gothic in structure, parts of the carved decorative work -announced the coming Renaissance (helmeted warriors and antique personages -crowned with laurels).</p> - -<p>Some of the keystones of the vaulting, representing bloated, bearded faces, -are said to be caricatures of the canons of the Cathedral, made by the workmen -who built the cloister, to revenge themselves for the Church’s stinginess.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig059"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig059.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE WEST GALLERY IN WHICH THE STAIRCASE<br />LEADING TO -THE CLOISTER OPENS OUT (1914)</div> -<p class="subcap1">The arrangement of the blind windows against the -walls is very rarely met with</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig060"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig060.jpg" /> -<div class="caption"> -THE CLOISTER SEEN FROM ONE OF THE CATHEDRAL TOWERS</div> -<p class="subcap1">In the background: the East Gallery.</p> - -<p class="subcap2">On the right the Seminary and -South Gallery in ruins.</p> - -<p class="subcap2">In the town is seen St. Saviour’s Church -against the green<br />background of the fortifications</p> -</div> - -<p>The heavy Seminary buildings, erected on two of the galleries, are -19th century. They were almost entirely destroyed by the bombardments.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig061"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig061.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE SOUTH GALLERY OF THE CLOISTER BEFORE THE WAR</div> - -<p class="subcap1">Its present -state is shown in the <a href="#fig060">previous photograph</a></p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>On leaving the Cathedral, the -tourist arrives almost immediately at -the small Place Châtel, the highest -point of the town. Take, the Rue -Châtel to the</i> <b>Châtel Gate</b>.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig062"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig062.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">CHÂTEL GATE. BEHIND THE CATHEDRAL.</div> -</div> - -<p>From the ancient “Fermeté” rampart, only this machicolated gate -(formerly called “Champenoise”) is visible near the small “Place -Châtel.”</p> - -<p><i>On leaving the Châtel Gate, go down the Rue des Hauts Fins to -the corner of the</i> Rue Montgaud: Blockhouse for four machine-guns -to defend the town.</p> - -<p>Cross the Esplanade de la Roche to the <b>Citadelle</b>.</p> - - -<h4>THE CITADELLE</h4> - -<p>From the Esplanade de la Roche, the arrangement of which dates from -1780–1783, there is a fine view of the Meuse valley and the prairies -known as <b>Pré-l’Evêque</b>.</p> - -<p>The entrance to the <b>Citadelle</b> opens on the Esplanade de la -Roche, while the Citadelle proper occupies the site of the ancient -<b>Abbey</b> and <b>Church of St. Vanne</b>, erected in the -Merovingian Period and 15th century on the hill where, in the days of -Clovis, the Dragon with poisoned breath was said to live. According to -the legend St. Vanne first tamed the dragon, then led it to the River -Meuse, where it was drowned.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig063"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig063.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CITADEL BUILDINGS AFTER THE BOMBARDMENTS OF -1916</div> -<div class="subcap">(<i>Photographed in 1917</i>)</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> - -<p>The first Citadelle was begun in 1552, continued under -Henri IV. by Errard, and finished in 1630 under Governor Marillac. -The second was the work of Vauban (1670–1682). The church of St. Vanne -was included and preserved in both citadelles, but was later pulled -down (1831–1835) by order of the Military Authorities. The old Gothic -cloister was spared and turned into barracks in 1835. It was destroyed -by the German bombardment during the siege of 1870. Of the Abbey, only -a square Roman Tower of the 11th century remains -(<i>see <a href="#fig064">photo below</a></i>).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig064"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig064.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CITADEL AND ST. VANNE TOWER, WITH -WIRELESS ANTENNA.</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig065"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig065.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CITADEL RAMPARTS AND NEUVE GATE.</div> -<div class="subcap1">(<i>Entrance to the town by the G. C. 34, - continued by the Rue de Rû.<br /> - See <a href="#map014">coloured plan</a> between pp. 30 and 31.</i>)</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig066"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig066.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">DORMITORY IN THE CASEMATES.</div> -</div> - -<h4>The Citadel during the War</h4> - -<p>During the late War, the Citadelle was often a target for the German -heavy guns, but its deep underground vaults provided secure shelter for the -population before the general evacuation, as also for the public services -and reinforcements. Most of the regiments which took part in the battles -of 1916 passed through the Citadelle.</p> - -<p>It was in one of the casemates that the President of France, M. Poincaré, -handed to the Municipal Authorities of Verdun, on September 13th, 1916, -the decorations conferred on that City by the Chiefs of State of the Allied -countries (<i>see <a href="#Page_30">p. 30</a></i>).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig067"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig067.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">CO-OPERATIVE CANTEEN IN THE CITADEL.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>On leaving the Citadelle, turn to the right immediately after -the entrance and follow the glacis which passes underneath the -terraces of the Bishop’s Palace. After a sharp turning near the -Manutention, the tourist arrives at the</i> <b>Rue de Rû</b>.</p> - -<p><i>Take the latter as far as the</i> <b>Rue des Gros-Degrés</b>, -one of the most picturesque streets of Old Verdun, which also suffered -greatly from the German bombardment. It is composed of eighty steps, -divided into seven unequal flights, with a hand-rail erected in 1595. -<i>The photograph below was taken from the bottom of the -stairs.</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig068"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig068.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE RUE DES GROS-DEGRÉS.</div> -</div> - -<p><i>Take on the right the Rue du Pont des Augustins and cross the -curious canal</i> of the same name (<i>photo below</i>) to visit the -Lower Town, which is crowded with picturesque old streets and narrow -bridges over the winding canals.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig069"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig069.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CANAL DES AUGUSTINS.</div> -</div> - -<p><i>Return to the</i> <b>Place Mazel</b>.</p> - -<p><i>If the tourist has time, he may go from here to the</i> <b>St. Victor -Gate</b>, <i>situated at the exit of Verdun, in the direction of Metz, -Nancy, Toul, and Commercy (see <a href="#Page_56">p. 56</a>, and -<a href="#map014">plan between</a> pp. 30 and 31)</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig070"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig070.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">ST. VICTOR’S GATE</div> -</div> - -<h4>From the Place Mazel to St. Victor’s Gate</h4> - -<p class="h4sub">(<i>See <a href="#map014">plan between</a> pp. 30 -and 31</i>)</p> - -<p><i>Cross the St. Croix bridge, take the Rue de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, then the -Rue St. Sauveur, in which is the</i> <b>Hospice St. Catherine</b>.</p> - -<p>The <b>Hospice St. Catherine</b> was the birthplace of Bishop -St. Airy. According to tradition the Bishop, on receiving a visit -from Childebert II., caused his last barrel of wine to be brought -in. Giving thanks, he was miraculously able to satisfy the -deep-drinking Franks for several days. (<i>This legend is probably -connected with the planting of the vineyards in the region of -Verdun.</i>)</p> - -<p><i>Opposite the Church of St. Catherine is the</i> colonaded -front of the former <b>Congrégation Notre-Dame Monastery</b>, now a -school.</p> - -<p><i>Further on are the</i> <b>Church of St. Victor</b>, -Rustic-Gothic in style, <i>and the</i> <b>Gate</b> of the same name -(<i>photo above</i>).</p> - -<p><i>Stairs on the right of St. Victor’s Gate lead to the</i> -Citadelle Curtain 16, whence there is a fine view of the city.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig071"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig071.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE DOORWAY OF THE CONGRÉGATION NOTRE-DAME<br /> -(63 RUE DE L’HÔTEL-DE-VILLE)</div> -</div> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map017"> - <a href="images/map017_full.jpg"> - <img class="double" src="images/map017_thumbnail.jpg" - alt="" /> - </a><div class="caption">[Two-page map of the battlefield]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map017L"> -<img alt="" - src="images/map017_left.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The left-hand page of the battlefield map]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map017R"> -<img alt="" - src="images/map017_right.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The right-hand page of the battlefield map]</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a id="VISIT_TO_THE_BATTLEFIELD"></a>VISIT TO THE BATTLEFIELD</h2> - -<p>The following Itinerary is divided into two parts:</p> - -<p>1. The right bank of the Meuse, including the forts (Tavannes, Souville, -Vaux and Douaumont). <i>See <a href="#Page_57">pp. 57–87</a>.</i></p> - -<p>2. The left bank of the Meuse, including Cumières, Mort-Homme, Hill 304 -and Avocourt. <i>See <a href="#Page_88">pp. 88–111</a>.</i></p> - -<h3>1st ITINERARY: THE RIGHT BANK OF THE MEUSE AND THE FORTS</h3> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map016"> -<img alt="Map of the 1st itinerary" - src="images/map016.jpg" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig072"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig072.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">LEAVING VERDUN BY THE CHAUSSÉE GATE -(<i>see <a href="#Page_34">p. 34</a></i>).</div> -</div> - -<h4>I.—From Verdun to Tavannes Fort</h4> - -<p><i>Leave Verdun by the Chaussée Gate, cross the Meuse and the -fortified enclosure, and take the Rue d’Etain</i> (R. N. 18) -<i>on the left. Go up the Faubourg Pavé.</i> This road, used by the -relief troops in the Vaux-Douaumont sector, was heavily and continually -shelled until Verdun was finally cleared in December, 1916.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig073"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig073.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">MILITARY CEMETERY AT THE EXIT OF THE FAUBOURG PAVÉ.</div> -</div> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig074"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig074.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE INTERIOR OF TAVANNES FORT</div> -</div> - -<p><i>At the side of the Municipal Cemetery</i> (<i>on the left</i>) -is a Military Cemetery containing more than 5,000 graves -(<i><a href="#fig073">photo, p. 58</a></i>).</p> - -<p><i>Follow</i> N. 18 <i>for about six kilometers, then turn to the -left into the road leading to</i> <b>Tavannes Fort</b>, <i>situated -about a kilometer from the main road</i>.</p> - -<p><b>Tavannes Fort</b> dominates the ground behind the Vaux-Souville -line and the Etain-Verdun road. The Germans, in their effort to reach -Souville, sought by frequent bombardments to destroy the fort which -resisted stubbornly, but on May 7th a 17-inch shell destroyed one of -the arches and caused serious damage.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig075"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig075.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE SOUTHERN MOAT OF TAVANNES FORT</div> -</div> - -<p>Near the fort, on the Verdun-Etain railway, is the long <b>Tavannes -Tunnel</b>.</p> - -<p>Although the entrances were constantly shelled by enemy artillery, it -was used as a shelter for the reserves of the Vaux-Souville sector and as a -munitions depot. Bunks were fitted up in three superimposed rows, 300 to -450 feet in length, and separated by spaces, where numerous other troops slept -as they could on the ground. Despite the ventilating shafts, the air remained -foul, owing to the perspiration of the men and the rudimentary sanitary -arrangements. To complete the misery of the men, a grenade depot blew up -on the night of September 4th, causing many victims.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig076"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig076.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CAR COMING FROM TAVANNES FORT TAKES THE ROAD -ON THE RIGHT<br />TO VAUX FORT. THAT ON THE LEFT LEADS TO SOUVILLE -FORT</div> -</div> - -<h4>II.—From Tavannes Fort to Vaux Fort</h4> - -<p><i>Return to the road by which the fort was reached</i> (I.C.2) -<i>and turn into it on the right. About 300 yards further on, at -the fork (see photo above), take the right-hand road (the other leads -to Souville Fort).</i> On the left is the ravine which precedes the -entrance to Tavannes Tunnel. At first the road rises, then dips down to -Bourvaux Ravine. (<i>On the right the road to</i> Bourvaux Battery -<i>is visible</i>.) The road zig-zags, then scales Hill 349, -leading to Vaux Fort, after crossing through the woods of La Laufée and -Chenois, of which only a few broken, branchless trunks remain.</p> - -<p><b>Chenois and Laufée Woods and the Damloup Battery.</b>—Before and -after the fall of Vaux Fort, these positions were often attacked by the -Germans, especially in June, July and September, 1916.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig077"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig077.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE ROAD TO VAUX FORT - (<i>the latter is in the background</i>).</div> -</div> - -<p>From June 2nd to 4th the Damloup battery and its approaches, -defended by units of the 142nd and 52nd Line Regiments, repulsed sharp -German attacks and prevented the enemy from debouching from Damloup. -The defence of the battery lasted till July 2nd, the defenders, in -constantly diminishing numbers, being attacked and bombarded without -intermission. On July 3rd <span class="pagenum"><a -id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> a German attack, preceded by an intense -bombardment, resulted in the capture at about 1 p.m. of the -greater part of the battery, but the remnant of a French company held -its ground in the southern part of the work. At 3 p.m. only fifty -men of the company were left; at 8 p.m. twenty, but still they -hung on until an hour later they were reinforced by another company, -which succeeded in crossing the barrage. At two o’clock next -morning the French repulsed the enemy at the point of the bayonet and -recaptured the entire battery.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig078"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig078.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">LAUFÉE WOOD IN 1917</div> -</div> - -<p>After losing it on July 12th, the French retook the battery in a -bayonet charge on October 24th, while General Lardemelle’s division -recaptured Chenois Wood (<i>see <a href="#Page_19">p. 19</a></i>).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig079"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig079.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">CHENOIS WOOD IN 1917. VAUX FORT IS IN THE -BACKGROUND.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig080"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig080.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">VAUX FORT IN 1916 (<i>photographed from aeroplane</i>).</div> -</div> - -<p><b>Vaux Fort.</b>—Built of masonry about the year 1880, afterwards -of concrete, and finally of reinforced concrete, the fort was only -completed in 1911. Smaller and less powerful than Douaumont Fort, it -dominates the plateau to the south of Vaux Ravine and the reverse side -of Douaumont Plateau. Therein lies its importance. On March 9th -Germany announced triumphantly to the world that the VIth and XIXth -reserve regiments of Posen had “taken by assault the armoured Fort of -Vaux, as well as numerous neighbouring fortifications.”</p> - -<p>This communiqué was untrue. Two battalions of the XIXth regiment -of Posen had in reality gained a footing on Vaux Hill on March 9th, but they -were mown down at close range by French fire. As a matter of fact, three -months of uninterrupted costly effort were necessary before the Germans were -able to enter Vaux Fort.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map018"> -<img alt="" - src="images/map018.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">GERMAN ADVANCE ON MARCH 8 AND 9, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p>On March 10th and 11th, in four column formation, they attacked -the slopes leading to the fort. Literally mowed down, regiment after -regiment <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> left -heaps of dead and wounded in front of the French wire entanglements; -60 per cent. of the enemy effectives engaged melted away in -these two sanguinary days. After a terrific artillery preparation—five -times on March 16th and six times on March 18th—they again swarmed -up the slopes of the fort only to be thrown back with heavy loss. On -April 2nd the enemy sustained another check, but during the night -of June 2nd they reached the northern moat. While, on -June 4th and 5th, six of their divisions attempted unsuccessfully -to outflank the fort on the north by Fumin and on the south by Chenois -Wood, the battle continued to rage on the fort itself and in front of -the southern side.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig081"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig081.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">VAUX FORT. THE MOATS IN JUNE, 1916</div> -</div> - -<p>From March to June 2nd, the fort and its surroundings received -no less than 8,000 large calibre shells daily. Only one entrance was -left, <i>i.e.</i> the north-west postern, which enemy artillery fire -rendered unserviceable. The commander of the fort (Raynal) and his men -were imprisoned in the underground chambers of the fort, being no -longer able to hold their ground outside. To economise food and water, -the surplus contingents were ordered to leave the fort. On the night of -the 4th a first detachment made its escape under the direction of -Aspirant Buffet, who returned to the fort the next evening with orders. -The same night 100 more men managed to get away. Carrier pigeons and -optical signals now furnished the only means of communication with the -French lines. On the 4th, the last pigeon was released. On the morning -of the 5th, thanks to two signalmen who volunteered to change a <span -class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> signal post which -the Commandant had difficulty in observing, communications were -maintained. The same night the Commandant sent his last message that -could be read in its entirety, and which ended: “We have reached the -limit, officers and soldiers have done their duty. Long live France!” -Nevertheless, the fort continued to hold out and refused to surrender. -On the night of the 6th reinforcements tried to relieve it and reached -the moat of the counter-scarp, but after losing nearly all their -officers they were compelled to fall back. The Germans gained a footing -in the ruins of the superstructure, and eventually succeeded in driving -the French out of the casemates by lowering baskets of grenades with -retarded fuses and by using liquid fire and poison gas. Driven back -into the underground passages, the French continued the fight with -grenades and bayonets. The 2nd regiment of Zouaves and the -Colonial regiment of Morocco made a last effort on the morning of the -8th to relieve the garrison. They reached the approaches of the fort, -from which clouds of thick black smoke, caused by a violent explosion -in one of the casemates, were pouring. Exposed to the fire of the enemy -machine-guns installed in the superstructure of the fort and attacked -by constantly increasing reinforcements, they were unable to hold their -ground.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig082"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig082.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE APPROACHES TO VAUX FORT IN MARCH, 1916</div> -<div class="subcap1">The Fort is on the left at the back</div> -</div> - -<p>When, on the night of June 8th, after seven days and nights of -continual fighting, the heroic defenders of the fort were at last -overpowered, the unwounded among them had not tasted a drop of water -for two days.</p> - -<p>Five months later (November 2nd) the Germans were driven out of the -fort, which they hurriedly evacuated (<i>see -<a href="#Page_63">pp. 63–64</a></i>).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig083"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig083.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE SOUTH-WEST SIDE OF VAUX FORT</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig084"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig084.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE OLD ENTRANCE TO SOUVILLE FORT (Sept. 1916)</div> -</div> - -<h4>III.—From Vaux Fort to Souville Fort</h4> - -<p><i>On leaving Vaux Fort return along the same road to the fork -(photo, <a href="#Page_60">p. 60</a>) and turn to the right. About one -kilometer from the fork, on the left, the escarpments of</i> -<b>Souville Fort</b> border the road. <i>Go to the fort on foot (about -200 yards from the road).</i></p> - -<p><b>Souville Fort</b>, which stands as high as that of Douaumont, -commands the background of the Douaumont—Vaux line. After taking this -line, the enemy, from June 15th to 22nd, undertook the destruction -of the fort. On the 23rd the entire CIIIrd German Division attacked, -but was repulsed with very heavy losses in front of the French second -line trenches. The attack was renewed by two divisions on -July 11th and 12th, but failed to reach the moats of the fort.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig085"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig085.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">SOUVILLE FORT (<i>March 1917</i>).</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig086"> -<img alt="" id="panorama1" - src="images/fig086.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">PANORAMA SEEN FROM THE CROSS-ROADS AT THE CHAPEL - -OF ST. FINE (<i>entirely destroyed</i>).</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig086L"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig086_left.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The left-hand side of the above Panorama.]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Heights on left bank, -Froide-Terre Redoubt, -Froide-Terre Hill, -Road to Douaumont, -Thiaumont Redoubt, -Road to Douaumont]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig086R"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig086_right.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The right-hand side of the above Panorama]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Douaumont Fort, -Hardoumont Wood, -Vaux Ravine, -Hill 349, -Chapitre Wood, -Vaux Fort]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map019"> -<img alt="" src="images/map019.jpg" /> -<div class="narrowcaption"> -The “+” on the sketch-map above shows the spot from where the panorama -should be viewed. The car in the photo came from Souville Fort, -turning to the right towards Vaux Village.</div> -</div> - -<p><i>After visiting the village return to the cross-roads and take -the road on the right to Douaumont, seen on the left half of the above -<a href="#fig086">panorama</a> (p. 66). The bombardments have left -no trace of St. Fine Chapel.</i></p> - -<h4>IV.—From Souville Fort to Vaux Village and Pond</h4> - -<p><i>After visiting Souville Fort return to the cross-ways at -St. Fine Chapel, seen in the above photo.</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig087"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig087.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">ATTACKING WAVES OF INFANTRY CROSSING FUMIN WOOD -(<i>Oct. 1916</i>).</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> It was the -ruins of this chapel that the enemy reached on July 12th, 1916, -and that the 2nd regiment of Zouaves, at the order of General Mangin, -recaptured in order to relieve Souville Fort.</p> - -<p><i>At the cross-roads, take the</i> I. C. 12 <i>on the -right to Vaux village. The road dips down into a gorge between the -woods of Le Chapitre and Fumin.</i></p> - -<p><b>Chapitre and Fumin Woods.</b>—To the west and east of the road -leading to Vaux village, these two woods cover the flanks of the -plateau which dominates Vaux Ravine and supports Vaux Fort. It was -there that the Germans sought to outflank the fort on the west to reach -Souville, but they were held in check during May. From June, 1916, -these woods were subjected to bombardments of incredible intensity. A -powerful German attack on June 23rd failed, but another on -July 12th enabled the Germans to get a footing in Fumin Wood. In -August and September frequent enemy attacks gave them temporary local -gains. On October 24th and 25th, and again at the end of the -month, French counter-attacks captured the enemy strongholds and -cleared the woods completely.</p> - -<p>The defence of the “R” outworks by the 101st line regiment was -intimately connected with the attacks on Fumin Wood and Vaux Fort. -These outworks were at the foot of the slopes of Fumin Wood, about -half-way between the village and fort of Vaux. Bombarded by heavy guns -on June 1st and 2nd, it was unsuccessfully attacked by the enemy -at 8 p.m. on the evening of the 2nd. Twice on the 3rd and once on -the 4th the French, reinforced by a few units, although deprived of -water and subjected to machine-gun fire on the flank, repulsed new -German attacks. A company of the 298th which, on the night of the 5th, -relieved that of the 101st (reduced to 39 men), held out three days -more under increasingly difficult conditions, and was only overpowered -on the night of the 8th after the capture of the fort of Vaux. These -positions were recaptured during the French offensive of October 2nd. -1916. The works known as the “Petit Dépôt,” “Fulda Boyau,” and -“Sablière,” bristling with machine-guns and scarcely touched by the -French artillery preparation, offered a stubborn resistance, and were -only captured by the 74th Division in the evening after a whole -day of exceedingly hard fighting.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig088"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig088.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">DEFENCE WORKS IN VAUX VILLAGE (<i>January, -1916</i>).</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig089"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig089.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">WHERE VAUX VILLAGE (<i>entirely destroyed</i>) -STOOD BEFORE THE WAR.</div> -<div class="subcap">(<i>Photo, April 20th, 1917.</i>)</div> -</div> - -<p><b>Vaux-les-Damloup.</b>—From March 8th the Germans sought to -enter this village from the Woevre. The 1st battalion of their -XIXth regiment of Reserves, believing it to be empty, was -well-nigh exterminated. On the 10th, after a nine-hour night -bombardment with torpedoes, units of the XVth and XVIIIth C.A. -attacked the village. Although numbering more than six to one, it was -only after four successive attacks that they gained a footing in the -ruins of a block of houses behind the church. Soon after they advanced -as far as the ruins of the church. Five times they sought to debouch, -but were each time literally mowed down by the fire of the French -machine-guns and mountain batteries. After two costly checks on -March 16th and 18th the Germans again attacked on the evening of -the 30th, but it was only three days later and at the cost of very -heavy casualties that they were able to take and keep the village.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig090"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig090.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">VAUX POND (<i>March 1917</i>).</div> -</div> - -<p>The road comes to an end at Vaux Pond. The village extended beyond -the wooden foot-bridge seen in the photo. No trace of it is left, and -the tourist will look in vain for any indication in the desolate waste -around him of this erstwhile picturesque and flourishing village. It -has literally been wiped out.</p> - -<p><i>Turn the car round 100 yards from the pond, at the place -where a narrow-gauge rail-track formerly ran (see photo below).</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig091"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig091.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">VAUX POND IS THE EXTREME POINT WHICH CAN BE -REACHED BY MOTOR-CARS.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig092"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig092.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE SOUTHERN OUTSKIRTS OF FLEURY AFTER -THE FRENCH<br />COUNTER-ATTACK OF JUNE 25TH, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<h4>V.—From Vaux Village to Douaumont Fort</h4> - -<p>After turning the car round at Vaux Pond, return by the same road -to the cross-ways at St. Fine Chapel (<i>see -<a href="#Page_66">pp. 66</a> and <a href="#Page_67">67</a></i>), -continue another fifty yards, then take on the right the road to -Douaumont.</p> - -<p>About 500 yards farther on is the site of what was the village of -<b>Fleury-devant-Douaumont</b>.</p> - -<p>From June 21st to September 30th, 1916, the village was -often disputed. After violently bombarding it from June 21st to -23rd, four German Alpine regiments carried it, pushing forward to the -south of the Fleury-Vaux railway where the French 75’s checked them -with very heavy loss. On the 24th–25th the French reoccupied the -eastern part of the village. On the 27th two battalions of the French -241st line regiment entered Fleury, but were soon driven out, -after which they clung to the southern and western parts. The enemy -bombardment of July 9th–10th levelled the village. On the 11th, picked -German troops attacked and outflanked it on the south. -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> French -counter-attacks succeeded on the following days in driving the Germans -back somewhat, 800 prisoners being taken in ten days. On -August 2nd–3rd the village was reoccupied and 1,350 more prisoners -taken. It was lost, then partly retaken on August 5th at the point -of the bayonet. Two weeks of constant grenade fighting, from hole to -hole, by battalions of Alpine Chasseurs from Alsace, carried all that -remained of the trenches adjoining the positions “Trois Arbres” and -“Montbrison.” On August 17th the Moroccan Colonial Regiment -finished the conquest of the village with their usual dash.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig093"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig093.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">FLEURY. THE GRANDE RUE IN JULY, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p><i>In the ruins of Fleury, on the right, there is a road which, -after passing through Caillette Wood, comes to an end about 400 yards -from</i> <b>Douaumont Fort</b>. <i>The latter can be reached from here -on foot.</i></p> - -<p><i>One kilometer after the ruins of Fleury the road divides. Take the right-hand -one, the other leads to Bras by the northern slopes of Froide-Terre Hill.</i></p> - -<p>The uphill road follows the ridge, at the end of which is Douaumont Fort, -then passes south of <b>Thiaumont Redoubt</b>.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig094"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig094.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">FLEURY IN RUINS, OCTOBER, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p><b>Thiaumont Redoubt</b>, S.W. of Douaumont Fort, dominating -Froide-Terre Hill and the Bras road to the W., and the Fleury road to -the S., formed the left extremity of the last but one line of -resistance which passed in front of Verdun, <i>via</i> the village of -Fleury and the forts of Souville and Tavannes. For five months -(May–September, 1916), which saw some of the hardest fighting in the -battle of Verdun, the Germans wore themselves down against this line. -Neither the repeated furious attacks, nor poison gas, nor the -incredibly intense bombardments could break the resistance of the -French, who clung desperately to their positions.</p> - -<p><i>A little further on the road passes the site of</i> <b>Thiaumont -Farm</b>, <i>all traces of which were swept away by the -battle</i>.</p> - -<p><b>Thiaumont Farm</b>, captured on June 1st, was reconquered on -the 2nd. The enemy occupied the ruins on the 9th, after their big -attack of the previous day. On the 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th they -sustained four serious checks in front of the defences. Exasperated at -the French resistance, they deluged the positions and those of -Froide-Terre, on the 21st, with poison gas and more than 100,000 -shells. At 6 o’clock on the morning of the 23rd five Bavarian regiments -attacked, but although they reached the defences of <span -class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> Froide-Terre, they -were unable to hold them. However, those of Thiaumont remained in their -hands. In a magnificent attack on June 30th, and despite enemy -cross-fire, the French 248th line regiment reoccupied Thiaumont at -noon, lost it at four o’clock, but recaptured it again the next -day and kept it until relieved, in spite of furious German -counter-attacks. From July 4th to 9th Thiaumont was retaken and -lost four times by the Germans, but a fifth attack enabled them to hold -it. Fighting around the defences was continual during the rest of the -month. From August 1st to 4th the French 96th line regiment, -supported by the 122nd, reconquered Thiaumont and its approaches. From -the 4th to the 8th it was defended by the 81st, but on the evening of -the 8th, after losing and retaking it, they were driven out by a -powerful German attack. Since June 23rd Thiaumont had changed -hands sixteen times.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig095"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig095.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THIAUMONT REDOUBT OCCUPIED BY THE FRENCH IN MAY, -1916</div> -<div class="subcap3 left indent"> -The Central Shelter having been pierced by a shell on May 6th, -the Redoubt was afterwards only used as an Artillery Observation-Post. -The Entrance Trench in the foreground was each day -levelled by enemy shells, only to be re-made during the night. -</div> -</div> - -<p>From the middle of August the French command changed their tactics. -Abandoning the costly direct attacks, the redoubt was gradually encircled. -On October 24th Moroccan Colonial troops, Zouaves and Tirailleurs, in a -dashing grenade and bayonet attack, recaptured Douaumont, the Farm and -Redoubt of Thiaumont and the Dame and neighbouring ravines.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig096"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig096.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THIAUMONT REDOUBT IN RUINS OCCUPIED BY THE -GERMANS A MONTH LATER</div> -<div class="caption2">BARBED-WIRE ENTANGLEMENT IN FRONT OF THE FRENCH LINE</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map020"> -<img alt="" src="images/map020.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE APPROACHES TO DOUAUMONT FORT AND VILLAGE.</div> - -<div class="caption"><b>a</b> <img alt="" class="fan" -src="images/fan01.jpg" /> The upper <a href="#fig102">photo on -p. 78</a>, <b>Dame Ravine</b>, was taken from here.</div> - -<div class="caption"><b>b</b> <img alt="" class="fan" src="images/fan01.jpg" /> - The lower <a href="#fig106">photo on p. 80</a>, <b>Helly Ravine</b>, - was taken from here.</div> -</div> - -<p><i>Leave the car at Thiaumont Farm and go on foot to Douaumont Fort, following -the temporary narrow-gauge line for about 1,300 yards. These rails follow the -old road which was entirely destroyed.</i></p> - -<h4>DOUAUMONT FORT</h4> - -<p class="h4sub">(<i>See <a href="#fig020">photo, p. 29</a>.</i>)</p> - -<p>This modern stronghold, which the Crown Prince called “the -N.E. angular pillar of the permanent fortifications of Verdun,” -occupies at Hill 388 the culminating point of the hard limestone -plateau which forms the region of Verdun. Lying between Bras Ravine -(which descends towards the W. and the Meuse) and Vaux or Bazil -Ravine (extending towards the E. and the Woevre), the fort dominates -the entire region. As the key of the battlefield it was fiercely -disputed.</p> - -<p>Before the battle of 1916 it was only bombarded twice by the German -artillery. Of the 250 shells fired at it early in November, 1914, 170 -reached the mark without, however, causing serious damage. The few -8-inch shells received on March 29th, 1915, did no damage -whatever.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig097"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig097.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">DOUAUMONT FORT IN JANUARY, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p>On February 25th, 1916, almost at the beginning of the battle, -units of the German XXIVth Infantry Regiment (IIIrd Brandenburgers), -wearing French Zouave uniforms, surprised and occupied the fort. On the -morning of the 26th the French 153rd D.I. (20th C.) -counter-attacked fiercely five times, advancing their line beyond the -fort and surrounding the enemy on three <span class="pagenum"><a -id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> sides. Thanks, however, to a -communicating trench connecting up with their lines, the enemy were -able to keep their ground. From the 26th to the 29th they furiously -attacked the approaches of the fort without being able to surround it. -A redoubt, 200 yards E. of the fort, was alternately lost and -recaptured three times on the 26th. From March 8th to -May 19th the fighting continued with varying fortune.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map021"> -<img alt="" src="images/map021.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE FRONT ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 26TH (26/2),<br /> -AFTER THE GERMANS HAD OCCUPIED THE FORT BY<br /> -SURPRISE, AND ON THE MORNING OF THE 27TH<br /> -(27/2), AFTER THE FRENCH COUNTER-ATTACK.</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig098"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig098.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE ENTRANCE TO DOUAUMONT FORT IN JANUARY, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p>From the 19th to the 22nd French heavy guns bombarded the fort, the -explosion of a shell on the 20th causing hundreds of victims. To hamper -the enemy Intelligence Service six of their observation balloons were -destroyed by a French flying squadron on the morning of the 22nd. At -11.50 the 10th Brigade (5th D.I.) attacked the fort and its -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75">[Pg75]</a></span> -approaches. At noon the 129th line regiment occupied the N. and -N.W. corners of the fort. The 74th regiment was unable to -take the N.E. corner, but the 36th succeeded in capturing all the -trenches west of the Fort. During the night and all the next day the -enemy intensified their bombardment and increased the number of their -counter-attacks, without breaking through the defences of the -10th Brigade, which maintained all its gains until relieved on the -night of the 23rd. Exasperated at this check, the Germans, on the 24th, -engaged no less than an army corps of reinforcements and retook the -fort.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig099"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig099.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE INTERIOR OF THE FORT ON MAY 22ND, 1916,<br /> -THREE HOURS AFTER THE ATTACK.</div> -<div class="subcap">French Infantry and Sappers in a trench hurriedly -made around an outwork <br />of masonry still held by the enemy with -machine-guns.</div> -</div> - -<p>Five months later (October 24th) they lost it again after a heavy -bombardment and attack, during which a French 16-inch shell pierced -the superstructure of the fort and started a fire. A dense fog -overhung the fort when, at 11.40 a.m., the signal for the attack, -directed by General Mangin, was given. When, at about 2.30 p.m. the -fog lifted, French observers perceived the Moroccan Colonials of the -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> -Nicolaï battalion scaling the ruins of the fort. On arriving there, -the latter found units of the 321st line regiment which, operating -<i>in liaison</i> on their right, had preceded them and already -hoisted the French flag on the ruins of the fort. Two sappers of the -19-2 Co. of Engineers slipped into the basement of the fort, and with -the aid of four Colonials captured twenty-four German soldiers, four -officers, two guns and three machine-guns in one of the counter-scarp -shelters. Other enemy soldiers in one of the casemates surrendered, -with the German commander of the fort, on the night of the 24th. The -next morning the entire fort, together with a great quantity of arms, -munitions and foodstuffs, was in the hands of the French. Four enemy -counter-attacks on the 26th failed to retake it.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig100"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig100.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">SOLDIERS OF THE MOROCCAN COLONIAL REGT.<br /> -OCCUPYING THE MOATS OF THE RECONQUERED FORT</div> -<div class="subcap">(photographed on the morning of -Oct. 25th, 1916, the day after the victory)</div> -</div> - -<p>On the night of the 24th a sergeant of the 4th Zouaves -captured, unaided, a German company and six officers. Returning from -revictualling duty, he was taken prisoner by some Germans occupying a -shelter near the fort Coolly informing them that Douaumont and Damloup -Battery had fallen, he called on them to surrender. The attitude of the -sergeant was so convincing that after some hesitation they laid down -their arms and were brought into the French lines.</p> - -<p>Douaumont was entirely cleared on December 15th by the -37th D.I., which fought a hard battle in the woods before the -village. Having learned the time of the attack, the Germans were on -their guard, but after a furious combat the 2nd Tirailleurs drove -back the VIth Prussian Grenadiers and crossed Helly Ravine -(<i>(<a href="#fig106">photo, p. 80</a></i>).</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><b>Hardaumont</b> and <b>Caillette Woods</b> and <b>Douaumont -Village</b> <i>may be visited, on foot from the fort of -Douaumont</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The plateau E. and S.E. of Douaumont Fort ends in wooded slopes, -which overhang Vaux (Basil) Ravine. That furthest to the E. contains -Hardaumont Wood, while on the most western slope is Caillette Wood. The -Germans who, on March 8th and 9th, had taken Hardaumont Redoubt, -only entered Caillette Wood on April 2nd, after four days’ attacks -with asphyxiating gas and liquid fire. Despite a night march <span -class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> of eleven miles, the -74th line regiment (5th D.I.) attacked the enemy vigorously -on the morning of April 3rd. On April 3rd, 4th and 5th the -French retook the wood, bit by bit. On the 15th three battalions of the -36th line regiment and units of the 120th threw back the enemy between -Caillette and Fausse-Côte ravines, while on the 19th the -81st Brigade enlarged these gains. From the 24th to the 26th the -Germans tried in vain to advance. On June 1st they engaged two and a -half divisions before they were able to occupy the greater part of -Caillette Wood. Moreover, their success was only temporary, for on -October 24th the French Division of General Passaga (“La -Gauloise”) drove them definitely out of Caillette Wood and partly from -that of Hardaumont. Nearly two enemy divisions were put out of action -and seventeen field guns, twenty-five heavy guns, including two of long -range, and numerous trench mortars were captured. The reconquest of -Hardaumont Wood was completed on December 15th by the same -division which captured “Lorient” and Hardaumont Redoubts.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig101"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig101.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">RUINS OF DOUAUMONT VILLAGE AND CHURCH.</div> -</div> - -<p><b>Douaumont Village</b>, situated below and 500 yards to the W. of -the fort, was almost encircled on the evening of February 25th, -but Zouaves and Tirailleurs extricated it. From the 25th to the 28th -the Vth German D.I. made five furious attacks, but were unable to -break down the resistance of the 95th line regiment and units of -the 153rd D.I. which were defending the village. On -March 2nd, after a preliminary bombardment which destroyed the -village and isolated the battalion holding it, the CXIIIth German -D.I., wearing French helmets, attacked at 1.15 p.m. on the N. and -E. The French machine-gunners soon discovered the trick, however, and -mowed them down. After a second bombardment the enemy again attacked, -overwhelming the defenders, one company of whom resisted to the last -man.</p> - -<p>The remains of the French battalion took their stand fifty yards S.W. -of the village and prevented the enemy from debouching. On the 3rd two -battalions of the 172nd and 174th line regiments retook the village at the -point of the bayonet. During the night the Germans counter-attacked -twice unsuccessfully with heavy loss, 800 dead being counted in front of -one of the French trenches. On the 4th a third and more powerful counter-attack -succeeded in driving the French from the village, but broke down -against new positions 200 yards to the south. The French were compelled -to fall back in May and June, but returned victorious to the ruined village -on October 24th.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig102"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig102.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">DAME RAVINE.</div> -<div class="subcap">The road from Thiaumont to Bras follows it, ending -at Haudromont Quarries (<i>see Itinerary, -<a href="#Page_57">p. 57</a></i>). The tree-stumps in the foreground -formed part of Chauffour Wood.</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig103"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig103.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">POSITION OF GERMAN BATTERY DESTROYED IN CHAUFFOUR WOOD.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig104"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig104.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">HAUDROMONT QUARRIES IN SEPTEMBER, 1917.</div> -</div> - -<h4>VI.—From Douaumont Fort to Bras and Samogneux</h4> - -<p><i>A down-hill road leads direct from Douaumont Village to Thiaumont Farm, -where the tourist will take his car again.</i></p> - -<p><i>Follow the road, which turns to the left and passes through Dame Ravine.</i> -On all sides the chaotic waste testifies to the terrible hammering which this -region received from the guns (<i>see <a href="#fig102">photo, p. 78</a>, -and <a href="#map020">map, p. 73</a></i>).</p> - -<p><i>The tourist leaves</i> <b>Chauffour Wood</b> <i>on his right</i> -(<i><a href="#fig102">photos, p. 78</a></i>).</p> - -<p>This wood extends to the north of the road and approaches to within -a few hundred yards of Douaumont on the west. The CVth German Infantry -was cut to pieces here on the morning of February 26th, 1916, and -on March 2nd the XXIst German Division suffered a similar -fate there. During a powerful attack around Douaumont on -April 16th the Germans occupied a small salient S. of the wood, -but were soon after partially driven out, while on December 17th -the wood was entirely cleared of them by the Zouaves and Tirailleurs of -the 38th D.I. The enemy’s efforts to retake it and Albain Wood to -the S.W. were unsuccessful.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>Continue to descend</i>; <b>Haudromont Quarries</b> <i>will be -reached shortly afterwards</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Around these positions, which dominate the ravine debouching at the -stream near Bras, furious indecisive fighting took place, more -especially on March 18th, April 22nd and May 8th, 9th, -10th, 22nd, 26th and 27th, 1916. They were finally taken on -October 24th by the French 11th line regiment.</p> - -<p>Fighting was very bitter around the quarries, which form a rough oblong -200 to 300 yards long, fifty to sixty yards wide, visible from afar on account -of their white colour. The enemy had cut galleries, casemates and shelters -in the chalky soil, the whole forming a redoubtable position. After encircling -the quarries, the French captured them with grenades.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig105"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig105.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">HAUDROMONT WOOD IN MARCH, 1917</div> -</div> - -<p><i>At the bottom of the hill, opposite and below</i> <b>Haudromont -Quarries</b>, <i>tourists desirous of visiting</i> <b>Helly Ravine</b> -(<i>see photo below, and map, <a href="#map020">map, p. 73</a></i>), -which was the scene of terrible fighting during the offensive of -December, 1916 (<i><a href="#Page_20">pp. 20–21</a></i>), <i>should -turn to the right for about 300 yards</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>Return to the starting-point and continue straight along the</i> -<b>Bras Road</b>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>On the right the tourist comes to the uphill road to</i> -<b>Louvemont</b>, <i>which crosses the southern slopes of Poivre -Hill. This road is impracticable for carriages beyond -Louvemont.</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig106"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig106.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">HELLY RAVINE (<i>photographed in May, 1919</i>).</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig107"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig107.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">ROAD FROM LOUVEMONT TO ORNES</div> -<div class="subcap">(Farthest point accessible to motor-cars in May, 1919)</div> -</div> - -<h4>Louvemont and Poivre Hill</h4> - -<p>At 2.20 p.m. on February 24th, strong enemy forces -debouched between <b>Louvemont</b> and <b>Hill 347</b>. During the -night the first French reinforcements, belonging to the 20th C.A., -repulsed them. On the 25th, the enemy, in dense formation, outflanked -the village on the W. and E. They were checked several times by units -of the 37th D.I. and artillery fire, but succeeded in entering the -village at 3 p.m., after having practically levelled it by shell -fire.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig108"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig108.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">LOUVEMONT VILLAGE IN APRIL, 1917.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig109"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig109.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">FROIDE-TERRE REDOUBT IN 1915</div> -</div> - -<p>Zouaves, who were still clinging to the outskirts, ran short of -ammunition, but on being reinforced by a battalion of Tirailleurs with -50,000 cartridges, continued with the latter to defend the -S.E. approaches of the village until the morrow.</p> - -<p>Owing to their heavy losses, the French 37th D.I. was compelled -to fall back, but the fire from a hundred 75 mm. guns concentrated -at Froide-Terre held the Germans in check and prevented their -debouching from the village. The French 39th D.I. promptly took up -positions in front of the 37th, between Poivre Hill and the Meuse, and -barred the road to Bras. Louvemont and its approaches were brilliantly -retaken during the French offensive of December 15th, 1916. While -a brigade of the 126th D.I. captured Hill 342 in several -rushes, the 4th Moroccan Brigade of the 38th D.I., in a -running attack, carried the first and second enemy lines, Louvemont and -Hill 347, as well as a fortified cavern known as the camp du -Henrias, before which one of the victors of Douaumont, Major Nicolaï, -was killed.</p> - -<p>On August 20th, 1917, four successive lines of trenches were -taken by the French 165th D.I., in an attack to the north of -Louvemont.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>On leaving Louvemont, return by the same way to the Bras Road and take it -on the right. Bras village is reached shortly afterwards, where the Itinerary -follows the Meuse Valley and</i> N. 64.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><b>Bras.</b>—The Prussians camped here in 1792, during the occupation of -Verdun.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig110"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig110.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE LAST TRAIN TO PASS AT THE FOOT OF POIVRE HILL -IN 1916.<br />IT WAS WRECKED BY ENEMY ARTILLERY</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig111"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig111.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">BRAS VILLAGE AND POIVRE HILL IN SEPT, 1917</div> -</div> - -<p>In 1916 the Germans could not capture it, although they took Poivre -Hill which dominates the village to the N.</p> - -<p>After several checks (<i>e.g.</i> February 25th and -March 9th) they occupied Poivre Hill and Vacherauville, but were -unable to dislodge the French from the woods to the S.E.</p> - -<p>From March, they organised a network of barbed-wire entanglements, -concrete galleries, redoubts, shelters, etc., on the hill, converting -it into a kind of fortress, but on December 15th the village and -hill were rushed by the 112th line regiment in three-column -formation, covered on the left by a fourth column and supported by -auto-cannon. Veritable bastion, overlooking the Beaumont road and -flanking the entire German line, the village could only be captured by -surprise, and the latter was complete. German officers were taken in -their shelters while dressing. The attack had not been expected before -noon or later than 2 p.m. The village was conquered in ten -minutes, and Poivre Hill in seven minutes, in a single rush.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>From Bras continue northwards to</i> Vacherauville and -Samogneux, where the first German attacks at the beginning of the -battle of Verdun took place, (<i>see Itinerary -<a href="#Page_57">p. 57</a>.</i>)</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig112"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig112.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">RUINS OF BRAS CHURCH, WHOSE TOWER COLLAPSED</div> -<div class="subcap">(<i>Photographed in April, 1917</i>)</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map022"> -<img alt="" src="images/map022.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE GERMAN ADVANCE ON FEB. 24TH, 1916</div> -</div> - -<p><b>Vacherauville</b>, entirely destroyed, <i>is reached soon -afterwards. Leave on the right the road to Beaumont and take, a little -further on, that leading to Champneuville, which brings the tourist to -the top of</i> <b>Talou Hill</b>, <i>from where the panoramic view on -<a href="#Page_86">pp. 86</a> <a href="#Page_87">and 87</a> was taken</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Situated in a long bend of the Meuse, <b>Talou Hill</b> gradually -slopes down to the water’s edge. On February 25th the enemy -reached this hill which, caught between the fire from both banks, -became equally untenable for the French and Germans, and from February -27th was considered as a neutral zone. It was retaken by the French in -their offensive of August 20th, 1917, at the same time as the -villages of Neuville, Champneuville and Champ.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><b>Samogneux</b> <i>may be reached from Talou Hill, either by -continuing, via Champneuville (see outline map, -<a href="#Page_87">p. 87</a>), or by returning to the</i> -R. N. 64.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig113"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig113.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">VACHERAUVILLE. THE APPROACHES TO THE VILLAGE ON -DEC. 20TH, 1916</div> -</div> - -<p>Subjected to an infernal shell-fire on February 22nd and 23rd -<b>Samogneux</b> had to be abandoned by the French on the evening of -the latter date. It was retaken by the 126th D.I. on -August 21st, <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85">[Pg -85]</a></span> during the French offensive of August, 1917, <i>i.e.</i> -two days in advance of the scheduled date -(<i>see <a href="#Page_23">p. 23</a></i>).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig114"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig114.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CENTRE OF SAMOGNEUX VILLAGE ON THE N. 46, -IN MAY, 1919.</div> -<div class="subcap">The village was entirely levelled.</div> -</div> - -<p>E. of Samogneux and dominating the road from Vacherauville to -Beaumont rises <b>Hill 344</b>, which, together with Samogneux and -Beaumont, fell into the hands of the enemy in 1916. It was retaken -during the French offensive of August 20th, 1917, by regiments -belonging to the 123rd and 126th D.I. These were almost -immediately relieved by the 14th D.I., which for three weeks -withstood violent enemy counter-attacks without flinching. On -September 9th, in particular, it repulsed an attack by several -German divisions which had orders to retake Hill 344 at all -costs.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig115"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig115.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">SAMOGNEUX CHURCH IN AUG., 1915.</div> -</div> - -<p><i>Return to Bras by the same road.</i></p> - -<h4>VII.—From Bras to Verdun</h4> - -<p><i>From Bras take N 64 towards</i> <b>Verdun</b>. <i>The road winds -across the western slopes of</i> <b>Belleville Fort</b>. <i>At the top -of the hill, take the road on the left (leaving the down-hill road to -Verdun).</i></p> - -<p><i>The road (IC 2) passes by</i> <b>Belleville Fort</b> <i>and -along the top of the hill, which formed the last permanent line of -resistance, from, N.E. of Verdun to</i> <b>St. Michel Fort</b>.</p> - -<p><i>From</i> <b>St. Michel Fort</b> <i>there is a fine run down</i> -<b>St. Michel Hill</b> <i>to Verdun which enter by the</i> <b>Rue -d’Elain</b> <i>and</i> <b>Chaussée Gate</b>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig116"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig116.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE MEUSE VALLEY SEEN FROM THE -TOP OF TALOU HILL.</div> -<div class="subcap">(<i>Consider the four parts from left to right, -across both pages;<br /> the top half fits on to the left of the -bottom half.</i>)</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig117"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig117.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[Panoramic view of the Meuse Valley seen from the -top of Talou Hill (1)]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Hill 275, -Chattancourt-Esnes Road, -Hill 304, -Chattancourt Village, -Mort-Homme, -Champ-Village.]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig118"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig118.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[Panoramic view of the Meuse Valley seen from the -top of Talou Hill (2)]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Oie Hill, -Cumières Hill, -Montfaucon.]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig119"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig119.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[Panoramic view of the Meuse Valley seen from the -top of Talou Hill (3)]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Forges Wood, -End of Oie Hill, -River Meuse.]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig120"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig120.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[Panoramic view of the Meuse Valley seen from the -top of Talou Hill (4)]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Heights of Sivry-on-the-Meuse, -Consonvoye, -Brabant, -Verdun–Consonvoye Road, -Samogneux.]</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map023"> -<img alt="" src="images/map023.jpg" /> -<div class="subcap5">From this spot on the road from -Vacherauville to Champneuville [marked by the fan-shaped symbol above -the ‘o’ of ‘Panorama’] there is a general view of the lines from which -the German Offensive started, and of the battlefield on the left bank -of the river.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map024"> - <a href="images/map024_full.png"> - <img class="double" src="images/map024_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" /></a> -<div class="caption">[2nd Itinerary: The Left Bank of the Meuse]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map024L"> -<img alt="" - src="images/map024_left.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The left-hand side of the 2nd-itinerary map]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map024R"> -<img alt="" - src="images/map024_right.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The right-hand side of the 2nd-itinerary map]</div> -</div> - -<h3>2nd ITINERARY: THE LEFT BANK OF THE MEUSE</h3> - -<p class="h3sub smaller">including Cumières, Oie Hill, Mort-Homme, -Montfaucon, Hill 304, and Avocourt (<i>see description, -<a href="#Page_90">pp. 90–111</a></i>)</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig121"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig121.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CHURCH AND MAIN STREET OF CHARNY IN JANUARY, -1916</div> -</div> - -<h4>I.—From Verdun to Charny</h4> - -<p><i>Leave Verdun by the Porte de France; after the railway bridge go -straight along</i> G. C. 38 <i>(see <a href="#map014">plan between -pp. 30–31</a>). Cross the Faubourg de Jardin-Fontaine, then Thierville -village. Facing it is</i> M<span class="smaller">ARRE</span> F<span -class="smaller">ORT</span>. <i>At the foot of the hill on which the -fort stands, turn to the right. Leaving on the left the ruined</i> -farm of Willers-les-Moines, <i>the road climbs up the small</i> -Hill 243, <i>below which is the</i> strongly fortified <b>Charny -Redoubt</b>.</p> - -<p>On the other side of the level-crossing is <b>Charny</b>. It was at -Charny that the Germans crossed the Meuse in 1870. Incidentally, they -shot the former notary, M. Violard, under the pretext that he had -aided an attack by the francs-tireurs of Verdun. In 1916, the village -was frequently bombarded by the enemy, particularly on -March 31st.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig122"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig122.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CHURCH AND MAIN STREET OF CHARNY SEEN FROM THE -OTHER SIDE IN MAY, 1919</div> -<div class="subcap">On the horizon: Poivre Hill</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig123"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig123.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">MARRE VILLAGE IN RUINS.</div> -<div class="subcap">Beyond the Church take the road on the right to -Cumières. That on the left, leading to Bourrus Woods, is impracticable -for cars.</div> -</div> - -<h4>II.—From Charny to Cumières</h4> - -<p><i>Return to the level crossing, then turn to the right on leaving -Charny. The road skirts the northern slopes of the hills on which -stands the</i> modern forts of <b>Vacherauville</b>, <b>Marre</b> and -<b>Bourrus Woods</b>.</p> - -<p><i>Cross through Marre village, in ruins. Beyond the ruined church -follow the right-hand road (photo above) to</i> -<b>Cumières</b>. <i>Half-way between Marre and Cumières are (on the -right) the station of</i> <b>Chattancourt</b>, <i>(on the left) the -road leading to that village</i>.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig124"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig124.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">CUMIÈRES IN MAY, 1916</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - -<p>Attacked on March 14th and destroyed by shell-fire on April 25th, -<b>Cumières</b> was only captured by the Germans on the night of -May 23rd. Three days later the French retook the eastern portion after a -desperate combat. On May 29th and 30th, after two days of continual -bombardment, they were momentarily driven back towards Chattancourt, -but a vigorous counter-attack brought them back to the southern -outskirts of the village. Caurettes Wood, to the S.W. of Cumières, -remained, however, in the enemy’s hands.</p> - -<p>On August 20th, 1917, Cumières village and wood were retaken by a -regiment of the Légion Étrangère, who attacked singing the famous popular -song “La Madelon.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig125"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig125.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">CUMIÈRES IN AUGUST, 1917.</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig126"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig126.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE RIGHT BANK OF THE MEUSE -SEEN FROM OIE HILL<br />(<i>see</i> Outline Map below)</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map025"> -<img alt="Outline map of the above panorama." - src="images/map025.jpg" /> -<div class="caption"></div> -</div> - -<p><i>From</i> <b>Cumières</b> <i>continue straight ahead to Oie Hill, -from where the above panoramic view was taken</i>.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig127"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig127.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The left-hand side of the panoramic view shown above]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Haumont Wood, -Oie Hill, -Samogneux, -River Meuse, -National Road No. 64, -Poivre Hill, -Talou Hill.]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig128"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig128.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The right-hand side of the panoramic view shown above]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Champneuville, -Road from Champneuville to Vacherauville, -Froide-Terre Hill, -Champ. Village, -Vacherauville Fort.]</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig129"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig129.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">CHATTANCOURT ON MAY 16TH, 1916.</div> -<div class="subcap">On the horizon: The slopes of Mort-Homme.</div> -</div> - -<h4>III.—From Cumières to Chattancourt and Mort-Homme</h4> - -<p><i>On leaving Cumières return to the Station of Chattancourt, and take on the -right the road to</i> <b>Chattancourt</b>, which is about 800 yards further on. This -village was completely levelled (<i>photo below</i>).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig130"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig130.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">CHATTANCOURT IN 1919.</div> -<div class="subcap">Nothing remains of the houses and trees. The road -seen in<br /> the above photo leads to Mort-Homme.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map026"> -<img alt="" - src="images/map026.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE GERMAN ATTACKS OF MARCH 5TH–14TH,<br /> 1916, -ON THE LEFT BANK OF THE MEUSE</div> -</div> - -<p><i>From Chattancourt the positions of</i> <b>Mort-Homme</b> <i>may -be visited by the road to Béthincourt (the lower -<a href="#fig130">photograph on p. 94</a> shows the beginning of this -road)</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>Motor-cars can go as far as the top of</i> <b>Hill 295</b> -<i>or</i> <b>Mort-Homme</b>, <i>where it is necessary to turn the car -round and return to Chattancourt, as the road is cut near Béthincourt -by the Forges stream, which has entirely flooded the lower part of the -village</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><b>Mort-Homme.</b>—Like Hill 304, Mort-Homme was one of the most -fiercely disputed positions on the left bank. It consists of twin -hills: No. 265 (of which the Béthincourt-Cumières road skirts the -summit) and No. 295 (the Mort-Homme proper, round which the road winds -on the N.E.), and formed an excellent observation-post and artillery -position in front of the real line of resistance.</p> - -<p>On March 5th, 1916, the German offensive, which, until then, -had been confined to the right bank of the river, developed with great -violence on the left flank, progressing in six days to the slopes of -Mort-Homme.</p> - -<p>On the 14th, after a five-hours bombardment with shells of every -kind and size, sometimes at the rate of 120 a minute, the enemy’s -Infantry attack on Mort-Homme began. The Germans took and kept Hill -265, but the French Infantry and Zouaves, after a magnificent defence, -held their ground on Hill 295—the key to the entire position—and -in night counter-attacks drove back the assailants to the N.W. -counter-slopes.</p> - -<p>From March 15th to the end of December, 1916, the Germans -launched at least fifteen particularly violent attacks against -Hill 295, sacrificing countless men and huge quantities of -munitions. On March 16th, 17th and 31st, and April 9th and -10th, French Chasseurs and Infantry repulsed the enemy in terrible -hand-to-hand fighting. On April 22nd, 23rd and 24th the French -40th D.I., by its resistance and brilliant counter-attacks, broke -up as many as three enemy attacks in one day, and re-established the -French front as it was on April 5th. Further German attacks on -Hill 295 followed on May 7th, 20th and 22nd, June 29th, -July 12th and December 28th. Their furious offensive of May -20th alone brought them momentarily on the S.W. crest of Hill 295 -and as far as the French second-line trenches, which were retaken on -June 15th.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> - -<p>At that time the sector of Mort-Homme and Hill 304 was -commanded by General de Maud’huy, whose courage and coolness are -legendary in the army. The exploits of the French troops at Mort-Homme -during the difficult period of 1916 were countless. One of the most -brilliant was accomplished on April 9th by the 11th Company -of the 151st Regiment of Infantry, which had received orders to -reconquer the crest of the Mort-Homme.</p> - -<p>Laughing and singing under a continual bombardment, this company -went into line, a section at a time, with measured step and rifle in -hand. On approaching the enemy trenches, the men rushed forward under -heavy machine-gun fire and captured a large and important network of -trenches. Promptly organising the conquered trenches, and despite an -extremely intense enemy bombardment of thirty-six hours, the men -succeeded in re-establishing the <i>liaison</i> with the -8th Battalion of Chasseurs on their right, making it possible to -reform the line which had been broken, and which the enemy afterwards -tried in vain to pierce, until May 20th.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig131"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig131.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE SOUTH-WESTERN SLOPES OF MORT-HOMME IN -JANUARY, 1917.</div> -</div> - -<p>In 1917 the sector was often the scene of violent combats, -especially on January 25th, and March 18th, 20th and 29th. -After many efforts and at heavy cost the Germans succeeded in occupying -Hill 265 and the crest of Hill 295, where they organised -formidable defences, including deep shell-proof tunnels.</p> - -<p>On August 20th, 1917, during the French attack along the entire -Verdun front, the 31st D.I. carried all the German defences and -recaptured the Mort-Homme and its tunnels, including the one known as -the “<b>Crown-Prince</b>,” which was “cleaned out” by the Foreign -Legion. In one of the tunnels several cavalry-men, units of the XXXVIth -and a whole battalion of the XXth Regiment of the German Reserve, -were captured, while among the officers taken <span class="pagenum"><a -id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> was Count Bernstorff, nephew of the -ex-German Ambassador to the United States. An entire staff was captured -in another of the tunnels.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig132"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig132.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">MORT-HOMME AFTER THE ATTACK OF AUGUST, 1917 (see -<a href="#Page_23">p. 23</a>)</div> -</div> - -<p><b>Corbeaux Wood.</b>—The plateaux dominated by the two Mort-Homme -Hills are cut into on the north of the high road by a ravine bordered -by Corbeaux Wood. This wood offers favourable cover for the massing of -attacking troops. It was by this fiercely disputed route that the enemy -tried to reach Hill 295. On March 6th the French line was -brought back in front of the wood. On the 7th the enemy, after -bombarding it, succeeded in getting a footing there, but on the -following day the 92nd Infantry Regiment, in a magnificent -counter-attack, retook the wood in twenty minutes. On the morning of -the 10th, reinforced by another infantry battalion, the same regiment -further captured the N.E. outskirts of Cumières Wood (to the E. of -Corbeaux Wood), but in the evening, deprived of its commanding officer -(Colonel Macker, who had fallen that morning), and lacking the support -of the French artillery, which the trees prevented from seeing the -rocket-signals, the regiment was compelled to fall back before an -impetuous attack by a whole enemy division. However, it was only at -frightful cost that the Germans were able to score these two successes, -as the French gave ground only inch by inch.</p> - -<p>The wood was retaken by the Foreign Legion Regiment on -August 20th, 1917 (<i>see <a -href="#Page_23">p. 23</a></i>).</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig133"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig133.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">MORT-HOMME</div> -<div class="subcap">Trenches captured in August, 1917</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig134"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig134.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE ROAD FROM CHATTANCOURT TO ESNES, AT THE FOOT -OF HILL 275.</div> -<div class="subcap">In the background the road forks, that on the left -going to Montzéville, the one on the light to Esnes. The tourist -should take the latter.<br /> -[Labels, from left to right: -Road to Montzéville, -Hill 304, -Road to Esnes.]</div> -</div> - -<h4>IV.—From Mort-Homme to Esnes.</h4> - -<p><i>From Mort-Homme return to the starting-point at Chattancourt, -and take on the right the road to Esnes (see photo at the -<a href="#fig130">bottom of p. 94</a>).</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig135"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig135.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">ESNES VILLAGE IN 1919.</div> -<div class="subcap"><i>On the left</i>, THE CASTLE; <i>on the -right</i>, THE CHURCH.</div> -</div> - -<p>This fairly steep road scales the northern slopes of Hill 275. -Driving is rather difficult by reason of the numerous shell holes in -the road. A pass is soon reached, from which Hill 304 can be seen -opposite (<i><a href="#fig134">photo, p. 98</a></i>).</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig136"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig136.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">ESNES IN JANUARY, 1916</div> -</div> - -<p>This road crosses all the organisations of the first line shelters, -posts of commandment, dressing-stations, etc. <i>Continue as far as a -crossing</i> (visible in <i><a href="#fig134">photo, p. 98</a></i>), -<i>where turn to the right into</i> <b>Esnes</b>.</p> - -<p>By reason of its position, S. of Hills 304 and 295, Esnes was -an important base of operations during the Battle of Verdun. It was -subjected to frequent enemy bombardments, of which the most violent -occurred on March 20th and 21st, April 5th, 6th, 12th, 25th -and 26th, and June 22nd, 1916.</p> -<p>The three photographs on <a href="#Page_98">pp. 98</a> and -<a href="#Page_99">99</a> show the aspects of the village at three -different stages of the battle.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig137"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig137.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">ESNES ON SEPTEMBER 25TH, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig138"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig138.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">FROM MORT-HOMME TO BOURRUS WOODS; PANORAMIC VIEW<br /> -TAKEN FROM THE WAYSIDE CROSS AT ESNES (<i>see</i> Outline-Map -below).</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map027"> -<img alt="" src="images/map027.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">OUTLINE-MAP OF THE GROUND COVERED BY - THE ABOVE PANORAMIC VIEW.</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig139"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig139.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The left-hand side of the panoramic view above]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Mort-Homme, -Heights on the left bank -of the river, -Hill 275.]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig140"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig140.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The right-hand side of the panoramic view above]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Road to Chattancourt, -Marre Fort, -Hill 272, -Bourrus Woods, -Hill 310.]</div> -</div> - -<h4>V.—From Esnes to Montfaucon, via Hill 304</h4> - -<p><i>After passing in front of the ruins of Esnes Church, continue -straight ahead, taking the second road on the right (not the first, -which leads to Béthincourt—see <a href="#fig139">photograph</a> above).</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>The road on the left ends in a very steep rough track and is impracticable -for cars.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>The road to be followed zig-zags up to the</i> <b>Wayside Cross -of Esnes</b>, <i>from which there is a magnificent view of the -battlefields on the left bank from Mort-Homme to Bourrus Woods -(Panorama above)</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>At the Wayside Cross take the road to the right.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>The left-hand one (seen in the foreground on -<a href="#fig140">photo, p. 101</a>) leads to Avocourt. The tourist will -take it on his return from</i> <b>Montfaucon</b>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>The one on the right (in the foreground on -<a href="#fig139">photo, p. 100</a>) passes between</i> -<b>Hills 287 and 304</b> <i>(the latter of celebrated memory) -crosses the ruins of</i> <b>Haucourt and Malancourt villages</b>, and -ends at <b>Montfaucon</b>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig141"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig141.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE TOP OF HILL 304, SEEN FROM POMMERIEUX -PLATEAU.</div> -</div> - -<h4>HILL 304</h4> - -<p><b>Hill 304</b>, with Hills 287, 310 and 275, forms from -Malancourt to Marre Fort a line of natural fortresses, which kept under -their cross-fire not only the roads of approach, but also the bare -glacis and the abrupt escarpments immediately bordering them.</p> - -<p>The covered ground nearest Hill 304 is the S.E. corner of -Avocourt Wood. It was from this wood that the IInd Bavarian D.I. -left to attack the Hill on March 20th, 1916.</p> - -<p>They were checked, however, on the long barren slope leading to the -ridge, by the French cross-fire. Their three regiments, on -March 20th to 22nd, lost from fifty to sixty per cent. -of their effective strength, without gain. On April 9th, before -Hill 287, the first German attacking wave succeeded in crossing -the French first-line trench, practically destroyed by bombardment. -They were running towards the French supporting trench when the -survivors of the front-line trench, coming out of their shelters in the -upheaved ground among the dead, exterminated them to the last man.</p> - -<p>On May 3rd, eighty German batteries concentrated their fire on -Hill 304 and its approaches. Clouds of black, green and yellow -smoke rose from the hill-top as from a volcano, obscuring the sky to a -height of 2,500 feet, according to the reports of aviators. As a -British war correspondent put it: “The sky was like a dome of invisible -rails on which fast trains ran madly.” On May 4th and 5th a fresh -German division attempted to occupy the position, believing it and its -defenders to have been annihilated. They gained a footing on the -N. slopes of the hill, but were driven back during the night by -the French 68th R.I., which then withdrew. On the 5th the same -German division attacked on the left the Camard Wood and Hill 287. -In this wood, entirely levelled by an eleven-hour bombardment, the -66th Line R.I. first held up, then charged the assailants at the -point of the bayonet. At Hill 287 a battalion of the -32nd Line R.I. likewise brilliantly repulsed two attacks. On -May 7th, after a tremendous shelling, the enemy attacked -Hill 304 simultaneously from three sides with troops from five -different divisions. It was their greatest effort against this -position. However, two French regiments of picked troops (125th and -114th), one company of which charged, to the strains of <i>La -Marseillaise</i>, the Germans were thrown into disorder and driven back -to the N. slopes. During the rest of the month the enemy -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> -counter-attacked continually, at times in force, as on May 18th, -20th and 22nd, but without success.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig142"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig142.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">TRENCH ON HILL 304.</div> -<div class="subcap">Reconquered August 24th, 1917.</div> -</div> - -<p>On June 29th and 30th they sought to turn the Hill from the E. -and W. with the help of liquid fire. On the E. desperate fighting took -place around a work which was lost by the French on the 29th, then -retaken, lost again, and reconquered on the 30th.</p> - -<p>The Germans made a powerful attack on December 6th, in which -they took several trenches on the E. slopes.</p> - -<p>On the 28th of the same month another German attack, preceded by an -intense bombardment, failed.</p> - -<p>In 1917 the enemy continued their efforts against Hill 304. They -succeeded on January 25th in occupying several of the French -advance-positions, which were partly recaptured the next day.</p> - -<p>Further enemy attacks on March 18th, 20th and 29th were repulsed -after hand-to-hand fighting.</p> - -<p>On June 28th and 29th another powerful enemy attack succeeded, -with heavy loss, in capturing Hill 304 and advancing between the -Hill and the S.E. corner of Avocourt Wood, to a slight hollow -known as the <b>Col-de-Pommerieux</b>. This hollow was, however, -reconquered on July 17th by the French 51st and -87th R.I., supported by two battalions of the 97th D.I. -(335th and 346th Regiments), and one battalion of the -73rd D.I. After a remarkable artillery preparation, the French -infantrymen, in half-an-hour, reached the fortified crest, and regained -a kilometer of ground, including the famous “Demi-Lune” Redoubt. The -87th R.I., composed of men from the north, Valenciennes, -St. Quentin and Lens, went 300 yards beyond the assigned objective -and captured an observation-post in front of the crest, which they -christened “<i>Le crèneau des Gretchen</i>.” The attack occurred at the -time the enemy troops were being relieved, 520 prisoners, -belonging to at least three different divisions, being taken. From a -single sap the French Grenadiers brought out four German officers, one -of whom, on descending the hill, turned back to admire the manœuvre of -the French soldiers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> - -<p>On August 24th Hill 304, the approaches to which had been -reconquered on the 20th, was carried by the 139th and 121st R.I. -(26th D.I.). This division, which attacked before Hill 304, on the -Pommerieux Plateau and at Camard Wood, captured prisoners belonging to -five different German divisions. After capturing Hill 304, Equerre -Wood and Souvin Redoubt, the division attacked again on the evening of -the same day, this time carrying the positions of Palavas, Alsace, -Gateau-de-Miel and Lorraine, and advancing the first French line to -the Forges stream, <i>i.e.</i> more than two kilometers from its -starting-point between Haucourt and Malancourt, the latter still being -occupied by the enemy.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>On leaving Hill 304, descend to</i> <b>Haucourt</b> <i>and</i> -<b>Malancourt</b>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><b>Haucourt</b> hamlet, on the Fontaine-des-Aulnes stream, was -attacked by the Germans on April 4th, 1916, and taken after -several sanguinary setbacks on the night of the 5th after a fine -defence by three companies of the 79th R.I., which held their -ground against a brigade. It was recaptured on September 26th, -1918, by the First American Army.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig143"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig143.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">MALANCOURT.</div> -<div class="subcap">General view seen from the ruins of the Church in -May, 1919.</div> -</div> - -<p><b>Malancourt</b> village was reoccupied by the French on -October 13th, 1914. Enemy attacks on the following 16th and 20th -failed. From February, 1915, the French lines were advanced to the -slopes on the N. of the village. In 1916 the Germans did not -attack until the end of March. They were unable to enter it on the -28th, but the next day captured two houses. On the night of the 30th -they occupied it entirely.</p> - -<p>Malancourt and its wood were recaptured by the First American Army -on September 26th, 1918. The wood was hard to take, as the Germans had -installed numerous blockhouses and barbed-wire entanglements.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig144"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig144.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">GERMAN OBSERVATION-POST IN THE RUINS OF -MONTFAUCON CHURCH.</div> -</div> - -<h4>Montfaucon</h4> - -<p><i>From Malancourt tourists may go to Montfaucon, three miles away, by a -rather difficult road which has been summarily repaired.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>From Montfaucon, where the Germans had established an observation-post -in the ruins of the church, there is a complete view of the whole of the -battlefield north-west of Verdun, from the hills on the right bank of the Meuse, -to Vauquois.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>See Panorama and Map on <a href="#Page_106">pp. 106</a> and -<a href="#Page_107">107</a>.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The tower of the church, which made a fine observation-post for the -Germans, was destroyed by the French artillery. When, after their -brilliant offensive of September 26th, 1918 (<i>see -<a href="#Page_24">p. 24</a></i>), the Americans drove the enemy from -Montfaucon, they found this observation-post (<i>photo below</i>) -built with materials taken from the ruins of the church.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig145"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig145.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE OPENING IN THE OBSERVATION-POST, THROUGH -WHICH<br /> THE PANORAMIC VIEW ON pp. 106 AND 107 WAS TAKEN.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig146"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig146.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">PANORAMA OF THE BATTLEFIELD OF VERDUN, SEEN FROM -MONTFAUCON.</div> -<div class="subcapit">The above view was taken from the inside of the -Observation-Post seen in the photo below, the camera looking through -the slit-like embrasure.</div> -<div class="subcap3">In the foreground are vestiges of shell-torn trees -and the ruins of Montfaucon Village. Verdun is on the horizon between -Mort-Homme and Hill 275. -</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig147"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig147.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">GERMAN OBSERVATION-POST, <i>through the embrasure -of which the above<br /> Panoramic View was taken</i>.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig148"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig148.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The left-hand side of the above panoramic view]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Hills on the right bank of the river, -Road to Cuisy, -Mort-Homme, -Hill 275, -Road to Malancourt, -Hill 310.]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig149"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig149.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">[The right-hand side of the above panoramic view]</div> -<div class="subcap">[Labels, from left to right: -Montfaucon Wood, -Vauquois Spur.]</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" id="map028"> -<img alt="" src="images/map028.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">SKETCH-MAP OF THE BATTLEFIELD, AS SEEN BY THE -GERMANS<br /> FROM THE EMINENCE OF MONTFAUCON.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig150"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig150.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">AVOCOURT VILLAGE IN MARCH, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<h4>VI.—From Montfaucon to Avocourt</h4> - -<p><i>From Montfaucon return by the same road to Malancourt.</i></p> - -<p><i>The bad state of the Malancourt–Avocourt road (May, 1919) does -not allow it to be taken from the former to the latter locality.</i> -(The road passes through the woods of the same names, disputed with -incredible fierceness.) <i>The tourist should, therefore, return to -the Wayside Cross at Esnes, along the same road that he came -by.</i></p> - -<p><i>From Esnes Cross (see <a href="#Page_100">p. 100</a>), take on -the right the road to Avocourt, which marks approximately the extreme -limit of the battlefield W. of Verdun</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><b>Avocourt and Avocourt and Malancourt Woods.</b>—One of the -finest feats of arms in the Battle of Verdun was performed at -Avocourt.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig151"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig151.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">THE CROSS IN THE MIDDLE OF AVOCOURT VILLAGE -IN APRIL, 1916.</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig152"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig152.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">TRENCH IN THE RUINS OF AVOCOURT VILLAGE IN APRIL, -1917.</div> -</div> - -<p>On March 20th, 1916, the Germans, who had never been able to take -the village, attacked with a fresh division of picked troops -(IInd Bavarians), which had taken part in the summer campaign in Galicia and -Poland with Mackensen’s forces. The attack succeeded, with the help of -liquid fire. A French counter-attack on the 29th by the 210th R.I., -and a battalion of the 157th, recaptured the wood and the redoubt -known as the “Réduit d’Avocourt,” situated on its S. edge. The -attacking troops, which had not been revictualled for four days, had -finished their reserve rations twelve hours previously. So fatigued -were they that they slept standing despite the bombardment. To rouse -them, their chiefs, at 3 a.m. next morning, ordered the buglers and -drummers to play. As the day was breaking the music suddenly stopped, -a shell having buried all save one drummer. Furious at this, the men, -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> -with the drummer at their head, rushed forward, and by 8 a.m. the -wood had been entirely reconquered.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig153"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig153.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">SITE OF AVOCOURT VILLAGE IN NOVEMBER, 1918.</div> -</div> - -<p>In 1917, hard fighting continued in this region with varying -fortune. Powerful German attacks gave the enemy a little ground between -Avocourt and Hill 304, and in Avocourt Wood. On August 20th, -the French 25th D.I. drove the enemy from the S. part of the -wood, advancing 1,200 yards and capturing 750 prisoners, -thirty machine guns and ten trench mortars.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig154"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig154.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">MALANCOURT WOOD IN 1916, <i>seen from the French -lines.</i></div> -<div class="subcapit">The sandbags mark the German lines.</div> -</div> - -<p>On September 26th, 1918, the wood was entirely cleared of the -enemy by the First American Army.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><b>Malancourt Wood.</b>—It was against a French trench, in this -wood that on February 26th, 1915, the Germans made use of <b>liquid -fire for the first time</b>, special pumps, operated by pioneers of -the Guard, being employed.</p> - -<h4>VII.—Avocourt to Aubréville</h4> - -<p><i>From Avocourt take the road which follows the small valley -running southwards (see <a href="#map024">Itinerary</a>, pp. 88 and -89). It was on this road, hidden from the view of the enemy, that the -French concentrations were carried out in the rear lines.</i></p> - -<p><i>Two kilometers from Avocourt, take on the left the road leading -to Hesse Wood, scene of all sorts of concentrations, posts of -commandment, dressing stations, batteries of artillery, depots, -etc.</i></p> - -<p><i>This road is in good condition almost as far as Aubréville, with -the exception of two or three places on leaving Hesse Wood, beyond -Bertrame’s Farm.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> - -<h4>VIII.—From Aubréville to Verdun</h4> - -<p><i>On entering Aubréville, take on the left N. 46 which skirts -the St. Menehould-Verdun railway.</i></p> - -<p><i>The tourist passes through Parois and Récicourt, where numerous -cantonments and rest camps were installed for the relief of the -troops.</i></p> - -<p><i>Dombasle, where a large munitions depot blew up, is next -reached.</i></p> - -<p><i>From Dombasle one of two Itineraries may be chosen to return to -Verdun.</i></p> - -<p><i>The first, by continuing to follow the National Road, via -Blercourt.</i></p> - -<p><i>The second, which follows the crests dominating N. 3 from -Paris to Metz.</i></p> - -<p><i>For the second Itinerary, on leaving Dombasle, take the small -road on the left, which leads to Sivry-la-Perche, 4 kilometers -distant.</i></p> - -<p>N. of the latter village, at the N.E. extremity of -Hill 357, there still exists an observation-post, from which there -is a general view of the entire rear-ground of the battlefield W. of -Verdun.</p> - -<p>If it is desired to visit this observation-post before the descent -leading to Sivry-la-Perche, take the Béthelainville road on the left -for about 700 yards going thence on foot to the right in a -N.E. direction. The observation post is about half-a mile further -on.</p> - -<p>From Sivry-la-Perche continue along the road, which passes first on -the left of <b>Sartelles Fort</b> and then to the left of <b>Chaume -Fort</b>. These two forts only played a minor role in the battle of -Verdun, and suffered but slightly from the bombardments. In front of -Chaume Fort there was an observation post for heavy artillery, whence -there is a splendid view of the Meuse Valley.</p> - -<p><i>From Chaume Fort the road is rather steep and in bad condition. -Going down on the left and flanking a hill is</i> Glorieux Cemetery, -near the evacuation hospital.</p> - -<p><i>Verdun is entered by the Porte-de-France.</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig155"> -<img alt="" src="images/fig155.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">IN THE RUINS OF VERDUN.</div> -</div> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<h2 id="contents">CONTENTS</h2> - -<hr class="vsmall" /> - -<table summary="Large maps: contents"> - <tr> - <td></td><td></td> - <td class="page">PAGES</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="citem">Plan of Verdun - <span class="normw">(2 colours)</span></td> - <td></td> - <td class="page"><a href="#map014">between 30–31</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="citem">Map of Verdun - <span class="normw">(black)</span></td> - <td></td> - <td class="page"><a href="#map017">between 56–57</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class="contents" /> - -<table summary="Chapters and sections: contents"> -<tr> - <td class="citem">The Great War (1914–1918)—General Considerations</td> - <td></td> - <td class="page"><a href="#Page_4">4 to 7</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="citem">The Battle of Verdun</td> - <td></td> - <td class="page"><a href="#Page_8">8 to 30</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="subitem">The German Offensive, Feb.–Aug., 1916</td> - <td class="subpage"><a href="#Page_10">10 to 18</a></td><td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="subitem">The French Counter-Offensive, - Oct.–Dec., 1916,</td><td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="subsubitem">to Aug., 1917</td> - <td class="subpage"><a href="#Page_19">19 to 23</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="subitem">The American Offensive, Sept. 26th, 1918</td> - <td class="subpage"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td><td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="subitem">The Franco-American Offensive, Oct., 1918</td> - <td class="subpage"><a href="#Page_25">25 to 27</a></td><td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="subitem">Conclusion</td> - <td class="subpage"><a href="#Page_28">28 to 30</a></td><td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="citem">A Visit to the City of Verdun</td> - <td></td><td class="page"><a href="#Page_31">31 to 56</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="subitem">The Cathedral</td> - <td class="subpage"><a href="#Page_42">42 to 48</a></td><td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="subitem">The Citadelle</td> - <td class="subpage"><a href="#Page_52">52 to 54</a></td><td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="citem">A Visit to the Battlefield</td> - <td></td><td class="page"><a href="#Page_57">57 to 111</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="subitem">1st Itinerary: The Right Bank of the Meuse</td> - <td class="subpage"><a href="#Page_57">57 to 87</a></td><td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="subitem">2nd Itinerary: The Left Bank of the Meuse</td> - <td class="subpage"><a href="#Page_88">88 to 111</a></td><td></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig156"> -<img alt="" - src="images/fig156.jpg" /> -<div class="caption">REFUGEES FROM VERDUN DISTRICT PASSING THROUGH<br -/> SOUILLY ALONG THE “SACRED WAY.”</div> -</div> - -<p class="center smaller">PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY WILLIAM CLOWES -AND SONS, LIMITED.<br />LONDON<br />XIV.-2120-7-19-25</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<!-- FOURTH ADVERTISEMENT --> - -<div class="advert"> - -<p class="advtitle1">THE “TOURING CLUB DE FRANCE.”</p> - -<hr class="vsmall" /> - -<p class="noindent">If you are <i>not</i> a Member</p> - -<p class="advmargin2">of the Touring Club de France:</p> - -<p class="noindent advmargin2">Join to-day. You will thereby help France and, at -the same time, yourself. (Intending Members should be introduced by -two actual Members, or furnish references.)</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="noindent">If you are already a Member</p> - -<p class="advmargin2">of the Touring Club de France:</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="noindent">Introduce new Members. It will only cost you a -little good will, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that -you have helped to augment the Association’s beneficent influence.</p> - -<p class="advtitle3 center"> S<span class="smaller">UBSCRIPTIONS</span>:</p> - -<p class="advtext">The yearly subscription is:</p> - -<p class="advtext">6 francs for new Members of French nationality.</p> - -<p class="advtext">10 francs for new Members of other nationality, -wherever their residence may be.</p> - -<p class="advtext">New subscriptions paid from October 1st. are -valid for the following calendar year.</p> - -<p class="advtext">Life subscriptions may be effected in one payment -of 120 francs for persons of French nationality, or 200 francs if of -other nationality.</p> - -<p class="advtext">The title of “Membre-Fondateur” may be acquired -by the payment of 300 francs.</p> - -<p class="advtext">A minimum payment of 500 francs confers the -title of “Membre-Bienfaiteur.”</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p class="center">THE TOURING CLUB DE FRANCE,<br /> -65, AVENUE DE LA GRANDE ARMÉE, PARIS (16). -</p> - -</div> - -<!-- FIFTH ADVERTISEMENT --> - -<div class="advert"> - - <p class="advtitle1">BEAUTIFUL FRANCE.</p> - -<p class="advtitle3 italic">Brittany.</p> - -<p>Land of granite cliffs, rough seas and folk-lore, Brittany -is one of the most picturesque provinces of France.</p> - -<p>The granitic soil, carpeted with yellow-gorse and shaded -with the deep green of countless oaks, has bred a hardy race -of sailors and fishermen, who combine strange pagan superstitions -with the Roman faith. In historic and pre-historic -memories, it is one of the richest lands in the world.</p> - -<p>The hinterland of Brittany consists of uplands broken by -ravines, of low undulating hills, moors, rich pastures, living -waters and crags.</p> - -<p>The coastline, broken with innumerable capes, creeks, -gulfs and estuaries, is of unparalleled picturesqueness.</p> - -<p>Among the principal places of interest to tourists are the -following: Cancale Bay and Grouin Point, the roadstead of -St. Malo and estuary of the Rance, Cape Fréhel, St. Brieuc -Bay, Bréhat Island, Ploumanach and Trégastel Cliffs, Primel -Point, the estuary of the de Morlaix river, Roscoff and Batz -Island, the Brignognan and Aber-Wrach Crags, St. Matthew’s -Point and Brest Harbour.</p> - -<p>Further south are the Morgat Caves, Bay of Douarnenez, -Raz Point, Penmarch Cliffs, Gulf of Vannes, etc.</p> - -<p>Numerous ancient fortified cities, whereof: Vitré, -Fougères, St. Malo, Dinan, Morlaix, Carhaix, Quimper, -Concarneau, Pontivy and Vannes are of especial interest, and -old-time châteaux, churches and cathedrals lie scattered over -the land.</p> - -<p>The three principal “Calvaries,” of which there are -many, are in the “Département” of Finistère, at Trégonnec, -Guimiliau and Plougastel.</p> - -<p>Numerous “menhirs” and “dolmens,” of which the most -celebrated are at Carnac and Lochmariaquer, offer particular -interest to the archaeologist and historian.</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p class="center advmargin1"> -ALL INQUIRIES WITH REGARD TO TRAVELLING<br /> -SHOULD BE ADDRESSED<br /> -TO THE “TOURING CLUB DE FRANCE,”</p> - -<p class="center smaller"> -65, Avenue de la Grande Armée, 65</p> - -<p class="center">PARIS.</p> - -</div> - -<!-- SIXTH ADVERTISEMENT --> - -<div class="advert"> - -<p class="advtitle1">MICHELIN TOURING OFFICES</p> - -<hr class="adv1" /> - -<p class="advtitle2" >MICHELIN TYRE CO., LTD., LONDON</p> - -<p class="advsubtitle1 advmargin1">Touring Office :: 81, Fulham Road, S.W.</p> - -<p class="advtitle2">MICHELIN & CIE, CLERMONT-FERRAND</p> - -<p class="advsubtitle1 advmargin1">Touring Office :: 99, Bd. Péreire, PARIS</p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig157"> -<img class="noborder" alt="" src="images/fig157.jpg" /> -</div> - -<p class="italic noindent">Why ask the Way, when - . . . . . . . . . . </p> - -<div class="figcenter" id="fig158"> -<img class="noborder" alt="" src="images/fig158.jpg" /> -</div> - -<p class="right italic advmargin1"> - . . . . . . . . . . -Michelin will tell you free of charge?</p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="noindent" >Drop a line, ring us up, or call at one of our -Touring Offices and you will receive a carefully -worked out description of the route to follow.</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="pagebreak"> -<h2 class="nobreak"><a id="appendix">APPENDIX</a></h2> -</div> - -<p class="tabtitle">List of Photographs</p> - -<table class="illns" summary="list of Photographs"> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig005">fig005</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Verdun burning in 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig006">fig006</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Generals Joffre and Pétain at the G.H.Q of the 2nd - French Army at Souilly, in February, 1916.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig007">fig007</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Starting point of the German Attack of February 21st, - North of Haumont Wood.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig008">fig008</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Relief by Motor-Lorries.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig009">fig009</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Mort-Homme and Hill 287 in May, 1916.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig010">fig010</a></td> - <td class="figcap">General Pétain’s Order of the Day.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig011">fig011</a></td> - <td class="figcap">General Nivelle, taking over the Command of - Verdun Army in May, 1916.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig012">fig012</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Entrance to Douaumont Fort.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig013">fig013</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Aspect of the Battlefield in July, 1916. -</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig014">fig014</a></td> - <td class="figcap">General Mangin in front of his Post of Commandment.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig015">fig015</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Approaches of Tavannes Fort.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig016">fig016</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Hill 304 recaptured.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig017">fig017</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Fontaines Ravine, West of Bezonvaux.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig018">fig018</a></td> - <td class="figcap">General Guillaumat</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig019">fig019</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Renault Tanks and American Troops - on the old French Lines at Regnéville.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig020">fig020</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Douaumont Fort and its Approaches.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig021">fig021</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[Decorations awarded to Verdun.]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig022">fig022</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Place d’Armes</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig023">fig023</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Rue St. Pierre in 1916.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig024">fig024</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Façade of College Church, Rue St. Paul, May, 1919.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig025">fig025</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Interior of College Church. - Photographed in May, 1919.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig026">fig026</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Palais de Justice.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig027">fig027</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Banks of the Meuse and - the Cathedral before the War.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig028">fig028</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Chaussée Gate (before the War)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig029">fig029</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Banks of the Meuse, - the Cathedral and St. Croix Bridge.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig030">fig030</a></td> - <td class="figcap">St. Saviour’s Church</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig031">fig031</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Interior of St. Saviour’s Church</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig032">fig032</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Chevert Square and Statue of General Chevert.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig033">fig033</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Meuse (seen from Chevert Square, 1916).</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig034">fig034</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Façade of the Hôtel-de-Ville overlooking - the gardens. (May, 1919)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig035">fig035</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Main Entrance (rebuilt) to the Abbey of St. Vanne, - in the Court of No. 19, Rue de L’Hôtel-de-Ville.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig036">fig036</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Ruins in the Rue Mazel and Rue St. Esprit.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig037">fig037</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Princerie in 1916, Rue de La Belle-Vierge, - Nos. 16 and 18</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig038">fig038</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Princerie Cloister (Hist. Mon.) before the War</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig039">fig039</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Princerie Cloister in 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig040">fig040</a></td> - <td class="figcap">An observation-post in Magdeleine Square (1916)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig041">fig041</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Ruins in the Rue Châtel, seen from the Cathedral (1916)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig042">fig042</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Verdun seen from one of the Cathedral Towers</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig043">fig043</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Cathedral</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig044">fig044</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Apsis of the Great Choir, seen from the banks of - the Meuse</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig045">fig045</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Great Nave</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig046">fig046</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Great Nave before the War</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig047">fig047</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Great Nave seen from the Choir</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig048">fig048</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Ciborium</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig049">fig049</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Stalls and Woodwork of the Great Choir</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig050">fig050</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Shrine of St. Saintin</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig051">fig051</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[The South Aisle and Holy Sacrament Chapel]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig052">fig052</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Monument to Archdeacon Wassebourg, Chapel of The - Virgin</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig053">fig053</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Upper Portion of the door in Old Roman Apse, - removed to the Vestry</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig054">fig054</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Roman Capital of the Great Crypt filled in in - 1755, except two bays decorated with paintings</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig055">fig055</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Last Judgement, painting on the vault of the - Crypt</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig056">fig056</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Courtyard of the Bishop’s Palace and the Cathedral - in 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig057">fig057</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Bishop’s Palace, façade looking on the - courtyard and entrance to the Museum</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig058">fig058</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Cloister</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig059">fig059</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The West Gallery in which the staircase leading to - the Cloister Opens Out (1914)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig060">fig060</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Cloister seen from one of the Cathedral towers</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig061">fig061</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The South Gallery of the Cloister before the War</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig062">fig062</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Châtel Gate, behind the Cathedral</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig063">fig063</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Citadel buildings after the bombardments of 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig064">fig064</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Citadel and St. Vanne Tower, with wireless antenna.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig065">fig065</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Citadel Ramparts and Neuve Gate.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig066">fig066</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Dormitory in the casemates</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig067">fig067</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Co-operative canteen in the Citadel</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig068">fig068</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Rue des Gros-Degrés</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig069">fig069</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Canal des Augustins</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig070">fig070</a></td> - <td class="figcap">St. Victor’s Gate</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig071">fig071</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The doorway of the Congrégation Notre-Dame (63 Rue - de L’hôtel-De-Ville)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig072">fig072</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Leaving Verdun by the Chaussée Gate</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig073">fig073</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Military Cemetery at the exit of the Faubourg Pavé</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig074">fig074</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The interior of Tavannes Fort</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig075">fig075</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Southern moat of Tavannes Fort</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig076">fig076</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The car coming from Tavannes Fort takes the road - on the right to Vaux Fort. That on the left leads to Souville - Fort</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig077">fig077</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The road to Fort Vaux</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig078">fig078</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Laufée Wood in 1917</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig079">fig079</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Chenois Wood in 1917</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig080">fig080</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Vaux Fort in 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig081">fig081</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Vaux Fort. The moats in June, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig082">fig082</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The approaches to Vaux Fort in March, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig083">fig083</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The South-West side of Vaux Fort</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig084">fig084</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The old entrance to Souville Fort (Sept. 1916)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig085">fig085</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Souville Fort (March 1917)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig086">fig086</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Panorama seen from the Cross-Roads at the Chapel - of St. Fine</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig087">fig087</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Attacking waves of infantry crossing Fumin Wood - (Oct. 1916)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig088">fig088</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Defence works in Vaux Village (January, 1916)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig089">fig089</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Where Vaux Village (entirely destroyed) stood - before the War</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig090">fig090</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Vaux Pond (March 1917)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig091">fig091</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Vaux Pond is the extreme point which can be - reached by motor-cars</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig092">fig092</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Southern outskirts of Fleury after the French - counter-attack of June 25th, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig093">fig093</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Fleury, the Grand Rue in July, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig094">fig094</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Fleury in ruins, October. 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig095">fig095</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Thiaumont Redoubt occupied by the French in May, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig096">fig096</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Thiaumont Redoubt in ruins occupied by the Germans - a month later</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig097">fig097</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Douaumont Fort in January, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig098">fig098</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The entrance to Douaumont Fort in January, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig099">fig099</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The interior of the fort on May 22nd, 1916, three - hours after the attack</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig100">fig100</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Soldiers of the Morrocan Colonial Regt. Occupying - the moats of the reconquered fort</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig101">fig101</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Ruins of Douaumont Village and Church</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig102">fig102</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Dame Ravine</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig103">fig103</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Position of German battery destroyed in Chauffour - Wood</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig104">fig104</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Haudromont Quarries in September, 1917</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig105">fig105</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Haudromont Wood in March, 1917</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig106">fig106</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Helly Ravine</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig107">fig107</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Road from Louvemont to Ornes</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig108">fig108</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Louvement Village in April, 1917</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig109">fig109</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Froide-Terre Redoubt in 1915</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig110">fig110</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The last train to pass at the foot of Poivre Hill - in 1916. It was wrecked by enemy artillery.</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig111">fig111</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Bras Village and Poivre Hill in Sept., 1917</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig112">fig112</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Ruins of Bras Church, whose tower collapsed</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig113">fig113</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Vacherauville. The approaches to the village on - Dec. 20th, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig114">fig114</a></td> <td - class="figcap">The centre of Samogneux Village On The n. 46 in - May, 1919</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig115">fig115</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Samogneux Church in Aug., 1915</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig116">fig116</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Panoramic view of the Meuse Valley seen from the - top of Talou Hill</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig121">fig121</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The church and main street of Charny in January, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig122">fig122</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The church and main street of Charny seen from the - other side in May, 1919</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig123">fig123</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Marre Village in ruins</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig124">fig124</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Cumières in May, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig125">fig125</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Cumières in August, 1917</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig126">fig126</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Panoramic view of the Meuse seen from Oie Hill</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig129">fig129</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Chattancourt on May 16th, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig130">fig130</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Chattancourt In 1919</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig131">fig131</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The South-Western slopes of Mort-Homme in January, - 1917</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig132">fig132</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Mort-Homme after the attack of August, 1917</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig133">fig133</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Mort-Homme: trenches captured in August, 1917</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig134">fig134</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The road from Chattancourt to Esnes, at the foot - of Hill 275</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig135">fig135</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Esnes Village in 1919</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig136">fig136</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Esnes in January, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig137">fig137</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Esnes on September 24th, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig138">fig138</a></td> - <td class="figcap">From Mort-Homme to Bourrus Woods: panoramic view - taken from the Wayside Cross at Esnes</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig141">fig141</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The top of Hill 304, seen from Pommerieux Plateau</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig142">fig142</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Trench On Hill 304</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig143">fig143</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Malancourt, May, 1919</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig144">fig144</a></td> - <td class="figcap">German observation-post in the ruins of Montfaucon Church</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig145">fig145</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The opening in the observation-post, through which - the panoramic view on pp. 106 and 107 was taken</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig146">fig146</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Panorama of the battlefield of Verdun, seen from - Montfaucon</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig147">fig147</a></td> - <td class="figcap">German observation-post, through the embrasure of - which the above panoramic view was taken</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig150">fig150</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Avocourt Village in March, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig151">fig151</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Cross in the middle of Avancourt Village in - April, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig152">fig152</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Trench in the ruins of Avancourt Village in April, - 1917</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig153">fig153</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Site of Avancourt Village in November, 1918</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig154">fig154</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Malancourt Wood in 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig155">fig155</a></td> - <td class="figcap">In the ruins of Verdun</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#fig156">fig156</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Refugees from Verdun district passing through - Souilly along the “Sacred Way.”</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p class="tabtitle">List of Maps</p> - -<table class="illns" summary="List of maps"> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map001">map001</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Verdun—Pivot of the Battle of the Marne</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map002">map002</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Verdun Front, from the Battle of the Marne - until the great German offensive in 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map003">map003</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Plan of the German Offensive of February, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map004">map004</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The “Sacred Way,” and the Narrow-Gauge Meuse - Railway</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map005">map005</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The Central Attack</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map006">map006</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[The German advance through Haumont Wood, 21st and - 22nd of February, 1916]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map007">map007</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The German general attack on both banks of the - Meuse</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map008">map008</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[The French offensives of 24th of October, 1916]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map009">map009</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[The French offensive of 12th of December, 1916]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map010">map010</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[The French offensive of 20th of August, 1917]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map011">map011</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[The American Offensive of 26th September, 1918]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map012">map012</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[The Franco-American Offensive of 9th October, 1918]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map013">map013</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[German and Allied Offensives near Verdun, - 1915–1918]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map014">map014</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The City of Verdun</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map015">map015</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[The centre of the City of Verdun]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map016">map016</a></td> - <td class="figcap">1st Itinerary: The Right Bank of the Meuse and the - forts</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map017">map017</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[The Verdun battlefield]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map018">map018</a></td> - <td class="figcap">German advance on March 8 and 9, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map019">map019</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[Outline map of the cross-roads near the Chapel of - St Fine]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map020">map020</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The approaches to Douaumont Fort and Village</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map021">map021</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The front on the morning of February 26th (26/2) - and on the morning of the 27th (27/2)</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map022">map022</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The German advance on Feb. 24th, 1916</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map023">map023</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[Outline map showing the vantage point of - the panoramic view seen from Talou Hill]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map024">map024</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[2nd Intinerary: the Left Bank of the Meuse]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map025">map025</a></td> - <td class="figcap">[Outline map showing the vantage point of the - panoramic view seen from Oie Hill]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map026">map026</a></td> - <td class="figcap">The German attacks of March 5th-14th, 1916, on the - left bank of the Meuse</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map027">map027</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Outline-map of the ground covered by the above - panoramic view [seen from Esnes]</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="figno"><a href="#map028">map028</a></td> - <td class="figcap">Sketch-map of the battlefield, as seen by the - Germans from the eminence of Montfaucon</td> -</tr> -</table> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Verdun and the Battle for its -Possession, by Michelin & Cie - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VERDUN AND THE BATTLE FOR *** - -***** This file should be named 53408-h.htm or 53408-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/4/0/53408/ - 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