![]() ![]() ![]() However, the French were able to reinforce an existing road between Verdun and the rail line and assign it exclusively to military traffic. They thought they had a strategic advantage because they had direct rail access to the area, which assured them of adequate supplies, reinforcements, and medical support, whereas the nearest French rail depot (Bar-le-Duc) was 50 miles to the south. ![]() The strength of the French fortifications at Verdun was well known, but the Germans (referred to by the French as “les Bosches”) believed that they could capture Verdun and move quickly into the heart of France. Standing in a trench with only a few men near, not another thing in sight, except a great number of airplanes, with the realization that one is in the midst of a great modern battle, beggars description.Ī study of the Verdun experience at that time was worthwhile, because it presented the ultimate example of trench warfare that was in progress all across northern France. The terrific effect of artillery fire and bursting shells under which the ground fairly trembled, is at times appalling. Army (RG 120, HQ 1st Division, Records of the American Expeditionary Forces, ARC ID 301641, Box 122, Item #1350). However, I recently discovered the report of an American officer who was sent to study the battle in 1917 on behalf of the U.S. Army was not involved in Verdun the worst of the fighting there took place during 1916, before the U.S. The Battle of Verdun (1916-18) was one of the most important battles of World War I, and a significant event in the history of modern warfare. The Verdun area had been fortified since the Roman era, and was surrounded by a ring of massive forts at the time of the first World War. Verdun is the principal city of the Meuse River valley, a historic corridor of aggressive contact between French and German interests. Army and in 1955-56 stationed in Verdun, France. Today’s post is by Lee Preston, a National Archives volunteer.ĭuring the Cold War, I was drafted into the U.S. ![]()
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