Verdun 1916

Verdun stands for one of the most barbaric battles ever.  During the ten-month battle, troops on both sides of the lines endured horrific combat conditions never experienced before.  The best way to understand this complex battle is to accompany Markus, who has been studying this battle and battlefield for more than 35 years.

This trip will bring participants to the most important sites on the East Bank of the Meuse-River.  A short walk crossing the combat zone is a good supplement to understand the conditions the military and soldiers endured more than 100 years ago.

The battle of Verdun opened on February 21, 1916.  At the beginning of this 300-day battle the Germans gained several kilometers of territory and hit the French hard.  But further progress consumed more and more resources after the initial success.  French and German divisions alike suffered and were reduced to nothing within weeks in the line.

Two large-scale French attacks pushed the Kaiser’s army almost back to its original jump-off line.  By mid-December 1916, when the battle finally ended, both armies had lost close to 250,000 dead and nearly 500,000 wounded, gassed and missing men.

But this battlefield is also a place of reconciliation between the French and German nations.  Every year, citizens of both countries are involved in commemoration and reconciliation ceremonies.

Tour length and geography can vary based on client availability, interest level and physical ability.  Tour length can last from six hours to several days to explore this operation in depth.