110 years ago today started a crucial offensive on the Verdun battlefield. Having taken several objectives since the battle started on 21st February, such as Fort Douaumont on the right bank of the River Meuse overlooking the citadel of Verdun, the forces of Imperial Germany faced a serious problem.
French artillery and observation posts positioned on the left bank of the Meuse atop the hills Mort-Homme and 304 had been raining hell on the German advance. Eric Von Falkenhayn, the Chief of the German General Gtaff had been warned about this certainty, but he chose to ignore his Generals, citing a need to keep reserves only for the right bank. The infantry and their advance was now suffering the consequences and so it was only a matter of time until that decision was unwound, and it came on 6th March. So began one of the most brutal slogs across the Verdun battlefield.
The ominously named Mort-Homme was the key first objective as it lay relatively unprotected by fortifications. However, natural obstacles and further defensive fire could be brought down upon it from its neighbours, Goose Hill to the east and Hill 304 (the number referring to its height) to the west.
German troops of 12th and 22nd Silesian Reserve divisions started a two pronged attack of Goose Hill and Mort-Homme. What was to come for the next two months was the bloodiest of fighting, Germans inching their way up the side of Mort Homme, French soldiers doing all they could to push them back down. Conditions were so awful, that even cases of typhoid were reported. Eventually, the Germans reached the summits of their objectives, but could go on no longer. Attention was needed elsewhere as the battle raged on, on the right bank, rendering their foothold on the left bank largely pyrrhic.
The monument on Mort Homme is highly evocative
Ils n’ont pas passe.
They did not pass.
Mort Homme Monument, Verdun Battlefield
The year of the 110 anniversary of this battle is no better time to explore the Verdun battlefields. Sophie’s Great War Tours guides are experts in bringing WW1 to life with its highly personalised, professional approach. We are one of a tiny handful of fully ATOL bonded company’s who offer bespoke English speaking guiding of the Verdun battlefields.