Why so many 1917 Artillery luger in N.Z,

Navy · 05-30-2003, 07:08 AM

The Verdun campaign is fascinating. I have been to the battlefield and surrounding areas many times over the years. The frogs have done a pretty good job with their "Museum of the Trenches" in capturing the essence of the slaughter that typified the battle. Having said that, one cannot really appreciate it all unless you actually walk the ground and go through the remains of Fort Duamont. There are areas where the earth is still very spongy from the artillery fire even after all these years. As you walk about the area you need to be mindful that there is still a great deal of uxo and be very careful of what you pick up. I have a large shell splinter and an engineer picket that one of my sons brought back.
Fort Douamont looks like a mound of dirt from the outside; inside, it still has the smell and feel of a garrison that was under siege for a long time.
The best account of the battle in English of which I am aware is The Price of Glory by Alister Horne...a very interesting read, and one that made me very glad my war was many years later.

Tom A.

05-30-2003, 07:08 AM	#5
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	The Verdun campaign is fascinating. I have been to the battlefield and surrounding areas many times over the years. The frogs have done a pretty good job with their "Museum of the Trenches" in capturing the essence of the slaughter that typified the battle. Having said that, one cannot really appreciate it all unless you actually walk the ground and go through the remains of Fort Duamont. There are areas where the earth is still very spongy from the artillery fire even after all these years. As you walk about the area you need to be mindful that there is still a great deal of uxo and be very careful of what you pick up. I have a large shell splinter and an engineer picket that one of my sons brought back. Fort Douamont looks like a mound of dirt from the outside; inside, it still has the smell and feel of a garrison that was under siege for a long time. The best account of the battle in English of which I am aware is The Price of Glory by Alister Horne...a very interesting read, and one that made me very glad my war was many years later. Tom A.