^^.fccHELIN'S ILLUSTRATED GUIDE5 ^1 TO THE BATTLE-FIELDiS (1914-1918) VERDUN Ârgonne-Metz 1914-1918 MICHELIN ^ d*-CLERMONT-FERRAND MICHELIN TyRE C*L"-LONDON MICHELIN TIRE C*-MILLTOWN,N.wl.U.S.A. n oC/3 c H H o 3 3 e 9 MEMORIAL FUND TO THE DEFENDERS OF VERDUN MORTUARY OF DOUAUMONT (A War Fund authorised by Ministerial décret dated 3/12/19) -o-0-<^ On the battlefield of Verdun, millions of men engaged in a battle of giants ; 400,000 French soldiers fell there on^a front of 20 kilomètres. A fund has been established with the object of erecting a Mortuary in the centre of the battlefield, at a point whence the whole field may be viewed. The site chosen is situated between the Fort of Douaumont and the Thiaumont redoubt (See pages 96-99 of this Guide). The Patrons are Marshal FoCH, M. Raymond PoiNCARÉ, and His Excellency, the cardinal DuBOIS. The executive Committee, under the honorary presidency of Marshal PÉTAIN, is presided over by S. G. Mgr GiNiSTY, Bishop of Verdun, General BoiCHUT, commanding the 12th Infantry Division, the Commandant of Verdun, General ValanTIN, formerly commandmg the town and forts of Verdun and the Hauts-de-Meuse. Thè names of ail subscribers will be registered m a golden Book to be kept in the basilica. At the top of the list will be the names of the Founder members who hâve subscribed 500 francs or more. On the inside walls of the monument will be carved inscriptions which families may wish to place in memory of their dead. An artistic diploma by Georges ScoTT is sent to every sub- scriber of 20 francs, on which there is a reproduction of Marshal PÉTAI n's autograph and an acknowledgement of the subscriber's interest in the mémorial (Photo, herewith). Subscriptions may be sent : to Verdun, to S. G. Mgr Gl- NISTY, Bishop of Verdun, and to M^ ScHLEITER, solicitor ; to Paris, toPrincess Henri DePolignac, 26, avenue Montaigne. 2 inséparables The Michelin Road Map and Guide. The Guide, for the town. The Map, for the country. They complète one another, without overlapping. Use thetn together. IN MEMORY OF THE MICHELIN EMPLOYEES AND WORKMEN WHO DIED GLORIOUSLY FOR THEIR COUNTRY 'Z^ Q' z^'il D VERDUN m Argonne - Metz (1914-1918) (!^""^-^ .'tts Copyright 1919 by Michelin & Cie. AU righis of translation, adaptation or reproduction (in part or whole) reserved in ail countries. VERDUN ORIGIN AND POLITICAL HISTORY Verdun, one of Francc's most ancicnt ciliés, was first a Gallic, tlien under the nanie of Viroduniim Castrum, a Roman fortress. In 843 the celcbratcd treaty which divided the Carolingian Empire and annexed Verdun to the Kingdom of Lorraine was signed therc. From 870 to 879 Verdun became part of France, but in 923 it was incorporated in the German Empire. As a county, it was governcd 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 lOth century, Bishop Haimont, of Verdun, persuaded Ihe Count of Verdun to transfcr his rights to hini. 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 privilèges which were confirmed bj^ François II in 1559. During the Reli- gious Wars, the town was for the Leaguers, and only agreed lo 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 liiston', Verdun is a typical fortified town. Froni time immémorial it has played an important part in resisting invasion, as witness its fortified camp and citadel. Since 1870 it has been the centre of a stronghold formed bj- a rougir semi-circle of hills and slopes bristling with défensive works and batteries. Since the year 450, when Attila left it " like a field ravaged by wild bcasts ", it has been besieged at least ten times. Charles the Fifth besieged and took it in 1544, but after a seven years occupation it was rctaken by Henry II of France in 1552. The Huguenots tried to take it by surprise in 1589, but were unable to overcome the résis- tance of the citizens. Siège of 1792. — In 1792, the Prussians attacked and bombardcd the town, defended by Beaurepaire with only thirty-two guns and forty-four artillerymen. The (Louncil of Defence, urged thereto by the Anti-Repu- blican section of the population, decided to capitulate, in spite of opposition on the part of Beaurepaire, who died soon afterwards at the Town Hall by his own hand, according to sonie, others holding that he was assassi- nated. 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 bail at Regret, at which the women of Verdun danced. The victory of Valmy forced the Prussians to leave Verdun. On Octobcr 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. Siège of 1870. — In 1870, Verdun offered a more stubborn résistance. 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 untrained men and 1,400 men of the National Sedentary Guard, while its armament consisted of twenty mortars, twenty-one howitzers and ninety-six guns, of which the barrels of only forty-six were rifled. Under the command of General Guerin de Walders- bach, secondcd by General Marmier, this small garrison repulsed a violent 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 cnemy had completcly 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, twcnty-five artillery- men and 100 foot soldicrs surpriscd the two German batteries on Heyvaux Hill, betwecn Thiervillc and Regret, on the left bank, and after hand-to- hand fighting, spiked ail the guns. After the fall of Metz, Verdun, besieged by 15,000 men with 140 heavy guns, in addition to field artillery, surrendered on Novembcr 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 Pi-efect who governed Verdun and the Meuse province was Von Bethmann Hollweg. Ccnrrup\ègn/^ September 9th 1914. Tk After ihe altack of Ihe German right wing by Maunoiiry's army, the English arn between the first and second German armies and cause the VERDUN DURING THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE After the French manœuvre at the frontiers was checked and with the threat of a German envelopment in the West, General Joffre steadfastly withdrew from the battle and ordered a gênerai retreat until the moment when the French troops were re-united. As soon as a favourable moment to drive back offered, it would be possible to take up a position and then the enemy. left a mass movement The plan was as follows : to carry out on the the (6th Army under Maunoury) to outflank, at the propitious moment, German rïght, while a gênerai attack or at any rate a desperate résistance should take place on ail the rest of the front, from Paris to the Vosges. The enemy's objective was first of ail to wipe out the allied forces, the right having instructions to pursue the French left and the English army, before turning upon Paris which was to be seized like a pluni ready to be Prince was in command of the pursuit ; picked I In the centre, the Crown he saw his fourlh cavalry corps pushing out their scouts towards the line, Dijon-Besançon-Belfort. Hère were dreams of triumph destined to give place to surprise, then doubt and flnallv the bitterness of defeat. On September 5th, Gallieni reported the Germans creeping towards arrived and the South-East. The moment for the French manœuvre had Joffre launched the gênerai offensive. On September 6th-7th, the Sixth Army attacked the German right brought wing. To guard himself against this flank menace, Von Kluck up three army corps in succession from his frontal attack. SaTT^cboitrg JVTTLE OF THE MaRNE. nd Franchet d'Esperey's army threalened to break Ihe cominiinicnlion isty relreat which was reflecled gradiially ail along the front. September 7th-8th. This diminution of strength allowed the English Army and the second Frcnch Army under Franchet d'Esperey to advance. September 9th-10th. The Second Army threatened to eut off the contact between the First and Second Gernian Armies and to take them in rear.