The rulers of the Central Powers stumped by Verdun. Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, Mohammed V of Turkey, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, and Czar Ferdinand of Bulgaria puzzle over a map labeled "Verdun." The ink and watercolor drawing is dated March 4, 1916. By R. DLC?The German assault on Verdun began on February 21, 1916 and continued through August.
Illustrated map labeled "Verdun." Drawing dated March 4, 1916. By R. DLC?
"Wednesday, March 8, 1916.The fighting around Verdun is raging with redoubled ferocity. The Germans are attacking with large forces on both sides of the Meuse. Our line holds firm in spite of the intensity of their fire and the violence of their assaults."
Entry for March 8, 1916 from the memoirs of Maurice Paléologue, French Ambassador to Russia. On March 6 the Germans had launched an attack on Mort-Homme, high ground on the left bank of the Meuse, with a preliminary bombardment as intense as the one that had opened the Battle of Verdun on February 21.
An Ambassador's Memoirs Vol. II by Maurice Paléologue, page 202, publisher: George H. Doran Company
1916-03-08, 1916, March, Verdun, Battle of Verdun, Mort Homme, Mort-Homme
