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?
"Tuesday, April 11, 1916.The day before yesterday the Battle of Verdun seems to have attained a paroxysm of horror and fury. Along the whole line the fierce waves of the German offensive have been victoriously repulsed.Never before in her history has the soul of France risen to such heights. Sazonov, whose moral conscience is quite unusually sensitive, was deeply moved as he used these words to me this morning."
Germans forces struck mightily at the Verdun sector on April 9, 1916, attacking northwest of the city, at the high ground of Mort-Homme and Cote 304, with their heaviest bombardment since beginning the Battle on February 21. The French held, and on April 10, French General Pétain famously concluded his order of the day with 'Courage! On les aura!' — Courage! We'll get them! Entry for April 11, 1916 from the memoirs of Maurice Paléologue, French Ambassador to Russia. Sergei Sazonov was the Russian Foreign Minister.
An Ambassador's Memoirs Vol. II by Maurice Paléologue, page 229, publisher: George H. Doran Company
1916-04-11, 1916, April, Battle of Verdun, Verdun, Mort-Homme, Mort Homme, Hill 304, Cote 304, Côte 304
