The Verdun Regiment by The Verdun Regiment

Author:The Verdun Regiment
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Military / World War I
ISBN: 9781526710314
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2018-10-19T00:00:00+00:00

Attack of 9 April

The German operation scheduled for 9 April would be the largest assault at Verdun since the opening day of the offensive on 21 February. This was to be a general assault against both the left and right banks simultaneously, something which General von Falkenhayn had failed to commit to before. The mission to take Mort Homme was given to the German XXII Reserve Corps. Throughout the night of 8–9 April, on the German side things remained eerily quiet; it was the calm before the storm. The same was not so in the French lines, where thorough preparations were actively carried out. Trenches were deepened, parapets strengthened, and boyaux intended only for circulation were changed into fighting trenches. Campana’s platoon had been placed on the south side of Côte 295 in a cover trench just below the summit. While it was sheltered from direct frontal fire, the position was open to enfilade fire from the German guns from the far off Côte de Talou on the right bank. Moreover, German aircraft had already surveilled and photographed their trench, all but guaranteeing they would make an easy target for the German artillery. To make matters worse, Campana had no view of Lieutenant Olivier’s position in the first-line trench that traversed the ravine on the western face of 295. Nor could he see the enemy’s trenches, save the profile of his second lines on Côte 265. Not all was lost though. Campana could see an advanced post 30m from his own trench that was situated on the summit of the hill and enjoyed a commanding view of the surrounding area. Seizing the initiative, he shifted his men to the post and resolved to have it enlarged during the night. Having distributed picks and shovels, Campana explained the purpose of their work, the importance of which was lost on no one: they were literally digging for their lives. All through the night and into the early morning hours of 9 April, the men dug energetically without a break. And when daylight finally came, the advantage of the new position was obvious. The post overlooked the ravine between Mort Homme and Côte 265 to the northwest, affording unobstructed views of Lieutenant Olivier’s positions immediately in front, the entire German defensive system, and the positions of 7, 8, and 9 Companies to the east. To the west Campana could see Côte 304 and off to the north Montfaucon, where the German Crown Prince would observe the battle.

The early morning of 9 April remained calm. As he awoke, Jubert gazed upon his slumbering men: ‘They were sleeping, with no suspicion that death hovered over them. Like condemned men, they would be awoken only so that they could die.’ Up on the crest above him, L’Huillier was making his rounds, accompanied by an artillery spotter from the 61 FAR. Not as single gunshot or artillery shell could be heard. As he passed through 6 Company’s line, a soldier quipped in a northern accent, ‘They’ve stuffed our heads again.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.