The Kaufmann’s consider all aspects of the battle, the employment of relatively new technology like aircraft, the use of artillery, and most important of all, the effect the battle would have on future French military planning, for instance their faith in the Maginot Line. The Kaufmann’s thoroughly researched book thoroughly researched book attempts to explain why. Prior to the battle, the Germans assumed that they had picked one of the strongest sections of the French defences to attack, and that if they broke though there, the French army would collapse.īut the reality was that most of the forts at Verdun were disarmed and the trench lines were in complete.īut the German army were not able to take Verdun.
It was, and is, one of the most controversial battles of the Great War. So, I particularly enjoyed learning more about the Battle of Verdun, and in this value-for-money book, there is most certainly a lot to learn. In those stories, a French soldier called Blue tells the story of the Battle of Verdun, with an excellent script from Pat Mills (who memorably refers to the Battle of Verdun at one point as ‘France’s Alamo’) and beautifully illustrated by Joe Colquhon, one of the all time great artists in any field. I first came across the Battle of Verdun in the great Charley’s War stories by Pat Mills and Joe Colquhon (easily the fairest and best World War One graphic novel series)
#Verdun 1916 full#
It seems a small tome but is full of info, from maps and photos, to side articles regarding different aspects and characters of the battle and the Great War in general. Amazon review by Germaniaĥ stars - Great Amazon review by martin leslie buckingham The price is a bit high, but the book is well worth it. If you only get one book on World War I, this is the one I would recommend. The illustrations are numerous and for the most part well done although one of the best maps is the only one in color and is on the back cover. Everything is spelled out in the most understandable way which makes this a wonderful selection for the coverage of the battle. This is one of my favorite books on World War I since it ties everything together from 1914 until the great battle in 1916 and even includes information on the Eastern Front. Casemate, 109, May 2017 - reviewed by Bernard Lowry This is a fascinating and detailed study of essential interest to the keen student of fortification. They look too at how Verdun brought about a renaissance of fortress engineering that resulted in the creation of the Maginot Line and the other fortifications constructed in Europe before the Second World War. So why did the Germans fail to take Verdun?rnAs well as seeking to answer this fundamental question, the authors of this perceptive new study reconsider other key aspects of the battle – the German deployment of stormtroopers, the use of artillery and aircraft, how the French developed the idea of methodical battle which came to dominate their military thought after the war.
But Verdun was actually a hollow shell since its forts were largely disarmed and the trench lines were incomplete. Before the battle the Germans believed they had selected one of the strongest points in the French defences in the hope that, if they smashed through it, the French would collapse. Wrapped in myth and distortion, the Battle of Verdun is one of the most enigmatic battles of the Great War, and the controversy continues a century later.
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