The Hell of Verdun
The Douaumont Ossuary is a combined monument and cemetery of victims in the battles for Verdun during the First World War. The Battle of Verdun took place from February 21 to December 18, 1916 on the Western Front near Verdun in France. This 10-month battle was the longest battle of the First World War.
The German army fought with 50 divisions and the French with 75 divisions. 143,000 soldiers died on the German side, 163,000 on the French side. Many were mutilated beyond recognition in these battles in the ditches and mud. The English called it “The Hell of Verdun”.
The Douaumont Ossuary
After the First World War, a wooden shack was placed on the site where the Ossuary is now built, in which the victims found on the battlefield were placed in wooden boxes. The coffins were labeled with the names of the sectors where the unidentified soldiers were found. Bishop Charles Ginisrty began a fundraising campaign to obtain a more honorable provision for the deceased soldiers. On August 22, 1920, the foundation stone for the current Ossuary was laid. Construction lasted until 1932, on August 7 this year the monument was opened by the French president.
The strange shape of the building is explained by the fact that it represents a sword that is completely stuck into the earth, the hilt, the crossguard and the handle still protrude above the earth.
The monument is 137 meters long with a 46 meter high tower. The 200 steps take you to the bronze bell and the view over the cemetery at the foot of the Douaumont Ossuary. The monument also contains a Catholic chapel with stained glass windows.
There are 28 niches in the corridors of the monument, with two tombs in each niche. At the end of each of the two corridors are five tombs. Beneath the tombs lie the bones of 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers.
Visit
Check out the website for opening times of the Douaumont Ossuary.
Right in front of the Ossuary lies a cemetery with fallen soldiers of the Battle of Verdun.
Fascinating report, thank you.
You’re very welcome