The recent visit of Nicolas Sarkozy in Verdun has coincided with the 81st anniversary of the beginning of this terrible battle, one of the deadliest in history human. Stories and Polemics had to return to this event, especially since, Lorraine, I carry the scars of this sad time. 1916: The so-called Great War began, 18 months ago. Triggered by the assassination of the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, though the conflict had started under the auspices of a "short war and joyful." The French, who went joyfully back in August 14 Alsace and Lorraine felt back for the harvest. Soon the turn of events has totally changed the game: the war movement has succeeded a war of position, wear trench, a terrible war, punctuated by human unprecedented bloodletting and hosted by incompetents who have a tactic: throw as many men into the fray hoping to outflank the enemy.
February 21, 1916 at Verdun, the Germans launched the war by bombing during four days without stopping the site. For the German General Falkenhayn goal is simple: the forces of France will be bled to death ... we reach our goal or not. We can not be clearer. Verdun is a strategic role: it is almost a weapons factory (Briey Thionville) and is a lock that would encircle the French forces. In addition, Joffre preparing an offensive on the Somme. We must therefore take the speed.
The first shell fell in the yard Bishops of Verdun. Two million more will follow over the next 96 hours. A deluge of iron meant to undermine the morale of French soldiers. The landscape is lunar (a huge photograph can be seen in the museum of the battle shows an apocalyptic scene: more craters but no trees out of sight). 4 days later the fort was taken Douaumont. But it also has disadvantages rolling: the advance of German troops is greatly slowed down and this loss of time allows the French to reorganize. The man who implements the cons is another attack that General Petain who will win by the authority which will last resort in 1940.
Petain organizes an intensive rotation of troops, establishes a vital artery for refueling, the artery Carpinienne Maurice Barres called "The Sacred Way '. No parking is allowed on this road, every vehicle is pushed down to the ditch, the truck traffic should never stop. Finally, Petain uses aviation to predict enemy movements.
The battle itself is then engaged. It lasts 10 months. 300 000 men will die in this hell (163 000 French, 143 000 German), entire villages as Fleury are wiped out. October 24, Fort Douaumont is resumed. Fort Vaux was evacuated by the Germans in November. In December, the German troops returned to their starting line. Territorial gains: zero!
Verdun it was a battle for nothing? From a strategic standpoint, no doubt. The battle has allowed no gain on both sides. From a human perspective, it demonstrates the absurd uselessness Battles of the masses. But for the French soldier, like his contemporaries, Verdun has shown resistance to the enemy "Prussian." A battle for nothing? Probably. But a symbol that every French person should visit at least once in their life. Faced with the countless rows of crosses in front of the square Muslims, before the Jewish stele, then he will understand the incredible sacrifice of those soldiers who, while condemning an unnecessary war, gave their lives for France as they liked. They came from all places where they spoke French. They came to die at Verdun. Not for nothing, but to prevent the country falling.
On his way to Verdun on this anniversary, Sarkozy has only to pay tribute to the sacrifice of those who defended our country. It is the only candidate to have done probably has a symbolic value!
