Fort Douaumont

Main entrance to the fort in January, 1916, with shell damage to the exterior wall. Although the battle officially began in February, there was occasional action over the previous two years.

Aerial view of the fort after intense fighting from May 22nd - 24th, 1916.

Observation post and casemate with eclipsing turrets in the distance, 2018.

Fort Douaumont, constructed between 1884 - 1886 is perhaps the most famous and highly contested defensive fortification in the entire ring of Verdun fortresses. Its name, which translates to "Divine Mountain" originates not only from its tremendous size and imposing nature, but also its elevation of 388 meters above sea level, at which it looks down over the entire Verdun battlefield. At the time of its completion Fort Douaumont was the largest fortress in the world, yet the changes in French army doctrine meant that by 1916 it was dangerously underpowered and understaffed. On the 25th of February, just four days into the battle, the French suffered the ultimate humiliation when a small group of Germans succeeded in taking the fort from its territorial garrison without firing a single shot. The French fought bitterly over the coming months to avenge the loss, yet they were only able to recapture the fort on the 24th of August, suffering tens of thousands of casualties in the process.