The Battle of Verdun
The battle of Verdun in 1916 was fought between French and German forces and lasted from 21 February 1916 till 18 December 1916, 300 days and nights (10 months) of endless battles. With that it was the longest single battle of the First World War. In the end 26 000 000 shells were fired by artillery (6 shells per m2) and according to the official French and German estimations, there were 714.231 casualties, of which 262.308 French and German soldiers killed or missing.
The battlefields of Verdun still show the marks of battle, even after more than hundred years. Forts, villages destroyed beyond recognition, trenches, burial sites, monuments and museums help us understand of what happened here in 1916.
During a one or multiple day tour of the battlefield, I will give you an insight on the events of 1916, providing a look into the experiences of the soldiers that fought on either side.
De Slag om Verdun in 1916 werd uitgevochten tussen Franse en Duitse troepen en duurde van 21 februari 1916 tot 18 december 1916, 300 dagen en nachten (10 maanden) van eindeloze gevechten. Daarmee was het de langste aaneengesloten slag van de Eerste Wereldoorlog. Uiteindelijk werden er 26.000.000 granaten afgevuurd door artillerie (6 granaten per m²) en volgens de officiële Franse en Duitse schattingen vielen er 714.231 slachtoffers, waarvan 262.308 Franse en Duitse soldaten omkwamen of vermist raakten.
De slagvelden van Verdun vertonen nog steeds de sporen van de strijd, zelfs na meer dan honderd jaar. Forten, onherkenbaar verwoeste dorpen, loopgraven, begraafplaatsen, monumenten en musea helpen ons te begrijpen wat er zich hier in 1916 heeft afgespeeld.
Tijdens een eendaagse of meerdaagse tour over het slagveld geef ik u inzicht in de gebeurtenissen van 1916 en kunt u zich inleven in de ervaringen van de soldaten die aan beide kanten vochten.
Guest reviews:
Thank you Arno for a great trip and knowledge you’ve shared! Hope to see you again soon!
Jarek
Thank you Arno! It was great and I learned a lot!
Iris
It was a very good trip, thank you for sharing your Knowledge!
Majo
Arno. Thank you very much for your company and for the professionalism and educational input to an enjoyable and useful staff ride.
Den
Arno, was a great and full of knowledge trip, with the great guide, good company and superb food. Thank you for organising it. You have inspired me to the next explorations of the Great War.
Adrian
Arno, thanks a lot for your tour. I really liked the trick with the packages on Whatsapp. See you at Eben Emael next
Marco
Arno, "Job very well done!" Thank you very much.
Sławek
Arno, thank you very much for the deep knowledge you have shown on the subject, which has allowed us to learn and enjoy these two days of a very important stage in history.
Miguel