Verdun: Into the Darkness of Regret (Exploring an Abandoned Fort) | History Traveler Episode 309

Following the Franco-Prussian War, the city of Verdun found itself on the frontline of a new postwar border. In order to turn this crossroads city into a fortress, a ring of fortifications were built around Verdun. On of those was Fort du Regret. In this episode, we're getting unlimited access to this closed fort to get a taste of what it was like for the French soldiers who fought here during The Battle of Verdun.
This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory...
Support the effort to expand history education on PATREON: / historyunderground
Set yourself up with a 10% DISCOUNT on all Origin gear and nutritional products by entering the code "history10" at www.originmaine.com!
Other episodes that you might enjoy:
- Documenting Death: Verdun's Military Museum | History Traveler Episode 308: • Documenting Death: Ver...
- The Sacred Way of Verdun | History Traveler Episode 307: • The Sacred Way of Verd...
- The German Dead of Verdun | History Traveler Episode 306: • The German Dead of Ver...
- Verdun & the Judgement of Fort Douaumont | History Traveler Episode 304: • Verdun & the Judgment ...
- Verdun: First Blood & the Death of a French Hero | History Traveler Episode 303: • Verdun: First Blood & ...

[@robmisener2786]

With JD's videos I have a habit of hitting the like button even before watching lol. I've never been wrong.

[@terryadams1951]

that makes two of us...lol

[@dradden1556]

Yeah me too. Lol

[@GlasgowCeltic88]

Me... 4?? lol The second I open his video I'm tapping the 👍.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@terryeustice5399]

Me too !

[@dfusit]

“That was pretty darn cool” Well said JD.

[@KairuDeLarge]

That doggo is a good boy for helping to preserve history.

[@markstott6689]

Back in the 1970s, as a child in the UK, I got a comic every week called simply "Battle."" I remember it taught the horror of Verdun. It put me off the Great War for decades. Hence, I knew very little. I have learned more with this series of videos than I have probably learned in the last 45 years. Thank you for covering such an important part of history. Equally a very grim and dark period of history. Watching even in the 21st century, horror lingers in these places. ❤❤❤

[@TheRagratus]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! JD made it through a bunker without bashing his noggin somewhere. Even more laudable since the floor was kinda sketchy, he had to worry about what was below him instead of what was above him.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😅

[@renemartiny8681]

I living 60 years near Verdun, and i have no idea of this fort. Thanks for this discovery

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

No worries! Glad that you enjoyed it.

[@adriennejames9120]

Dang, JD, I appreciate that you put yourself in real danger of injury to bring us these videos! Those floors and stairs were very sketchy!! 🤕

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Yeah, they were actually worse than they looked.

[@cleverusername9369]

​@@TheHistoryUndergroundhey but you didn't hit your head on anything this time! That's an improvement 😉

[@Chiller11]

Yikes

[@Peace2U-ec6es]

What's better than spending a Sunday morning with JC and JD? Awesome content!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

I really appreciate you providing us access to places usually off limits. Very unique and interesting experience. Thanks!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@glenwitteman2585]

When I was there in the early 1960's, we had driven from West Germany where my stepdad was stationed. The battlefields and forts around Verdun had the same vibe of the concentration camps of Dachau and Matthausen . My mother said those places were like a scream cut off about halfway through. I agreed then and now. An excellent job, JD. I appreciate you.

[@Spitsz01]

You must see "La Ferte" near La Ferte-sur-Chiers as part of the Maginot line. Part of the Montmedy bridgehead in 1940 defended by the French 155th Fortress Infantry Regiment. Great tour by foot and much of the hardware in tact! The views are breathtaking and the history is amazing. So is the young woman giving the tours.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

On my list.

[@roynichols4745]

This was one of the most fascinating videos of the working mechanism of just a small part of the complex war machine and hiw it would operate. Great video for sure.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@dr_zeus5883]

I have always wondered how those turrets went up and down. Very cool to see it in action after 100+ years!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty cool that they have it operational.

[@Wreckdiver59]

I would love to play around with the gun turrets just to see how something that old operated. Very interesting fort. I'm glad someone is taking the time to preserve it 👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, they’re doing a great work there. All volunteers too.

[@Thoosken1386]

First things first: I love this series! Now, since you said you are a bunker junkie I can recommend a visit in the fort of Battice, near Liege in Belgium. The stories are wild and it has slides for the troops to enter in a case of emergency!

[@kennaannek]

The music in this one was awesome!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@cindymcmurray6879]

Thank u to all. This was fantastic!!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Our pleasure!

[@TribeTaz]

This Verdun series is amazing. Learning so much about WW1

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!!!

[@emilygardner4829]

I had to concentrate so hard on his words to get through the thick accent but I loved the authenticity even more from one of these "History Hero's" himself. Absolutely incredible. I have zero interest in weapons and "tactical items" but that turret made my heart skip a beat. Watching that thing spin gave me goosebumps! This is priceless work these folks are doing. What a find! 2- 5.5 out of 5 stars on this video.. extra credit for not hitting your head inside the fort, dad-gum-it!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😅👍🏻

[@greggriffin1]

Thank you always learn so much from your vids, thats way we never miss them

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@pauldouglas3084]

Really interesting video mate gust love that building love looking at bunkers from ww2 can't wait for the next video

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@craigfroese6689]

Amazing job, JD. Imagine being in the fort during a seige. Terrifying!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Can’t even imagine it.

[@frankmarullo228]

Another awesome video my friend... THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA...question ,, Do you ever get tired of people telling you how good your work is . ( because it is that good ) ...

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@willo.2324]

18:02 😂😂😂 I thought it said 40 homies I had to rewind and look again. And then when you said it held about 40 men I just started laughing out loud like wow 40 homies wasn't far off😂😂😂

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😅

[@thelocalmaladroit8873]

Absolutely fascinating. Thanks for taking us along with you.

[@narcanninja]

Dog: “I dunno if you saw that guy in the funny hat and long coat with the gun that walked past you JD, but I did, so I barked at him.”

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😅

[@InTheFootstepsofHeroes]

Amazing video, JD. Thank you for throwing light on to a battle that we’ve probably all heard of but most have never experienced the ground or the history.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gazzertrn]

Amazing Vid , really appreciate you putting these on .People need to Know the savagery of past wars , must have been a nightmare trapped in that place .

[@keithbrown1718]

Watching you walk around a dark fort so close to Halloween made me wonder if you’ve ever had any paranormal things that you’ve noticed? Not sure if you believe in ghosts, but just made me curious. Love the channel and all the content!

[@kurt53641]

Agreed. Verdun is an especially a place of death.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

None. Thanks for watching!

[@pimhoff]

Amazing the amount of mechanical advantage you would need to raise and lower a 50-ton gun turret in 5 seconds with two men using hand cranks. Just mechanical genius to make that work.

[@niek2626]

I never gave much thought about the first world war being interesting because for my idea it was really static. Boy i was wrong...

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh man. The First World War is endlessly fascinating. Helps me to better understand WWII as well.

[@corychecketts]

Amazing tour. That fort is absolutely haunting. WW1 had a medieval vibe that WW2 didn’t.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Very much so.

[@sscinamon]

That was so interesting. Thanks for all you do.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@markb.7642]

JD, I wish I had the ways and means to tag along on your travels, the inner military history geek in me would be on overload, thank you again for bringing us yet another facinating bit of history.

[@Captkman]

I truly enjoyed this episode.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@rtk3543]

Great work DJ love this series.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@jetsons101]

JD, another great watch, so much information. One thing the vid can't show how bad the smell must have been like during battle, with having to use the inside toilets -- all the body odor -- guns firing with all the ventilation being closed for hours on end while under attack.

[@jetsons101]

Those "slit windows" at 22:17 are somewhat like Castle Murder Holes where hot oil or hot anything could be dropped down on the attackers, not fun for the attackers --- OUCH Another great watch, thanks to JD for his time, work and posting.....

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@bradmiller3367]

Not sure which is more enjoyable; the learning or JDs enthusiasm of discovery!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙂

[@ronnylee8393]

Thanks again for your hard work.

[@cyndiebill6631]

This has to be one of the coolest forts you’ve ever taken us too. Everything about it is fascinating.👍All though waking up the bat was a little mean. 😁🦇

[@davidwillis4839]

The kid in me sees the ultimate place to play “Army Men”. Great video!

[@Youcannotfalter]

I do not regret watching this video. Outstanding.

[@TheRagratus]

OK, I have a serious question for anyone that can answer. What is the significance of the red stripe at approximately 6ft up on the walls? I noticed some walls have them and others don't. I have a guess it was a "no smoking area". Some rooms have munitions (red stripes) and others do not (no stripes)?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

It was painted on the walls of the later addition. The stripe was a sign to soldiers that you were in a safe area.

[@ANTI_FAscist_WW2champs]

shoutout to the your guide.. super chill vibes 👍🏻

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@sebmonster1100s]

Great video, I just came back form Verdun yesterday. It was great to be there and watch your videos in the hotel room😊

[@pigpaul]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! What an adventure!!! Can’t wait for the next video.❤

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

More to come!

[@harley909]

You’re absolutely knocking it out of the park

[@cinzo7238]

What an incredible piece of history! Thanks JD

[@carolharmon4638]

This was an excellent video. To be able to see how things worked and the actual turret room in Fort Regret certainly help my passion for military memorabilia. Almost as thrilling as being there. Thank for your video, as wonderful as all the ones you post. I have learned alot.

[@steenr8372]

I have visited Verdun three times. The first time in my childhood in 1960.. Later when I had read Alistair Horne's book "Verdun 1916"

[@jagc1969]

One of the most interesting videos I've seen. Thanks a lot for sharing.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@vaughnbluejr5960]

I was waiting for the moment that you'd say, "Dang! Just bumped my head!" 🤣

[@1psychofan]

Very cool that you had this access! Awesome

[@wayneallen3035]

JD these videos are superb! The music, the filming and the insight are first class! Thanks so much for bringing history to us and keep up the good work! 👍🏻

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them! Thanks.

[@Mark-pd8mu]

That was one great Episode I will surely come back to!

[@marctremblay8087]

That was so darn cool and the way it has been preserved and being restored. excellent video on the works and the history , i hope it will be bought into some kind of living history museum one day with the barracks set up with beds, uniforms and the kitchen on display as well.

[@la_old_salt2241]

Outstanding JD!

[@terryeustice5399]

Know it must be a rush touring These old French Forts. Fort Regret. Like the others. Being this old and still being somewhat intact. There are a lot of interesting things. The machine gun. Looked like a gatlin gun. Enjoyed it JD great video! 💯👍👊

[@RoweFilms]

Loving this Great War content JD!

[@jean-philippeplanas9682]

Outstanding. Thank you.

[@dawnlefevre9172]

Absolutely fascinating!! When you think of a fort you imagine cannons and munitions etc but not the fact that the military personnel have to live there and with that is everyday living needs!!! So cool!

[@I_am_a_melon1992]

Amazing! I love that they where able to restore that piece!! Also i liked how this was a longer video

[@steveshipkie1624]

Loving this series

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@danielsexton467]

Outstanding episode. Thank you sir.

[@camdodge9891]

JD great work Another amazing video thank you and keep up the good work JD

[@Nighthawk1966]

Thanks for the front row seat to an awesome adventure buddy !!!👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

You bet!

[@kdcowboy9478]

Great video thanks.

[@jimcronin2043]

I am wondering how the fort got its name "Regret". Perhaps it was someone's name, or did the French imply that the Germans would 'regret' having attacked it? Or does it mean something completely different in the French language?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Not sure.

[@joeritchie4554]

Another great and interesting video. Very informative.

[@merlijnveijk855]

There are so many forts there

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yes there are.

[@1redcougar175]

Nice job, great presentation.

[@paulthompson9557]

Really enjoy your history channel.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@carlvondrunker7855]

The working machine gun turret was awesome!

[@gregoryegan4132]

Thank you !

[@dankorolyk5917]

Great episode JD

[@carlsanders4680]

Amazing !!!!!!

[@brianprather3261]

Awesome video man can you imagine living in there with all the gun fire going off how many people went deaf

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Crazy.

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

Bravo 👏🏻 JD!

[@jackruzicka7508]

“Bunker Junkie” needs to be a history traveler t-shirt 😎

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

😅

[@dradden1556]

Very cool

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@chiefslief1886]

Very interesting wow! ❤greetings from the Netherlands 👍🏻👍🏻✌🏻🇱🇺

[@JohnReedy07163]

As a construction guy, I guarentee you that staircase is considered fully operational in some jurisdictions..... Oh and that machine gun turret is so freaking cool!

[@MrEaglesfan40]

Excellent work JD this has been a great series, the fort looks immense and manning one of those guns or the machine gun turret would have been very tight and loud as heck, I can only imagine being bomb barded while in it would have nerve wracking to say the least Thank you JD

[@kilo3324]

Thanks!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@tyronebailey52]

Great Material ❤

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like it!

[@robertmorris7332]

wow learning so much about WWI from you. So interesting

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad to hear it!

[@MrBradleyDavid]

Very cool JD! The closest we have to that in the states are the pre-civil war coastal forts and Endicott Battery positions.

[@MrWhitelightning73]

In the introduction, there was a soldier with a long face mask. What was the purpose of that mask

[@mannymarin7317]

I believe that is the French M2 gas mask or the Italian polivalente z gas mask

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Gas mask.

[@MrWhitelightning73]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Thanks

[@Chiller11]

1870’s would have been just after the Franco Prussian War. Hastened German unification and altered the power balance of continental Europe. Really interesting tour, next level derelict concrete.

[@kevindecoteau3186]

I would really like to see/hear you do a doc. about the mass shootings that happen in this country.

[@4nthr4x]

JD has learned his lesson. Instead of bumping his own head, he's bumping the audience's head with the camera :D

[@larryburwell8550]

great video, the germans finally realized in 1940 that all these french forts and the maginot line were monuments to stupidity, and drove around all this stuff thru belgium and captured the whole country of france in a few short months. as isolated as this area is why does france maintain it. i cant imagine many visitors. the maginot line cant be a proud point for the french, it was never used in war and the germans stripped it of weapons and used them on the atlantic wall.

[@orwellboy1958]

Hi JD, I wonder if you have considered doing the forts and coastal defences of the UK?

[@neilfurby555]

Before they are all converted into trendy apartments!

[@paulthompson9557]

Would be great to see your take on the Forts on the south coast of England, Fort Nelson Would be a great Fort to visit.

[@stevenrogers9174]

Thanks, JD for the WWI content, loving all the episodes. Was wondering being you are on WWI are plans to visit and cover Chatel-Chéhéry, France where Alvin C. York was? Thank you so much for taking us through your travels, this is stuff most people never see or hear.

[@amesbancal]

Very good narrative and editing it is pro but human at same time.

[@JennaCee]

What a treasure!! And what a tour!! Just fantastic. I wonder - how were these forts used, if at all during the second world war? It seems they survived pretty well?

[@83veteran]

Have you ever visited the izonso line? there are trenches bunker sites and everywhere museums about ww1 to see its in Slovenia near the place bovec, you have to go there if you can. There where 13 battles from 1915 til 1917 AustrianHungarians against the Italians All over Slovenia

[@donkeek8107]

Great video! Have you been to Fort Eben-Emael in Belgium? You should go there if you can! WW2 fort with a great story.