The Dead of Verdun at the Douaumont Ossuary | History Traveler Episode 317

[@roygarciaazborn64]

When you visit military cemeteries it makes you think how many are unaccounted for and still remain buried in the battlefield and no one with the exception of the descendents of those who fell will never know that these men, these human beings ever existed. All in all J.D. another well done video.

[@timvanacker5129]

On Tyne cot cemetery near Ypres in Flanders, Belgium, lie about 12000 men. Approximately 80% there is unknown. In the back is a wall to the missing, which contains 35000 names. It's an addition to the Menin gate in Ypres, where 55000 names of missing soldiers, or who have no known grave, are etched in the walls

[@pauldurkee4764]

If not losing these men was not bad enough, the fact that so many men remain missing to this day is heartbreaking. Some of the British cemeteries have so many headstones with the epitaph, An Unknown British Soldier, Known Only Unto God.

[@pauldurkee4764]

​@@timvanacker5129 The Menin Gate and Tyne Cot are well known, but many dont realise there are also memorials to the missing at La Ferte Sous Jouarre, Ploegsteert, Le Touret, Cambrai and Arras, these being just France and Belgium, this is not counting the memorials outside Europe, I think there are still over a quarter of a million men missing from the First World War.

[@bernardphilips3423]

Et en ce moment nous risquons de recommencer nous n avons rien compris

[@GMT439]

They Told me my Grandad died at Dunkirk and I know for a fact it's a LIE! I know all wars are Fake.

[@christophertipton2318]

I visited Verdun some years ago while I was in the military. I studied about the Ossuary and each of those windows looks into a separate vault. They divided the Verdun battlefield into zones and the bones found in a particular zone are deposited into the vault designated for that zone. Up inside the Ossuary, there are markers above each vault that described the zone and where on the battlefield it is located. The bones of both French and Germans are interred together if they cannot be recognized as belonging to one side or the other. Bones are still found regularly by visitors and farmers. An occasional farmer and EOD tech gets killed by the unexploded ordinance still out there. The Verdun battlefield is kind of a haunted place to visit.

[@volwars]

Agreed. Have visited the sites multiple times. Death still feels present.. Although really interesting, it gives me the creeps at the same time

[@geodes4762]

I visited there several times while stationed over in Kaiserslautern Germany which is an easy drive away. I recall while I was there the Ramstein American High School had a field trip to this site. Several students had picked up and removed live munitions and took them home. This caused a real panic within the Air Force community who lived and worked on the base.

[@jackthebassman1]

@@geodes4762And of course is illegal.

[@geodes4762]

@@jackthebassman1 Yes. It sure is! There are signs everywhere restricting access to many areas as well.

[@stephanedaguet915]

And very dangerous ... @@jackthebassman1

[@rhondafierko2952]

After reading "The Price of Glory" while in college, I went to Verdun in 1984 when I was stationed in Europe with the US Army. Myself, and a small group of my fellow Soldiers, visited on a warm, spring, sunny day. While it was perfect weather to walk the battlefield, something felt off. Then it struck us. It was absolutely silent. No birds chirping, no leaves rustling, no man-made sounds in the distance. Solemn is an understatement. That feeling has remained with me to this day. Lest we ever forgot the horrors of war.

[@johnhalstead5938]

That is because the area still is has unexploded ordnance and such...

[@patriotalways4811]

I noticed the same when I went there in ‘81.

[@riddick7082]

I experienced exactly the same thing when I visited the Douaumont Ossuary many years ago.

[@christophe77700]

Your video allows us to understand the state of mind of the French people and their army that the Anglo-Saxons like to portray as cowards, during the battle of 1940. During the 20 years which separated the two wars, the French lived in the memory of 14/18. Each town, each village has its war memorial with the names of young men killed during the war and its military square in the municipal cemetery. The Verdun memorial, the commemorations of November 11, the veterans' associations, all this made it ring in the ears of the French that they no longer wanted such a massacre and that they were tired of counting and pronouncing the name of the 1,4 millions men “morts pour la France”

[@Waxer72ndVFW]

The more pointed, and poignant, reason for the creation of the ossuary by the French was so that family members of those killed in action whose body was never returned to them could visit the ossuary and know that they were visiting the tomb of their loved one. It gave them a specific place to commune and to grieve. My grandfather's brother Thomas Murphy died for France on October 8, 1918. His body was found, and he is buried in a small British cemetery near St. Quentin. On the tombstone it reads "A loving son, a soldier brave. A mother's heart lies in his grave."

[@graemer3657]

The other aspect is that if you found bones in some locations it was impossible to know if they were French or German, so you need a “neutral” resting place.

[@MbSaidSo]

This one was a gut punch at the end. As somber and overwhelming as the cemetaries are, seeing the bones laid bare and jumbled together is jarring on a different level. Your compassion and respect for these men and these places is palpable. Thanks for taking us along.

[@alanholck7995]

There is a story of an old Poilu who lost an arm at Verdun who would periodically visit the ossuary, figuring his arm was in there somewhere.

[@MbSaidSo]

I can believe that.

[@cw4608]

Especially when you consider the bulk of them belonged to young men who hadn’t really had the opportunity to live as an adult.

[@MarkMeader-e4r]

I visited Verdun in 1981 and Found It Moving Fascinating, La Voie Sacre, Le Tranchee de la Bayonets, Firts Vaux and Douamont, and Of Course Le Ossuary!!!! For many years I had a Company of Biffins who portrayed Poilus of the 151sr RI in Living History, even in a Hollywood Film!!!! It is still going strong today!!!! On Les Aura!!! On Ne Passé Pas!!!! Vive le France!!!!🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@hansbuls6109]

You should visit the Somme JD. More than three million men fought in the battle, of whom one million were either wounded or killed, making it one of the deadliest battles in all of human history

[@merlijnveijk855]

Sometimes I go over to the ossuary in the middle of the night, the silence then is deafening then. And I try to imagine the hell the men who where there went true. It’s a humble experience.

[@tomhanna2714]

I don’t know what compelled you to visit the ossuary at night. I’ve never been to continental Europe before, only the UK. This much I will say: Having spent many a pitch-black night on the Chickamauga National Battlefield thinking of what it must have been like for those Union and Confederate soldiers (with some 125,000 men engaged Chickamauga was the second largest battle of the entire war after Gettysburg and also had the second highest number of casualties too, also after Gettysburg.) The battlefield was littered with the dead for months afterwards before they were finally picked up and buried. Interestingly Chickamauga and Le Mort Homme both share a similar, but grim name. Chickamauga (Creek) is an old Cherokee Indian name that loosely translates to “river of death” and was avoided by them as it was associated with smallpox long before the war. Le Mort Homme, of course has been so named since long before World War 1 as well. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by the grim horrors of war, but we also have to force ourselves to remember just why we fight sometimes, too. Because it is better to die free than to live a slave, always.

[@merlijnveijk855]

@@tomhanna2714 It’s a humble feeling. Can’t say why it’s a experience you have to do

[@cyndiebill6631]

This one brought tears to my eyes. The lives that were taken in the name of peace only to have it started all over again 20 years later is so sad. Thank you for this. I think the cost of what really happens in War needs to be shown. ♥️😢

[@perryj8850]

To think this is only 1/10th of the total losses is incredible.

[@jmchinch]

…of one battle

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Crazy.

[@Eloso3135]

Like many who have commented, I visited Verdun in the late 80’s while serving as an Army officer in what was then West Germany. Your comment that it is a ‘heavy place’ is a masterpiece of understatement. The Ossuary left an impression that is with me to this day. Great video, thank you for making it.

[@corychecketts]

The Ossuary is easily the grimmest memorial I’ve ever seen. Seeing those bones was a powerful reminder of just how fleeting life really is, and the horrible cost of war. Thanks for sharing.

[@MrBradleyDavid]

JD, thanks! It will forever be on my mind what happened to the dead. I paid a visit to the US Army Mortuary Affairs 3 decades ago when I was escorting a recently deceased US Soldier from our unit. Many are lost to the fields where they fell. I grew up a short drive from where General Mad Anthony Wayne defeated the Indians in 1794 at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. There is no cemetery to visit for as significant that battle was. In Europe, there are perhaps 100s of thousands missing, still lying where they perished between World War I and II. Many are found today by relic hunters armed with metal detectors. Those videos are all over KZbin.

[@chrisl211]

True. As a French, I recently heard a French historian saying that from Belgium down to Eastern France, there are over 300,000 missing soldiers who lie underground where they died.

[@TheRagratus]

Morning JD. I have a guess as to why there are 2 soliders in one grave. Foxholes/Artillery. You have 2 people manning a position, it gets hit by an artillery round. You knew who was in the position, but now they are gone and it is impossible to determine which soldier is who. They trained, lived, fought, and died together, now they will go to "fiddler's green" together.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Good morning.

[@sharonthomas5357]

Wow! Great video as always JD. Thank you

[@philfrancois]

Correct. They were blown to spots. Vaporized together.

[@TribeTaz]

This entire series needs to seen in schools. Amazing work

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@exeterjay]

Thank you for sharing this experience. My great grandfather was awarded the DSC for his actions in Argonne, Oct, 1918. I spent a few days on the Western Front in the Fall of 2022, and this was one of our stops. The entire area lends a deeply sorrowful feeling, but it’s magnified at the ossuary. The lack of visitors to the area usually means you’re either alone or with just a handful of other people. When we visited the American cemetery in Argonne, there were a total of three people, which included my wife and I.

[@markb.7642]

WOW, if the rows and rows of markers doesn't bring home the cost of war, the Ossuary certainly does, once again you have captured a piece of history and brought it to us in your own unique way, thank you for doing what you do.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@robynw6307]

What a stunningly beautiful, but so sad, place. The loss of life is incomprehesible. Thank you for taking us there.

[@bethann0808]

JD, your treatment of war cemeteries is unparalleled. This one affected me more than the many that you have done in the past. The sheer scale of the dead and I'm sure it was the peak of those bones that made me gasp (so many! 😢). Your reverence and empathy come through. ❤❤❤

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Many thanks.

[@SMTraz]

Powerful beyond words. I have learned so much from this series.

[@maisonreybaud2797]

In the 90s ,i visited Douaumont and Verdun with my son ( he was 16 yo ) and my father . The interesting point is that my father visited these places after WW1 in the 30s with his own father who fighted in the area . My father remembered that the landscape was totally destroyed with the bombing and as you said it was a treeless moonscape . He was impressed at his age . When he came back 60 years later . The nature has taken its place back and the forests were growing .It was a surprise for him . I read somewhere that all french regiments had to go to Verdun . My grandfather mother side was here too and he lost his leg . Verdun is something special in the French memories . I agree with you by seing the last images of your film .......the true cost of the film . We have to think about this . Thanks for all your videos ;always very instructive and formative .

[@Hobbitma]

Once again a deeply moving and overwhelming video. How I wish everyone could learn the devastation from war. Thank you JD

[@jakesanchez7235]

These videos you make of cemeteries for the fallen for the wars have me speechless each time, they’re all so beautifully built by their respectful governments. I can’t wait for the day I get to pay my respect in person one day. Thank you for making these videos for us.

[@aiglonducal314]

Do you mean to say _respective_ governments? Because I don't think there was ever much respect from the governments towards the soldiers. Only mock respect later on for propagandistic and jingoistic reasons.

[@jean-philippeplanas9682]

Most interesting and emotional. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@alanholck7995]

Being that you are in the neighborhood I hope you cover Meuse Argonne. My great uncle was KIA 4 Oct 1918 & is in American Cemetery. I visited in 2017 - had been number 1 on bucket list forever. Stunningly beautiful cemetery.

[@gaylewright8270]

Was there in Nov 2023 with a WW1 tour. You showed more than we had time to see. It was amazing and frightening to see how many young men died in WW1. Thanks, JD!

[@christinebridges5700]

50 years since my visit, and the memory still haunts me.

[@Peace2U-ec6es]

It's good we have these beautiful, and stunning reminders of all who died in WWI. The remains of the 130,000 on display in the ossuary was shocking and the scarred battlefields shown in this series should grab hold of everyone as a reminder that even mother nature cannot reclaim the natural beauty of the land- even after 110 years. It's even better that we can see the beautiful cemeteries and remnants of the horrific concentration camps and sunken Warships that sank in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in WWII. All in testimony to the 40+ million soldiers who died in that war. I wonder though, who will be around to construct and maintain the cemeteries and remnants of the battles of the next World War, and will there even be anyone left to do so? Thanks for the powerful and poignant reminders JD! Your work and your passion is admired and greatly appreciated!

[@merryrose6788]

Let's not have any more wars. The entire Earth must be a paradise, not a cemetery.

[@rogerjohnson8707]

Been there twice. Looking into the small windows near ground level at all those bones is very strange. They put more bones in every year many dug up from the farm fields. Edit: the sword 'stuck in the ground' is the center piece of the British cemetery's.

[@OldFrontLine]

Another great film, the scale of it is hard to get at times. I keep saying this but these films are among your very best.

[@bobhanson6586]

Ive been all through the Verdun area and was waiting for this episode. As you try to tell others about the amount of carnage, the sheer numbers (shells, casualties etc) people simply do not believe you. They think you are making it up. When I get back over there, I intend to explore more deeply the American involvement in WW1. Just west of Verdun, is Mont Facon, where US troops started there final push and took there most casualties. Young Patton actually had his first tank battle there, and just north of that the Sgt York site is being developed. All worth going to.

[@harryfaber]

You might want to look at American agricultural machinery, with so many men away to the war, French farmers started importing US made farm equipment long before the first doughboy made it across the pond.

[@wildshadowstar]

Thank you for showcasing the cemeteries, and the graves of the unknown. Some are unable to visit where their family members are buried, or the family lines have died out, or like you showed, too many are unknown and tend to get forgotten.

[@AN-nt3uv]

When i visited Douaumont in about 1987 as a kid, the limestone of the memorial was still like white everywhere. Here is also the place the that time French president Mitterand and West German chancellor Kohl deepened the French-German friendship after the centuries of wars between both sides.

[@ericmeshenberg3332]

My grandfather fought at the Meuse Argonne. He was shell shocked till the day he died. He was proud to be an American.

[@Pcash246]

That view from the tower is shockingly breathtaking. A feeling like no other. Honestly JD, this is the best history channel on KZbin. These videos really are something special and show the true cost of war. Humans really are the most brutal beings on this planet.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I really do appreciate that. Thank you.

[@davidolien2828]

You did a wonderful job here of very movingly honoring those lost in this terrible war.

[@JohnMiller-ee3fs]

I visited Verdun in the 1970s. Never forgot my visit to this cemetery especially the ossuary.

[@terryeustice5399]

This is a solemn reminder. Of the cost of war. Thanks for sharing. 💯👊

[@charliemansonUK]

06:30 and 07:50 when bodies where buried together on the battlefied and marked or known of it was sometimes not possible to determine who was who due to damage or decomposition so knowing who was there they would rebury the remains together. This way the family and comrades knew where their loved ones lay. The other option is unidentified graves or mass burial.

[@kidmohair8151]

you are obviously moved by what you have learned in visiting Verdun. it was good of you to go on this voyage for we people, who may never get to experience the full impact of this truly awesome, in the original sense of that word, place.

[@kidmohair8151]

I may have asked this before...what made you choose Verdun?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@kidmohair8151 - To me, it’s one of the pillars of WWI. I’ve wanted to walk that battlefield for years. Definitely walked away with a greater appreciation for the French army.

[@edwardberthelette2700]

Very powerful. Thank you for taking the time and finding history. You do a great job, and allow me to be a part of..... so much...no words....

[@lightningracing19]

JD, can’t remember where I read this, but the reason sometimes two or three soldiers were laid together was often because of artillery shells falling on multiple men. Their comrades probably remembered who was standing there but if there wasn’t much left of them, they collected what they could and placed them together under one headstone. it was considered better to lay them to rest together rather than marking them as unknown. Given the amount of artillery in WW1, you can imagine how often this situation would occur.

[@elchapito4580]

Maybe you've read that in this comments section? 🤔

[@dougcostello9064]

No individual stories are needed. Your video speaks volumes.

[@stephenrrose]

Very Humbling Video JD. The Bells at the beginning and end of your video was very touching, and gets to me just as much as TAPS! The Bones seen through the dark windows are like an explanation point on the effects of war! and to your information. Very well done sir, very well done!

[@robertmiller1556]

The window under the ossuary! Incredibly jaw dropping!

[@joeritchie4554]

So sobering and sad. Thank you for filming this and presenting it to us. It shows how horrific war really is.

[@johnhalstead5938]

When I was a West Point Cadet ages ago, my Father and I visited the Douaumont Ossuary. It was close to his Brigade Command across the border in Germany and an easy day trip. We could have spent weeks there. This place left a profound impact on me that lasts to this day. As a retired Armor Officer this place left me with one of many important "commandments" and that was maneuver and striking centers of gravity save lives when we have to do these things. I know that combat and war as a means of national power are more complex. But, when you have to do this, maneuver and precision fires are critical to success and preserving blood and treasure.

[@timvanacker5129]

JD, again a wonderful episode. Gave me goosebumps. You always explain everything so well.

[@historyinyourhand1787]

Fascinating video of a truely sad place that you've tastefully presented. Thank you JD

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Much appreciated.

[@chuckmcfarland2658]

JD, this episode was totally amazing - fantastic job as always

[@pablopeter3564]

My grandfather fought in the WW I, in the Austria-Hungary army, and he suffered from shell shock until he died.

[@skimmer8774]

When I visit family at Ft. Snelling military cemetery the amout of markers always moves me. So many. Thanks for a really great video.

[@jacquelinebloom4339]

I can’t add any more to the comments as they are well said. Thank you to you JD and to those sharing their comments of loved ones and visits to these hallowed grounds.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@mikeivey8471]

Sir , your series on the Verdon portion if WWI is an exceptional , educational Masterpiece !!! I have loved every single episode and find myself impatiently waiting for the next one !!! I really just want to say thank you for shedding light on the completely under reported on World War that we really need to understand and remember!!! WWII gets all of the coverage (maybe understandably so) but WWI is just as (if not more so) important because it's ending truly was one of the main reasons for WWII !!! Great job !!!

[@johngray9669]

I live near a Historic National Cemetery. There is a field surrounded by head stones marked "UNKNOWN US SOLDIER". There are estimates of up to 10,000 soldiers burried in trenches, including 1 Medal Of Honor recipient.

[@boatnut64]

I was at the Cemetary of Notre Dame De Lorette (near Vimy)... Again, such a huge Cemetary (40,000 ish???) It's Truly Overwhelming, when you try to wrap your head around the Massive Loss of Life... RIP 💔💔💔

[@terryrogers1025]

Thank you so much, appreciate the tour, the true cost of war.

[@johnellis6959]

Wow, what a powerful image that was. Thank you.

[@paulyparker8217]

Howdy and thank you J.D. just sitting here silently. The brutal truth and reality of warfare. Excellent job as always.

[@mgunny05]

JD,……YOU are a PROFESSIONAL, you did a OUTSTANDING in this series on Verdun and this video just lays out the cost of war. I’ll raise a few 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺in your honor!

[@Karen-224]

Such a moving video, it really does bring into focus the meaning of “Lest We Forget” 😢

[@amybannister4021]

Wow! What a beautiful place. The layout is great. Where i live there are exploded ordinance as well. Thanks for sharing ❤. May the fallen rest in peace 🙏

[@alanholck7995]

The multiple names are indeed commingled. Mostly skeletonized bodies would sometimes be washed by rains into low areas. They had ID tags, but were in a jumble. So they are buried together.

[@huibertlandzaat1889]

Thank you for uploading

[@pablopeter3564]

EXCELLENT VIDEO. Thanks. You paid tribute to those who fought and died in Verdun. Greeting from Mexico City

[@ncwoodworker]

That aerial shot was amazing. Puts things in perspective. Just ridiculous how many lives and families were destroyed.

[@scottgellerman8554]

To me, looking into the crypts under the Ossuary was truly life changing... the scale of it, and the number of men entombed within would be unimaginable has I not seen it in person... a tragic loss of life at a grand scale. Had those men continued to live and prosper, what kind of world might we be living in today?

[@rjgonzalez6322]

Visited few years ago,very interesting and moving Rafael from Gibraltar 🇬🇮 ❤❤

[@dfusit]

Great job on this entire series JD, I learned so much about the Battle of Verdun. Of course my favorite part was the museum showing the unexploded ordnance. 😎Those views from the tower of the ossuary were amazing but looking into the windows at the end were so humbling. Thank you very much for this series JD.

[@deniahmadhendra8842]

Thank you for sharing this tour,,,,

[@aldo4908]

Thank you for sharing this with us. Wondeful episode.

[@janssengm]

I toured that area a few years back and I always tell people about the ossuary. I was stunned at the sheer number of dead. Your brain has a hard time wrapping itself around that scene.

[@lthom5158]

Sobering. Excellent video!

[@MichielDeRuyterr]

Man the sight of that many graves is just haunting

[@thibaudduhamel2581]

7:51 this reminds me of a story i read about. A few years back, a visitor at one of the villages that were destroyed discovered human remains under a tree that had fallen after a storm. Eventually, it was discovered that these were the remains of men who were in a french aid station in the basement of a house. The house took a hit and they died there. I don't think all of the bodies were identified, but i'm confident they would have been reburied together. A local artist sculpted the torso of a french soldier out of the tree that grew where they layed.

[@raybiondo6364]

Your videos are very informative. What a horrible war.

[@paulmoore120]

Great presentation.Will look to revisit Verdun next year.Thanks.

[@JohnLaRue-zp2uj]

What an incredible piece of history you sharded. Thank you!

[@walhalladome5227]

Last year I drove up with my then 79 year mom from the Netherlands. First time she saw this, she was so moved. Verdun should be on general education!

[@philfrancois]

I'm born in Verdun. As a youth I played in all the forts. Brought my Canadian girlfriend to this site at sunrise in a dense fog. We followed the raised boardwalks through the forests occasionally reading plaques describing how entire villages where they were erected had been wiped off the planet without survivors...Stepping off the boardwalk and surviving was highly doubtful. I guided her downstairs to the museum below ground level. The morning sun during the hour we were down there dissipated the fog. I took her hand firmly to climb the steps up to ground level. Upon seeing all the crosses..,she fainted. She had no words and could not speak.All she could do was cry..I remember well my words to her.. " This is the cost of freedom. " Few words-if any were shared on our walk back.

[@devron5ssn]

The ossuary tower was designed to represent an artillery shell, I have visited the memorial and it was the most emotional gut wrenching sight I have ever seen.

[@GrayWolf-745]

You would think that after thousands of years we would have figured out how to live together in peace, God bless all the men and woman who have died attempting to bring us a lasting peace. Maybe someday.

[@sethrichardson1510]

All I want to say is I really like your channel.

[@pauldouglas3084]

Really enjoyed the video mate can't wait for the next one

[@moobaz8675]

The bones of the fallen really brings the cost of the battle home to people. Its raw reality is jarring and very thought provoking.

[@alansalazar9543]

As always, your videos are thoughtful, informative and often moving. Thank you again for sharing a place I may never see but have heard so much about.

[@MotDoiAnLac258]

Great subject matter.

[@carlsanders4680]

No words. Just sadness.

[@127TROOP]

A deeply moving video, handled exceptionally well….next year (2025) my wife and I are going on a battlefield tour, Verdun being part of that tour. These videos are invaluable for reference and although a forewarning if you will, of what to expect, from your moments of shock and unease, I have no doubt it will hit hard….thank you for doing such an outstanding job….Lest We Forget……

[@ArcAudios77]

Well put together Sir, respect & best wishes for you & your Channel sent from Western Scotland.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@Vox-Populi]

Each one of these men had lives. Parents, friends. They had personalities, senses of humor, memories, skills, thoughts. All lost.

[@Hipp0campus_1]

Thanks for peeking into the window at the end. I have been there and totally missed it! Bummer, now I have a reason to go back there.

[@johngaither9263]

I know what an ossuary is and was puzzled by his tour of the structure and the officially provided photos. It did not appear to be an ossuary to me. That is until he approached the rear of the building and revealed the contents of the ground level thru the small windows. Only then was the gruesome truth was revealed.

[@Hipp0campus_1]

@@johngaither9263 In the section JD wasn't allowed to show is a huge hallway with several structures Looking like Sarcophagi. I imagined these are filled.

[@awallner1]

You should read Wilfred Owens’ poetry on his experiences in WWI. He died the day before the war ended. Probably the best poet on war time. An incredible writer and incredible loss.

[@jonmulack4226]

As one who has watched these from the start, this episode really hit me. Verdun. To look at the cemetery, understanding that the crosses are a such predominate feature and only 10% of the deceased. This any so many other battles went on for 4 years... Please pause viewing at 17:25 of this video. Look closely at the entire picture for awhile. Think of the hall as a barrel. On the left, are a row of candles for a sight line. Next is a ring of light that leads to a dark frame that depicts a window that seems to have a face like figure in it. Is there an unknown soldier in the window? The names or writings on the arches. My screen is too small for me to decipher. Thank for so much information. Wars and battles in our history need to be understood so the likelihood of it happing again lessens as we age.

[@nanetterolph2972]

A very stark reminder of the cost of war!!!! Lost generations of people!!!!!

[@shawnastephens1536]

What a amazing place. I've never seen such a place. I love your videos on Both wars. Thank you from Mississippi.

[@duanelawrence78]

Thanks J.D. God bless you brother!!✌️🇺🇲

[@yanzhao7298]

The best of the best! How can you top it?!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@nev707]

Enjoy your tour of the war sites of Europe. Very sobering. My great uncle fought with the Australians there and survived.