Verdun & the Judgment of Fort Douaumont | History Traveler Episode 304

Of the forts that surrounded the city of Verdun in 1916, it was the northernmost fort of Douaumont that loomed the largest and also the one that would bear the brunt of the German assault in February of 1916. We're taking a bit of time to walk this shell scared ground and tell a few of the stories that are connected with this historic place.
NOTE: at the 7:55 mark, I inadvertently say that forts fell out of favor with the German high command when I meant to say French. Apologies for the error.
Map animation by @SandervkHistory
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.gettysburg...
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[@Peace2U-ec6es]

Unbelievable carnage still visible 110 years after the conflict. Nature will need centuries to reclaim this sacred ground, but faint echoes of the screams and the gunfire will never be silent. Thank you JD!

[@matthewmoneypit1558]

The before and after was mind-blowing. And honestly little terrifying.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Can’t even imagine being on the receiving end of that.

[@thurin84]

you can see what it did to concrete and stone, now imagine what it did to flesh and bone.

[@dawnlefevre9172]

Ok...I have to say...I was heartbroken for the loss of your equipment and your sadness after the Greece incident but you have come back stronger and better (which I didn't think was possible) than ever with your content, videos, etc!! Well done sir!!!👏👏

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That means a lot. Thank you.

[@glenwitteman2585]

Great coverage and well thought comments. I was at the fort in 1961. I was junior high age and my step-dad was stationed in Karlsruhe, West Germany. Yes, we were in Karlsruhe when the Wall went up. At that time. we took a week and covered the forts of Verdun as best as we could. At that time, in almost every direction from the fort, the land was restricted due to unexploded ordnance. The trees were very short and you could see trenches and barbed wire going into the distance. I hope you will cover the Ossuary. Very sobering.

[@alexd2927]

Man I love this series Verdun is seriously an incromprehensible place to be at Like you know what happened there but when you stand at these spots you just can't really imagine what it must've been like during those horrifying hours of battle What an incredibly brave generation of men May they all rest in peace knowing that they are not forgotten about even after all this time

[@ianhall6614]

You can really understand why people back in the day called WW1 the war to end all wars. Seeing pictures of all the stockpiled ammunition and the hours long pre-attack bombardments with absolutely ludicrous weapons…it just boggles the mind that anybody was able to endure 5 minutes of it, let alone surviving the entire war. Thank you JD

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Insanity.

[@skimmer8774]

I never get tired of seeing this area. First time was in high school. 4 decades ago. Each time I imagine what horrible moments the men went through. Shell shocked men were many. War sucks. Thanks for showing and really great job.

[@1psychofan]

Oh just can’t stop saying wow! About those shell holes! Incredible! Even after all these years!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wild

[@1psychofan]

@@TheHistoryUnderground it really is! Not she’ll holes-but HELL holes! I can’t imagine what those men went through-wow

[@arjanberendsen2988]

And again a masterpiece. JD you are absolutely the one to watch on the tube. Thank you so much for taking us back in history ✌🏽

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow, thank you!

[@1psychofan]

What an incredible episode! Those drone shots really show it don’t they? Wow JD! Thank you for taking us there!!!!

[@samuelallott2604]

The before and after pictures at right about the 11 minute mark is crazy! Imagine being in that fort as all the shelling was happening... terrifying doesn't even cover it. Thank you for the amazing and informative video, as always!

[@mikerologameplay8281]

I can tell I am going to love this Verdun series!! Thanks JD!!

[@terryroths4254]

Seeing the grounds, fort, damage done. I choked up and teared up alittle. I felt terror. Strength of those who fought the battles of WW1 amazed me. Great adventure you took me on today.!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Can't even imagine what it must have been like to be under one of those artillery barrages.

[@terryroths4254]

My grandfather came home from France with a bad heart and lungs from mustard gas. Traveling from New York to Wisconsin on $6 mustering out pay. His death in 1966 was ...painful..

[@captaincaptain3301]

Been following JD since the start of UK lockdown in March 2020. His style is open and welcoming, very informative and the filming first class!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@manuelt1419]

I’m so glad someone is doing more videos of Verdun and walking around there. I traveled for a day back in 2018 and it was absolutely stunning and magical from the town itself to where all the fighting happened. It’s truly a gem of France that should be on any travelers list even if you don’t like history or The Great War.

[@cyndiebill6631]

I love seeing how all the wildlife has taken over. I love these old forts and the history the give us. If only walls could talk, imagine the stories they could tell us. Great video as always ♥️👍

[@michaelmclaren7373]

Fort de Vaux, which fell shortly after, (and Raynal’s defense against overwhelming German assault) is also a very compelling story.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

You’ll probably enjoy the next episode. 🙂

[@Chiller11]

Ah the Living Dead. Someone should do a miniseries.

[@eddiegv45]

Oh man loving this series on Verdun so far! cant wait for more!

[@tnarggrant9711]

9:55 Look upon this terrain. Give it a few moments. Look at how gnarly, old, and hostile it all still appears... An infinite scape of long rolling hills with a horizon that seems to reach out to the sky itself. Though covered with trees... You can still get a sense of craters and irregularities from the war torn ground below... Bleak and hopeless.

[@nanetterolph2972]

I found this fascinating!!!! My grandfather was a ww1 vet!!! Of course he never discussed any of that with us!!! He was great and brave man!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@robertmorris7332]

Really interesting. Video really gives you a better sense of the battle and what it might have been like. My ear plugs didnt work well around a 155 in the Army - will never forget that. That was outside. Cant imagine the noise of a 155mm in a closed space.

[@bigbrockbear4963]

My Great-Great Granddad fought in WW1. He was injured in 1914 & taken prisoner. When he was transferred back to England his wife left him & people in the street gave him no end of grief because they assumed he was avoiding his duty, it was before they gave out the Silver War Badge. He killed himself because he couldn't take it any more. He was mentioned in House of Commons & now has a street named after him.

[@jeffsmith2022]

A very sad ,family, story indeed...

[@rickkawtoski9344]

That's a damn shame! So sorry to hear this. He got justice in the end,his name will live on forever now. God bless him and your family for any grief they faced.🙏

[@Nochancet.v]

What a sad state of affairs

[@HerculesMMV7158]

Thank you so much for your respectful presentation of Verdun battle ground. If you still there have a look to "Butte de Vauquois" and "Buttes des Eparges". These battle grounds were not part of battle of Verdun however it less than 40 min from there and these battle grounds are still impressive today.

[@Hipp0campus_1]

The footage was shot in july. But I'm sure JD will visit France again in the future.

[@LaCorvette]

When I visited Fort Douaumont, there was one metal plate in one of the walkways, which our tour guide lifted and then dropped in order to simulate what being shelled would sound like. Honestly, seeing all these sights changes the way you view history and the world.

[@luskimo1]

already hooked!enjoying this series even after only 2 episodes..like to see what else you have planned for WWI and maybe something about the fighting in Italy during WWII

[@stephenrrose]

Great video JD! I can't say enough about the education you are also giving this 63 year old Medic! Love the video, the editing, the music, and of course the History that goes with it! Well Done Brother, well done!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! That means a lot.

[@mrDCunningham]

This is great 👍🏼😎

[@salliannebrown8129]

Great videos about Verdun. I've really enjoyed them and learning a lot. Thank you. I must say I'm surprised that these places are not better cared for or more visited. Maybe it's just when you visited. Such a pivotable point in history for so many reasons.

[@billyshane3804]

Brilliance presentation. Your ability to deliver factual stories is mesmerising, especially this one. Thanks for everything you post. Love your work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow, thank you!

[@greggriffin1]

Always the best history coming from your vids, we thank you for bringing it to everyone.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@williambuttermark5250]

Spot on. I just saw your Fleury episode. Like you, my son (USAF) and I have been to many battlefields. Both of us were just so effected by Verdun we still talk about it after 5 months. Nothing so far has compared to any we have visited. Next spring we are going back and visiting the Meuse Argonne and St Michel AEF battlefields. WW1 is becoming forgotten and so tragic. There are self guided audio tours available with admission in English, French and German.

[@pauldouglas3084]

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

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 👍

[@dfusit]

Outstanding video JD, anxiously awaiting the next installment in this series.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@inlandsailor2541]

I'm really enjoying this series, JD! Thank you for these videos!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@NOTBOBROBERTS]

I visited here in October 2010 and will be back here in 2 weeks time with a group of 7 friends. Looks like the Fort is still fully accessible. I really enjoy your videos, your cadence and tone of voice are very easy to follow. I've actually used your videos for my friends to get an understanding of the places we will visit.

[@paulyparker8217]

Howdy and Fantastic Brother! So much to tell about WWI and this fort was a HUGE part of it. That must have been a great visit. Cheers Amigo! Well done.

[@thomasm.8859]

This is so impressive. I find your videos very interesting and benefitial on keeping history in our minds. I‘ve travelled to Verdun a few times from Stuttgart/Germany. I‘d truly also love to see footage of the Argonne forest, e.g. the last battalion, Private York.

[@dankorolyk5917]

Great episode JD,very informative

[@davidwaddell9772]

Amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

Another great video JD, this battle and it’s surrounding area is very interesting. I study it, and all material out there like yours helpful and interesting. Thank you

[@OldFrontLine]

This is really superb content, JD. Enjoying these very much indeed.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you. That means a great deal coming from you.

[@MrEaglesfan40]

Wow what a place and the history of it is awe inspiring, Great work JD loved the video Thank you

[@charlesthompson6160]

Been there and walked all those paths, yet you managed to provide a perspective on the fort itself as well as the battle. The drone shots are great!

[@docsmallblock6584]

Absolutely love this channel! Wish i was more into history when I was in school like i am now. Very much appreciate the work this guy does and how he explains everything, very very cool!!

[@Ronaldl2350]

The aerial before and after pictures are just shocking!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Very

[@marykrueger6039]

Another fascinating video. Thank you JD.

[@paulvalladares3804]

Such an amazing channel. I love how you tell the stories. Bless you man. Greetings from Ecuador 🇪🇨

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them! Thank you.

[@Mist3rData]

That was an awesome piece of history! I hope you will go to Paeschendale as well. My greatgrandfather fought and was killed there,

[@PiousJeems]

Amazing. Hope you have time to do an episode on the breaking of then Hindenburg Line. My grandfather was severely wounded serving with the 30th Infantry Division 117th Infantry Regiment Co M. If I remember correctly there were several soldiers that earned the Medal of Honor for their actions.

[@stevedavie4480]

Great Video, two great guys that really love and know their Rugby. I still miss talking to my Dad after each game.

[@paulmccusker4305]

Hope to visit Verdun next so I'll check this fort out, thanks for the insight 👍

[@91Redmist]

Very well done Video. Can't believe such a fortification was taken with the only casualty being a scraped knee. And the noise from all the artilllery pounding drove some men mad. The reverberations were constant and there was no escape from the din.

[@gaylewright8270]

Wonderful run down of Fort Douaumont, JD. It's an incredible place to visit

[@jasonappleton5045]

Wow! Those Arial videos really give some perspective of the shelling. I could not imagine what the French soldiers were thinking. Thanks for sharing!

[@camdodge9891]

JD Brilliant work & fantastic video thank you

[@robbrookes4686]

I love your work. I was devastated when your gear and footage was stolen a while back. You are a gentleman. Really hope to say gday to you some day. I love your commentary and camera work.❤️🇦🇺

[@johnpotter8039]

I visited the Verdun battlefield in the summer of 2022. The grass cover over Fort Douaumont had dried out, and it exposed the shell craters even more than we saw in this video. The violence was staggering. I also visited Fort Loncin, Fort Lantin and the 4 Maastricht forts. The dry moats and the counterscarp batteries of the intact forts (well, Loncin is partly a huge crater from the Big Bertha shell magazine explosion in 1914) would have been terrifying to those Pomeranian Grenadiers who knew that they had to cross the field of fire, make it through a spiked iron fence, down a vertical 15' slope to a mess of barbed wire, looking at a similar-height wall in front of you as the counterscarp batteries fired canister shell at you.

[@lagayames9034]

IMO your best series yet

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@larryburwell8550]

fantastic stuff ive never even seen. great history lesson for all those that care like myself. thanks you JD

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 👍

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

"The closer we are to danger, the further we are away from harm." J.R.R Tolkien.

[@LozenColorado]

When I went to Verdun in France, I swear to God I must have been there in a past life because I knew it like the back of my hand, down to where the guns used to be, and I had this eerie feeling that I had been there before and it had been stressful and traumatic. I had the same feeling in a town close to Pompeii that was also destroyed in the volcano blast. I just knew there was a temple there that I had some connection to and low and behold we found it, even though it wasn't marked and wasn't well known. That shit felt like I was going crazy.

[@krisH-ph5of]

Have you played ww1 video games lol

[@LozenColorado]

@@krisH-ph5of no, I never have. And I went there in '93. Not a lot of realistic video games back then.

[@krisH-ph5of]

@@LozenColorado Fair enough, I had alot of similar feelings recently when i went to Normandy, I just put it down to the fact i'd played in some of the same areas when i was younger in video games. Could be something more to it though.

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

I am a firm believer in your thoughts, General Patton also felt the same way. I have a special bond with The Gettysburg battlefield and other past places, like I had been there when I knew in this life I never was.

[@surfinbird71]

I hope you do a Part 2 on this fort. I was hoping you'd show that deep, hugeass hole that's somewhere in there, not sure what it was for. And also there's the room where all the Germans got blown up and the whole room was sealed shut. So cool to see the bird's nest still there : )

[@jeanineking7311]

Fantastic! Thanks for posting

[@rayparker7496]

Awesome video loving the series already

[@BruceJamesPhotography]

Loving all your work in the Verdun area. Thank you.

[@adventureswithfriends]

That drone footage was incredible!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@993ti]

6:50 Look at the battle damage on that. It even got hit right on top of it.

[@corychecketts]

“Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.’1 Chancellor Otto von Bismarck” Peter Hart, The Great War: 1914-1918

[@themetalgodsmeltdown]

This channel is amazing..Thank u so much for all the time and effort you put in!

[@markb.7642]

JD, once again you have provided us with a fantastic video, in our age it is hard to believe the amount of destruction caused by the German artillery. I have to ask though, you said there was a steel top to the fort that was "13 yards thick" really 39 feet of steel?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I think that I said "steel reinforced concrete roof". I'll have to go back and check though.

[@markb.7642]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Yes you are right, you did say a steel reinforced concrete roof, my mistake, but still 13 yards thick? WOW

[@mgway4661]

Of all the battles in all of the wars this is the most terrifying one to me

[@searchingforaway8494]

That was awesome!!! Great job....

[@chiefslief1886]

Wow just wow again! I gotta look this episode again and again. Thanks for all of your input! ❤greetings from the Netherlands ❤🇱🇺👍🏻✌🏻

[@davidolien2828]

Thank you for focus on WW 1. Americans have forgotten about it and few visit its battlefields.when I visited sites I was usually the only American around.

[@jerry7786]

Thanks JD for another great video

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

No problem 👍

[@Chiller11]

If I was a 45 yr old French reservist manning Ft. Douaumont who had seen most of the guns and defenders relocated from my defensive position I would say France should not expect an heroic defense from me personally. I would likely have surrendered as well.

[@geraldblackburn4883]

Good Show, wait for the next ! Yes, the before and after is mind numbing, if you had to defend that place, your body and mind would not be the same after, shell shocked !

[@rtk3543]

Excellent work JD and team 👍

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 👍

[@niksnutbv764]

Thanks for making history part of the present JD!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

You bet!

[@CHCLA6779]

Very much enjoyed this. A terrible, terrible moment in Western history. And so important to remember. Thank you.

[@duanelawrence78]

Thanks J.D. so amazing!!✌️🇺🇲

[@aaronlee2371]

You make awesome content. Thank you!

[@MawieStevens]

🎉excellent presentation.

[@thedude1316]

This series has peaked my interest in WW1. I have always been interested in WW1 but this series has pushed it over the edge. I plan to read some books on WW1. *Any WW1 book recommendations*

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

“The Price of Glory” for Verdun.

[@michaeldouglas1243]

Outstanding episode and footage is top notch. Loving the ww1 content. Really complimenting the new episodes of ww1tv.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@kaibruning7401]

When I was in that area about 16 years ago, I made a stop between Verdun and the Fort. I was walking around in the forest - and it took me a while to find out that this wasn‘t a normal path but the rest of a trench… Later that day I missed the way to the Fort and suddenly found myself on the top of an area which nowadays is used for shooting-practise for french tanks - directly next to the Fort. You can see the light green stripe in two sequences of this film up left. This is so strange….

[@jacquelinebloom4339]

I am learning so much. Well told!

[@kimberlykrupke5715]

I was going through my Dad's photos from his time in the 82nd Airborne WW2. His unit was in Rennes France and also has photos of US bombs flying over Normandy.

[@jamesHadden-l6l]

Due to age My dad went into the 325th glider Infantry in May 1946 Then the 325th did Parachutes and Gliders

[@kimberlykrupke5715]

@@jamesHadden-l6l My Dad was 82nd Airborne Infantry division.

[@alfredwaldo6079]

Despite the horrors of the past that are visible on the fort there is something oddly beautiful about flowers and other flora growing on the ruins. Never forget.

[@wildcolonialman]

Brilliant effort.

[@terrylanger2564]

Great video. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you liked it!

[@gsbeak]

Did you notice the flags on the fort : French, European AND German. Our two peoples are now friends in the European Union.

[@gsbeak]

@aiglonducal314, Let's agree to disagree...

[@davidking6172]

Brilliant JD 👍 as always 👏

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@wesharris2559]

Great visuals!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@goochfitness26]

The amount of shell holes is just wild WW1 is such a horrifying time in history

[@MantisshWT]

What those men at fort Douaumont had witnessed must have been terrifying. Anyways, great video!! Also can you consider fort Oscarsborg and the sinking of the blücher?

[@mikefriend1514]

15:51 frankly, after all the shelling and carnage above ground, Sgt Koontz decision to dive underground makes a lot of sense!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely.

[@handyguy501]

oh please go to the Verdun museum. Very good !

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙂

[@geoffthiessen646]

Another great a educational video JD

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@MrBradleyDavid]

The the forts, the battlegrounds stand alone today as a silent scream.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Most certainly.

[@terryeustice5399]

That was at one time really. A Huge Fort. Unbelievable assault on Douamont that the Germans during the 1st World war. It looks like it was built well. Why would they strip it down? Verdun was a disaster. Thanks for Sharing JD .It was a really was at the time a well built Fort. An Great Tour. Of this old Fort. Enjoying it.

[@jeffsmith2022]

Verdun may have been a military disaster but the French army was never going to give it up to the Germans even if it meant fighting till the last man...