Fort Douaumont - Verdun battlefield

Observation cupola atop the fort of Douaumont. Built in 1884 and improved to withstand developments in artillery due to a failure in command the fort had been largely de-manned prior t the battle and was only garrisoned by about 80 gunners. It was captured by a patrol of the 24th Brandenburgers on April 26th and it became the focus of the battle for the following months. In May 7th and explosion in a grenade store inside the fort killed 679 Germans who are buried in a walled up gallery and later that month the French got onto the northern art but were driven off and it was not until 24th October that the fort was re-captured

Atop Battlefields Brandenburgers Buried Cupola Developments Douaumont Driven Failure Focus Forts Garrisoned Grenade Gunners Improved Largely Manned Maur Sheil Verdun Walled Withstand

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