The Battles End, Killing Continues British ‘Wastage’ and Charges of Cowardice Special to The Great War Project (21-26 November) It may be that only the great battles of the First World War get named and garner the focus of history. But as historian Adam Hochschild notes, “the air above the Western Front was also filled…
Tag Archive for Verdun
A GRISLY ACCOUNTING
by Mike Shuster
As Somme, Verdun Battles End, Shocking Losses. Wilson Re-Elected, Seeks Peace. Special to The Great War Project (14-20 November) The battles of the river Somme and Verdun, on the Western Front in northern France are coming to an end. The last Allied offensive takes place on these days a century ago. Snow falls on the…
VERDUN REDUX
by Mike Shuster
Pace of Fighting On the Rise. Verdun and the Somme Still Key Flashpoints. Thousands of German Prisoners Taken Special to The Great War Project (24-30 October) Increased military activity breaks out on both the Western and Eastern Fronts. At Verdun on the Western Front, the confrontation between French and German troops has been static for…
HAIG RAGES: OUR LOSSES ARE TOO LOW
by Mike Shuster
British Commander Reasons, High Losses Bring Victory, Means Equal Losses for the Germans. Special to The Great War Project (9-12 July) The blood-letting on the Western Front at the Somme shows no sign of ending. Although the British five-day artillery bombardment does cut through some of the German barbed wire defenses, it is not so…
A RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH
by Mike Shuster
Slaughter at the Somme Incomprehensible. A Vision of Hell; The Sorrow of the Poet’s Song. Special to The Great War Project (2-5 July) The scale of the slaughter on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1st a century ago, is now becoming sadly clear. It is nothing less than horrific. “The human…
MASSIVE BRITISH BARRAGE AT SOMME
by Mike Shuster
Ground Attack Coming Germans Well Dug In; Fears British Offensive Will Fail Special to The Great War Project (21-25 June) The British open their enormous bombardment at the river Somme on June 24th a century ago. It is sustained along a twelve-mile front, reports historian Martin Gilbert. “More than 1500 guns and howitzers fired more…
FRENCH DESPERATE FOR HELP AT VERDUN
by Mike Shuster
French Town on Verge of Collapse; Pleas to British: Launch Offensive at the Somme Now. Haig Hesitates. Special to The Great War Project. (17-20 June) The French are putting intense pressure on Great Britain to launch a massive attack on German forces at the River Somme in northern France. The Allies have been planning this…
CHIVALRY ON THE BATTLEFIELD
by Mike Shuster
In the West, Death of a Pigeon In the East, Collapse of an Army Special to The Great War Project. (6-10 June) On June 7th a century ago in northern France near Verdun, Fort Vaux falls to the Germans. The French may have been beaten in this defense of Verdun, but it’s an awe-inspiring story. And it…
TALES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD
by Mike Shuster
Eyewitnesses to the Carnage. The Muck and Grime of Death. Special to The Great War Project (22-25 May) Vicious fighting resumes again at Verdun in northern France on the Western Front. On May 23rd a century ago, the French attack at Fort Douaumont, outside the town of Verdun. It looks at first like the French…
ITALIANS FACE HUGE AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE
by Mike Shuster
Austrians Deploy Hundreds of Guns on Trentino Front. Terrible Toll at Verdun as Battle Drags On. Special to The Great War Project (14-17 May) During these days in May a century ago, the Germans are building up their defenses on the Western Front. The major fighting for the Central Powers is the launch of a…