Knee Deep Into History… For France and Germany, the Battle of Verdun that began in February 1916 is synonymous with an inhuman, ruthless, industrialized war. On the shell-riddled, heavily-fortified battlefield of Verdun, the individual was only a tiny cog in a gigantic machine and at the mercy of a industrialized warfare. Hundreds of thousands of young French and Germans lost their lives or health here during the 300 days of fighting that raged in 1916.
More recently, however, Verdun also stands as a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation. The latest example is the ‘Partnership of Peace’ signed in 2019 between the French community of Douaumont-Vaux and the German city of Rheinbach.
More than 500 kilometers of trenches, countless monuments, and dozens of fortresses and concrete structures can still be found around the small town of Verdun. The battlefield is also dotted with large and small cemeteries, where the fallen soldiers of both sides were laid to rest.
For all these reasons Verdun is one the most unique and impressive battlefields of the First World War and is worth a visit. Get knee deep into history as we explore the context of the fighting and individual human stories.
Schedule
Day 1—Tuesday, 23 May—Pick up at CDG at 12:00pm. Introductory briefing and dinner beginning early evening.
Day 2—Wednesday, 24 May—Focus on the East Bank of the Meuse River, including the initial assault, Fort Douaumont, Fleury and Fort Vaux.
Day 3—Thursday, 25 May—Focus on the West Bank of the Meuse River, including Forges and Forges Forest, Hill 304 and le Mort Homme. Day 2 will include an above- and underground tour of Vauquois Hill, a well-preserved example of the mining warfare of WW1.
Day 4—Friday, 26 May—Morning departures at 9:00am to CDG. We expect to arrive at the return point by 12h00, but delays are always possible.
Note: This tour could easily be combined with the Flanders Fields and Somme Tour (just before) or the Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel Tour (just after) this tour.
Schedule is subject to modification as outlined in the 2023 Tour Brochure and 2023 Terms and Conditions.
Testimonials from Select 2022 Clients
“…This is my second visit with you and I am working on my third and fourth visits in the future. Most of all I want to thank you for helping not just one, but now two, of my sons to gain an incredible appreciation for WW1 and their great-grandfather. There is nothing like walking in his footsteps…” Matt Treaster, Kansas, 2022.
“You have provided me one of the best experiences of my life in the historical arena. In many ways it is superior to the drama of the first “take” in filming the First Manassas battle scene in North—South, Pt. II… While it was good, yours was better as it was on the real ground and intellectually stimulating. Your scholarship is awesome and MAKES your program—especially through your analysis of period photography. I hope to use your talents again for my wife, Viola, to gain some perspective on her father in WW1.” Matt Switlik, Michigan, 2022.
“It is always a boon when your expectations of a great learning experience turn into a grand WW1 adventure with two guides whom are first-class historians. The two tours I took cleared my many uncertain opinions about the war… My interest in artillery and narrow-gauge railways was a cause that Markus and Randy accepted and lead me to many interesting sites…” Ken Baumann, Michigan, 2022.
Please see our Testimonials Page for additional feedback from clients.
Download the Tour Information! Sign up Deadline is 23 March!
Visit our Q&A Page for more information.
Still have questions or concerns? Email Randy Gaulke at mailto:kneedeepintohistory@gmail.com.