Trench of Bayonets — Attraction in Verdun

Monument to a myth ?

Myth : During an artillery bombardment in June 1916, a trench containing men of the 137th infantry regiment was filled in, burying the men alive whilst they were standing up. Only the bayonets attached to their rifles remained visible. protruding through the soil.

Reality : Two batallions of the 137th RI were indeed present here in June 1916 and suffered very heavy casualties from both artillery and german assaults. A mass grave containing the remains of 21 men was discovered here, marked by rifles. Seven of the men were unidentified and reburied here, the others were reburied at the new cemetery at Douaumont.

Reality or myth, it's an interesting place to visit. The entrance is very impressive, but sadly the trench itself is simple bare earth containing a couple of crosses and covered by an ugly concrete structure. Parking is available on the roadside opposite...

It's a 'battle of Verdun' monument where 163.000 french soldiers and 143.000 german soldiers died in vain in 1916. Interesting enough to see while passing by but there are more impressive WW1 monuments and remainders in the area. Go see the cemetary (fields of graves) and the destroyed village (fields of...

I refused to pay for museum, as a matter of principle: no funding for war and war related. I visited three areas instead, all parts of former battlefield. I do not know if in the museum they raise any awareness against war, but the areas I have seen looked more like glorifying heroes and no hint to...