0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- 888- - 888
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- 888
0:00:14 > 0:00:16- 888
0:00:32 > 0:00:37- With Ypres, Arras, Marne - and the Somme behind us...
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- ..we reach the southernmost point - of our journey...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42- ..almost on the Swiss border.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- We've travelled along the front line - of the Great War...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51- ..and have reached the end - of our journey - Verdun...
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- ..often described as - "the saddest place in France".
0:00:55 > 0:00:57- The reason for that - is quite simple.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03- It was here, in 1916, that one - of the most horrific battles...
0:01:04 > 0:01:05- ..of World War I was fought.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- The town of Verdun - sits on the river Meuse...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- ..68 kilometres west of Metz.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- Before the events of World War I, - the town had a frontier feel.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22- The Romans initially - fortified the town...
0:01:22 > 0:01:27- ..and in the 17th century, engineer - Vauban turned it into a fortress.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32- The state of mind was reinforced - during the war against Prussia...
0:01:32 > 0:01:34- ..from 1870 to 1871.
0:01:35 > 0:01:40- Verdun became the stronghold - of a chain of defences...
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- ..in the surrounding hills, - defending France.
0:01:44 > 0:01:50- Verdun had symbolic significance - to the defence of France...
0:01:51 > 0:01:56- ..a significance which seeped into - the subconsciousness of France.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00- The Germans deliberately set about - exploiting that...
0:02:00 > 0:02:03- ..with the most chilling - of strategies.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08- They knew that the French would - do everything they could...
0:02:08 > 0:02:11- ..to defend Verdun - right to the last man.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- The tragedy began when - the German Chief of Staff...
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- ..Eric Von Falkenhayn, - sent a letter to the Kaiser...
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- ..on Christmas Day, 1915.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28- In the letter, he outlined - his strategy for 1916.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33- He reckoned if France could be - beaten in a major battle...
0:02:33 > 0:02:37- ..Britain could either be beaten - in turn or would be forced...
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- ..to seek terms with Germany.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51- He had good reason to seek an end - to fighting on the Western Front.
0:02:51 > 0:02:57- Germany was fighting the war on two - fronts - in the west and the east.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03- Britain would soon put more men - on the Western Front...
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- ..and before long, - British Naval blockades...
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- ..would undermine the Germans' - ability to fight.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14- Britain and France were sure to - attack on the Western Front...
0:03:14 > 0:03:19- ..at some time in 1916, - so Germany had to strike first...
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- ..if they wanted to grab - the advantage.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- Falkenhayn intended - to 'bleed France dry'...
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- ..and the Kaiser agreed with - his intention and reasoning.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35- The concept of bleeding France dry - was rather unusual...
0:03:35 > 0:03:41- ..but yet totally symptomatic of - the way leaders regarded human life.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47- Victory at Verdun would be measured - by loss of human life...
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- ..rather than territory gained.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- Artillery would play a major role - - it would be a gunner's war!
0:03:59 > 0:04:05- The Germans would simply blast - the French and their forts apart...
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- ..just as the British tried to do - to the Germans at the Somme.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13- Preparations for the attack - would be vital...
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- ..and as usual, - the Germans were meticulous.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- Thousands of experienced soldiers - were moved to the Front every day.
0:04:23 > 0:04:28- Railways were built to carry the men - and the arms they would need.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- Wagon after wagon clanked its way - towards Verdun.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38- The Germans amassed over - 1,200 heavy guns in great secrecy.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- These heavy guns would be needed - to smash the French forts.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48- The German 5th Army would lead - the successful attack...
0:04:48 > 0:04:53- ..under the command of the Kaiser's - heir - Crown Prince Wilhelm.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- Could 'Little Willie', - as the British called him...
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- ..secure victory on the Western - Front, which had until then...
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- ..been beyond the reach - of both sides?
0:05:05 > 0:05:11- The real power and control lay with - the architect of the strategy...
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- ..namely Eric Von Falkenhayn.
0:05:14 > 0:05:20- The series of forts in the hills - around Verdun were superbly sited...
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- ..with concrete walls - over eight feet thick.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29- Thanks to their shell-proof cellars, - each one of the forts...
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- ..could safely house - a battalion of infantry.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37- Fort Douaumont, the jewel in - the crown of the French defence...
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- ..was reputedly the strongest fort - in the world.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- Each fort could turn its huge guns - and machine guns...
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- ..to defend its neighbouring fort.
0:05:44 > 0:05:50- In front of each, there were deep - trenches and barbed wire defences.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55- The French believed that the forts - would never fall into enemy hands.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57- At least that was the theory.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- Since the start of the war, - the French had weakened the forts.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09- They had stripped many of the forts' - guns as they were needed elsewhere.
0:06:09 > 0:06:15- Defences were in an appalling state - and Verdun had been neglected.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20- In a forthright report, - Colonel Emile Driant...
0:06:20 > 0:06:25- ..warned of the dangers - of weakening defences at Verdun.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- He knew the Germans - were up to something.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- His superiors didn't want to know...
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- ..and he was told - to mind his own business.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41- The decision to ignore Driant's - report nearly cost France the war.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- Just like all other attacks - on the Western Front...
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- ..this attack began - with a massive bombardment.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- The initial attack should have begun - nine days earlier...
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- ..but it had been delayed - by appalling weather.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- In actual fact, up until that point, - that was the only delay...
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- ..that the Germans had suffered.
0:07:08 > 0:07:14- At dawn, on the 21st February 1916, - a terrible bombardment began...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- ..the likes of which - had never been seen before.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- It lasted for nine hours.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- Then the Germans attacked - on the right flanks of Verdun.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32- 80,000 shells fell here in - the forest at Bois des Caures...
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- ..and at 5.00pm, the German infantry - began their attack.
0:07:37 > 0:07:43- To their surprise, they found small, - stubborn pockets of resistance...
0:07:43 > 0:07:48- ..who were ready to defend, - led by Colonel Driant.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- It's hard to believe that - some French soldiers...
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- ..survived such an onslaught - and continued to fight.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- The following day, - the main German attack began...
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- ..and they began to make - slow progress...
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- ..but they underestimated - French tenacity.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24- In leading what was left of his men - to a defensive line at Beaumont...
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- ..Driant was shot through the head - and killed.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- He became France's first hero - at Verdun.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- Bois des Caures - was eventually captured...
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- ..and unsurprisingly, the villages - of Haumont, Herbebois...
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- ..and Samogneux followed suit.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49- Both sides suffered heavy losses.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- By the 24th February, the French - were in total disarray.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- The damn had burst.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04- A French division flung into - a piecemeal counter attack broke...
0:09:04 > 0:09:10- ..and Germans captured the French - Second line in a matter of hours.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- Both sides fully expected Verdun - to fall.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- The Crown Prince crowed, - "the way is open to us"...
0:09:20 > 0:09:24- ..and even the French admitted that - not even the genius of Napoleon...
0:09:25 > 0:09:26- ..could save them.
0:09:26 > 0:09:32- However, a mixture of desperate, - yet sound, French decision making...
0:09:32 > 0:09:38- ..and a few German mistakes - meant Verdun did not fall.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- But we have to remember - that a chain of forts...
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- ..like Sauville behind us, lay - between the Germans and Verdun.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- The greatest and most important - of all was Douaumont.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- 888- - As we've heard, Verdun is known - as the saddest place in France...
0:10:14 > 0:10:19- ..as the French were determined - not to surrender the forts.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- They would fight to the last man!
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- But it was a very small garrison - that defended Fort Douaumont.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33- Unfortunately, Douaumont fell under - the strangest of circumstances.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38- The strongest fort in the world - - symbol of the defence of France...
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- ..fell to one German soldier.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- Sergeant Kunze, with a section - of pioneers...
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- ..found himself caught in - a bloody battle at Fort Douaumont.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- He spotted an open entrance - and ventured in.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- Followed by his men, he made his way - through the dark tunnels...
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- ..towards a huge gun turret.
0:11:13 > 0:11:19- He quickly disarmed the few startled - defenders and silenced the gun.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- Kunze found that the fort was - stocked with food and drink...
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- ..so he and his men tucked in.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- By now, other detachments had made - their way into the fort...
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- ..led by two officers - - Captain Haupt and Lieutenant Radke.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38- By 4.30pm that afternoon, - Douaumont had fallen.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49- Church bells were rung in Germany - after the fall of Douaumont...
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- ..whilst shock and panic - rocked France.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- In Verdun itself, soldiers ran - through the streets...
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- ..shouting, "Sauve qui peut!" - - "Save yourselves!"
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- Despite this dreadful setback - for the French...
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- ..the Germans didn't make - the most of it.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- They were far too cautious.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14- The French held fast and started - to reorganise their defences.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20- General Petain took command - of the defence of Verdun.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24- The same Petain who would, - some years later, control Vichy...
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- ..on behalf of the Nazis.
0:12:27 > 0:12:33- In 1916, he had a great deal - more backbone and spirit...
0:12:33 > 0:12:39- ..and one simple command - - to defend Verdun at any cost.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- As Falkenhayn had predicted, France - threw every available man...
0:12:46 > 0:12:47- ..into defending Verdun.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- Men and munitions could only - reach the town...
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- ..via a small road from Bar-le-Duc.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- Thousands of men trudged wearily - along it...
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- ..taking with them tonnes of - supplies to face the enemy.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- The French sent units out - to grab every available truck...
0:13:07 > 0:13:12- ..and apparently, a truck would - pass by every 14 seconds...
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- ..at any given point.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- It's no surprise that this road - - France's lifeline...
0:13:18 > 0:13:23- ..was named 'Voie Sacree' - - the sacred way.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- By the end of February, the Germans - had been halted on the right...
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- ..so they switched their attack - to the left flank.
0:13:32 > 0:13:38- On the 6th March 1916, they attacked - the sinisterly named ridge...
0:13:38 > 0:13:39- ..'Morte Homme'.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44- A murderous pattern emerged from - the fighting on this tiny ridge.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- A pattern which typified - all the fighting around Verdun.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54- Ferocious bombardments, which left - little or nothing alive...
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- ..turned the landscape into - a featureless potholed hell.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- No trenches were discernible.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05- Men tried to hide in the - clusters of shell holes.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09- They lived in them, slept in them - and died in them...
0:14:09 > 0:14:14- ..as they defended their positions - with rifles, bayonets and grenades.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20- Men had been reduced - to unimaginable barbarity.
0:14:21 > 0:14:27- Falkenhayn's plan to bleed France - dry became a double-edged sword.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- Germany was beginning to - lose as many men as France.
0:14:31 > 0:14:37- The Germans continued to attack, - despite losing men and arms...
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- ..until, finally, - they captured Morte Homme...
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- ..then found themselves under attack - from a neighbouring ridge - Cote 34.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- As they fought their way - towards Verdun...
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- ..they had to make - such great sacrifices...
0:14:51 > 0:14:56- ..that Crown Prince Wilhelm began to - call for the offensive to be halted.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- Petain was promoted - due to his successes...
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- ..so the aggressive general, - Robert Nivelle took his place...
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- ..and made his murderous name.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- The Germans kept advancing - and they attacked Fort Vaux.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- The fort had been under - constant bombardment...
0:15:17 > 0:15:19- ..since the battle began - back in February...
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- ..and its desperate defence took a - huge toll on the attacking Germans.
0:15:24 > 0:15:30- Yet, by the start of June, they were - exhausted and desperate for water.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35- On the 7th June, - they finally surrendered.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- It was at this point in the battle - that the Germans...
0:15:39 > 0:15:44- ..almost broke through the French - line and unleashed a new weapon...
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- ..phosgene gas, which turned - into hydrochloric acid...
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- ..once inhaled into the lungs.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- The Germans suffered - far greater losses...
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- ..in their pursuit of victory.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- Even events at the moment of - victory conspired against them.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- German divisions were badly needed - in the East...
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- ..and the British - attacked the Somme.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- The French recaptured Douaumont - in October...
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- ..swiftly followed by Fort Vaux, - in attacks...
0:16:18 > 0:16:23- ..which when compared with previous - assaults, were very controlled.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- Falkenhayn's deadly strategy - had failed.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- However close the Germans came - to taking Verdun...
0:16:38 > 0:16:44- ..and bleeding France dry, - they almost bled Germany dry!
0:16:44 > 0:16:49- This is a place which - chills the blood, Hywel.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54- The unique building behind us - is the Ossuary at Fort Douaumont.
0:16:54 > 0:17:00- It contains the bones of - over 130,000 unidentified...
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- ..French and German soldiers.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04- What an incredible figure.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05- What an incredible figure.- - It's astonishing.
0:17:07 > 0:17:13- Without doubt, Douaumont casts - a gloomy shadow over Verdun...
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- ..and the rest of France.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20- Just think of the casualties - - some estimated 800,000 of them...
0:17:21 > 0:17:23- ..and over half of them - were fatalities.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- Others belive the figure - is much higher.
0:17:25 > 0:17:25- Others belive the figure - is much higher.- - At the end of the day, - God alone knows the exact figure.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30- At the end of the day, - God alone knows the exact figure.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- There were nine villages here - before 1916...
0:17:37 > 0:17:42- ..but they were all destroyed - and never rebuilt.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- Lewis Valentine asked a question - about the deep hell of the Somme.
0:17:46 > 0:17:52- He simply asked, "Oh, God, - how long will cruelty thrive?"
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- In as beautiful a place as this...
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- ..that question seems - to demand an answer.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03- It is a beautiful place, but it's - also one of the saddest in France.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- How do you feel about - the story we've tried to tell?
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- It's an incredible story, Hywel.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- We've followed the front line - all the way from Ypres in Belgium...
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- ..down through the Somme - and ended up here at Verdun.
0:18:43 > 0:18:49- Without doubt, we've seen - man's insanity at its worst.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- We've only come here - to see these places...
0:18:53 > 0:18:58- ..but luckily for us, - we didn't have to live through it.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- It's our honour to be able - to tell the story...
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- ..as it begs to be passed on - from generation to generation.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- Despite all that, we've also seen - memorable things...
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- ..such as the incredible monuments - and so forth.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- They'll stay in my memory - for as long as I live.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- It has been an honour, - I'm sure you'd agree.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20- Most certainly.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24- The important thing is that - we should never forget...
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- ..and pass this tragic story - down through the generations.
0:19:30 > 0:19:36- This tragic story should continue - to be told, time and time again.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- We should never forget the cost. - How can you measure that?
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- Well, let me just throw in - a few statistics.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- The greatest statistic, of course...
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- ..is that at least 10 million men - were killed.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- Only God knows the exact figure.
0:19:56 > 0:20:02- The most striking statistic for me - is that here in France...
0:20:02 > 0:20:08- ..they estimate that - 27% of France's young men...
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- ..aged between 18 and 27 - were killed...
0:20:12 > 0:20:17- ..leaving a gaping hole - which was never filled, Hywel.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- It's impossible to measure - that loss.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- Let's just talk about - the trivial material cost.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- How would you measure that cost?
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- A report prepared - for the Carnegie Institute...
0:20:31 > 0:20:37- ..claimed that the war - had cost 100,000 million...
0:20:38 > 0:20:44- ..and with that money, every - family in England, Wales...
0:20:44 > 0:20:50- ..Scotland, Ireland, Canada, the - United States, Belgium, France...
0:20:51 > 0:20:56- ..Germany and Russia - could have built a house...
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- ..worth 500 on a plot of land - worth 100...
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- ..and furnish it with 200.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- How do you begin - to make sense of that?
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- Without doubt, - it really was hell on earth...
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- ..the likes of which had never - been seen on this earth...
0:21:14 > 0:21:16- ..and, hopefully, - will never see again.
0:21:16 > 0:21:22- But, for me, there is a light - at the end of the tunnel.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- Firstly, we've seen a lot - of young people...
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- ..visiting these monuments - and graveyards.
0:21:30 > 0:21:36- Also, something I've mentioned - before, is the way...
0:21:37 > 0:21:43- ..in which nature, by means of - birdsong or beautiful forests...
0:21:44 > 0:21:49- ..has tried and succeeded to hide - the evidence of man's insanity.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53- That's been true of the places - we've visited, including Verdun...
0:21:53 > 0:21:55- ..which is now - a very beautiful place...
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- ..although it was once - reduced to rubble.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- We've heard enough of sadness - and suffering.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- In one of his poems, Gwenallt talks - of the 'primitive dust'...
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- ..in our human fabric.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- Thank heavens, the human character - also possesses that element...
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- ..which raises it above that - and insists on being resurrected.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21- It's also wonderful that - we've seen towns and villages...
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- ..which were once destroyed - but are now back on their feet...
0:22:24 > 0:22:25- ..and beautiful once more.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28- Sitting here in the sunshine - at Verdun...
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- ..it feels so good to say that.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- And I hope we never see a war - of this kind again.
0:22:35 > 0:22:36