As part of it’s Extreme Battlefield’s theme, the current issue of Wargames Illustrated (WI351) features a great article by James Morris: This is My Last Pigeon. The article features Mr Morris’ Fort Vaux World War One model and he tells us about the construction of this unique piece of terrain. In the interactive/ipad version of this issue you can also see a mini movie interview with James and footage of the model.
James also provided us with a timeline of the key events in the battle for Fort Vaux, which we present here, along with a ‘trailer’ for the interview and some shots of the model.
1871
Following the Franco-Prussian War and the annexation of territory, the French city of Verdun finds itself within a few kilometres of the new German border.
1871
1881-1885
Fort Vaux is constructed as part of a ring of forts to defend the city of Verdun.
1881-1885
1888 - 1912
Fort Vaux is modernised and covered with a layer of concrete as protection against new high-explosive shells. Underground tunnels and entrances are created and a twin 75mm gun turret installed.
1888 - 1912
1915
With Verdun being regarded as a rearguard position, Fort Vaux has nearly all its 75mm guns removed in a reorganisation by General Joffre. The only remaining guns are the pair in the 75mm turret.
1915
February 21st, 1916
Start of the Battle of Verdun – Germans attack French positions and make large gains.
February 21st, 1916
February 24-26th, 1916
Fort Douaumont – the lynchpin of the Verdun forts – falls to the advancing Germans. The order goes out to prepare Fort Vaux for demolition; it is not carried out, but the 75mm gun turret is accidentally put out of action, leaving the fort with no forward-firing armament. The fort is damaged by heavy German shelling.
February 24-26th, 1916
February 26th – March 9th, 1916
Attempts to take Fort Vaux fail, although German soldiers advance as far as the ditch of the fort.
February 26th – March 9th, 1916
March - May 1916
Stalemate; German positions are now within 150m of Fort Vaux, but attempts to take French positions protecting the flanks of the fort fail. The fort is heavily shelled and some cracks and breaches appear in the tunnels.
March - May 1916
May 24th, 1916
Major Raynal is appointed the new commandant of Fort Vaux. He quickly organises patching up and defence of the battered fort. The fort is overcrowded with men taking refuge from the battle as well as the garrison.
May 24th, 1916
June 1st, 1916
German attacks push forwards either side of Fort Vaux. Fortuitously, a French machine gun company arrives at the fort and plays a major part in its defence.
June 1st, 1916
June 2nd, 1916
The main German attack on Fort Vaux begins. Both ditch bunkers fall to the Germans, giving them access to the tunnels leading into the fort. Raynal has sandbag barricades built to guard the two tunnels giving access to the fort.
June 2nd, 1916
June 3rd, 1916
The battle continues above and below ground. German soldiers digging in on the roof of the fort are driven off by French shelling. First attempt by the French to relieve the fort fails under German artillery fire.
June 3rd, 1916
June 4th, 1916
At dawn, another French relief attempt fails to reach the fort. Germans bring up flamethrowers to attack the tunnel barricades – both sides suffer casualties and severe shock, but the French hold on. Realising the danger, Raynal orders his men to withdraw to more defensible barricades further down the corridors. However, the French then discover that the fort cisterns are empty and there is only a small amount of water remaining. Cadet Buffet and a number of other soldiers run the gauntlet of German fire to leave the fort and head back to French lines.
June 4th, 1916
June 5th, 1916
Attacks on the fort continue both above and below ground. The barricades in the courtyard are put under severe pressure and Raynal withdraws his defenders yet further into the fort, abandoning the latrines and powder store that was being used as a mortuary. French shelling drives off German attacks on the roof, but the French are at breaking point, with no water.
June 5th, 1916
June 5th, 1916
Morale in the fort is raised as Cadet Buffet miraculously returns from headquarters promising another relief attack.
June 5th, 1916
June 6th, 1916
The promised relief attack fails with heavy casualties, and morale in the fort drops once again. With no water and no hope of relief, Raynal decides to surrender.
June 6th, 1916
June 7th, 1916
To the astonishment of the Germans, Raynal surrenders the fort with ‘honours of war.’ The garrison of nearly 600 men (and Raynal’s dog, Qui Qui) marches into captivity; some are so thirsty that they break ranks to drink from a fetid shell hole.
June 7th, 1916
June 8th, 1916
Unaware that the fort has surrendered, a final relief attempt is mounted by Zouaves and Moroccan infantry; they are cut to pieces by German artillery and the attack fails completely.
June 8th, 1916
June 8th, 1916
Raynal is taken to meet Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany. Wilhelm presents Raynal with an officer’s sword as he has none of his own.
June 8th, 1916
June-October 1916
The Germans occupy the fort, using it as a forward signalling station and shelter for front-line units about to be sent into action. However, the June and July offensives fail to make enough headway and the battle begins to turn against the Germans.
June-October 1916
October 1916
Fort Vaux is shelled by two gigantic French 400mm rail guns, nicknamed ‘Alsace’ and ‘Lorraine’. Fort Douaumont is recaptured by the French, and Fort Vaux is prepared for demolition.
October 1916
November 2nd, 1916
The fort is partially demolished by German engineers before being retaken by the French. Repaired and improved, it remains part of the Verdun defences until the end of the war.
November 2nd, 1916
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