Today is Bastille Day in France, the equivalent of Independence Day in the United States. Since I am part French (which explains the constant use of my hands while talking and the frequent tears in my eyes), I find myself contemplating the nation of my roots and its history.
This morning I found myself thinking on a particular event that happened just 94 years ago in the hills of eastern France. Tucked away near the Ardenne Forest, is the little city of Verdun. The city itself is hardly remarkable. Yet, historically, it holds a special place in the history of France and the honor roll of courage.
During the First World War, Verdun became, by accident or design, the linchpin of the French Lines. To its south, the French clung to a series of fortifications and earthworks. To the North, the Armies of France, Belgium, and England were spread in a line of trenches extending to the English Channel. Verdun connected the two lines. At the beginning of 1916, Verdun was the apex of an angle sticking into the German Lines. In February, 1916, realizing the importance of Verdun, the Germans threw three army corps, 1,400 artillery pieces firing over one million shells, and newly formed shock troops, called “storm troopers” specially trained in trench warfare at this critical juncture. Hills were literally reduced to level ground and vast craters, some thirty feet deep, were created by the shelling. The tidal wave of men, nearly overwhelmed the outnumbered French.
Over the next month, the Germans pushed in the French lines and closed in on Verdun from three sides. All roads into the city were cut, save one, the “Voie Sacree”, the Sacred Way. Along this lone, single lane road rolled the only supplies and reinforcements that Verdun would receive for almost a year. In Late February, 1916, as the French lines slowly fell back, General Philippe Petain was appointed commander of the city. Gen. Petain looked over the battle field and returned to his headquarters. He then drew a line the battle map outlining the new French positions and directed that this line must be held.
For the next two months the Germans pressed in on all sides, but the French Lines held. With the coming of Summer, the Germans changed their tactics and proceeded to strike from one sector of the line and then another, but each time the French fought them off. In June, 1916 the Germans threw 60,000 men against the critical fort of Souville. Fort Souville was the final line of fortifications between the Germans and the Voie Sacree. In command was a young general by the name of Robert Nivelle. As the attack was launched upon his fort, a cable came from headquarters, “Can you hold?” Gen. Nivelle’s simple reply was “Il ne passant pas!” (They Shall Not Pass.) For a solid month, the French stood their ground within Fort Souville as the Germans pummeled them with bombs and wave upon wave of men. By July 12, 1916, the Germans had exhausted themselves upon the walls of Fort Souville, but did not take it. The French held. The tide had turned.
Over the next year, the French slowly and surely pushed the Germans back. First by opening up additional roads to allow manpower and supplies to flow. Then a step at a time the French advanced, returning their lines to where they were at the start of 1916. By August, 1917, the Germans were thrown out of the last trenches originally held by the French. The Battle of Verdun ended. Over 700,000 men were killed, wounded or captured during the course of this fight. The city and its surroundings were devastated.
Verdun was the last bastion, the final stronghold of the people of France during that trying time. Sometimes it feels like we face something similar here in Vermont. There are so few of us who strive for liberty in this State. We look around and see on all sides those who seek to expand the state and limit the freedom to choose for all. Their march seems relentless. But now is not the time to despair. We must continue our struggle to get our message out to our fellow citizens. We must carry on the struggle to be the change we seek in our society. We must hold the line and insist on limited government, personal/economic liberty, and fiscal sanity. We must not give up and concede this ground. “This far and no further.” must be the watch word of the day. We must inscribe on our hearts and in our minds, “Il ne passant pas!”
Happy Bastille Day.
Steven J. Howard
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