JIM RISWOLD
VERDUN (AS TOLD BY CASSOULET)
The Battle of Verdun lasted from February 21 to December 16, 1916.
The French suffered 371,000 casualties.
The Germans suffered 337,000 casualties.
On February 24, 9,000 horses were killed.
Albert Joubaire, a French soldier, wrote in his diary, “What a bloodbath,
what horrid images, what a slaughter. I cannot find the words to express
my feelings. Hell cannot be this dreadful.”
Joubaire died at Verdun.
Johannes Haas, a 24-year old theology student from Leipzig,
wrote to his parents:
My dear, good, old parents,
Here we have war, war in its most appalling form, and in our distress
we realize the nearness of God. Things are becoming very serious,
but I am inwardly unalarmed and happy… I do not fear the Judgment.
I am indeed a poor sinful creature, but how great is God’s mercy and
the Saviour’s love! So, without fear or dismay I do my duty to the
Fatherland and to my dear German people. I thank you, dear Parents,
for having led me to the Saviour, that was the best thing he ever did.
I love you tenderly. God be with you.
Three weeks later, Haas wrote again:
Dear Parents,
I am lying on the battle-field, wounded in the body.
I think I am dying. I am glad to have time to prepare for the
heavenly homecoming. Thank you dear parents. God be with you.
Hass died at Verdun.
Henri Desagneaux, a French soldier, wrote,
“We are no longer in a civilized world.”
Desagneaux survived Verdun.
He was one of the lucky ones.
*******
2011 color digital print 30 x 48 inches, edition of 5
$2000. UF
20 x 32 inches, edition of 5
$950. UF