Part 5/13:
The tide turned decisively on October 23 when intense artillery fire, including the formidable 400mm railway guns, struck Duaumont. These massive guns, firing with meticulous precision every 10 to 15 minutes, battered the fortress’s defenses, demolishing key structures like the kitchens and communication routes. The commander, Major Rosenthal, faced chaos and disarray—ordering a retreat from the upper levels as the fortress came under relentless attack.