Part 8/13:
The victory was vividly celebrated by French soldiers and commanders. Major Malkin’s troops, who captured the fortress, had endured four and a half months of fighting to retake this strategic position. The success at Verdun symbolized both a military and morale victory, contrasting sharply with previous weeks’ losses at the Somme.
The Dire Conditions on the Western Front
While the French celebrated their success, the overall Western Front was mired in mud, exhaustion, and logistical nightmares. The British Fourth Army’s attempt to assault trenches at Letranger-Louva on October 23 resulted in devastating casualties—up to 51% losses across several battalions. Heavy rains turned the battlefield into a treacherous swamp, halting supply lines and rendering movement exceedingly difficult.