Location 4 – Colonel Driant's Command Post

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Brief History - The Initial German Assault

Directions – Head back towards town and take a right at the roundabout to Dun-sur-Meuse on the D964 heading north. This road runs alongside the river. Pass through Bras-sur-Meuse before taking a right onto the D905 at Vacherauville. Follow this road into the forest for about 10-15 minutes and you eventually pass the Tomb of Colonel Driant opposite a car park. Signposts from here direct you to his command post and the spot where he fell mortally wounded.

Historical Notes – Formerly a captain in the French Army and a member of the Chamber of Deputies representing the city of Nancy before the war, Lieutenant-Colonel Emile Driant was recalled to the colours in 1914 and promoted to colonel the following year. He was placed in command of two battalions of Chasseurs, the 56th and 59th, in the Bois des Caures north of Verdun. Critical of the denuding of the Verdun forts' defences to strengthen other parts of the front line, he argued that the Verdun sector was vulnerable to German attack but his protestations were ignored.

On 21st February 1916, in accordance with Falkenhayn's grim strategy, the German Army launched a massive attack on the French front line. Whilst French regiments disintegrated around them in the fury of the bombardment, Driant's beleaguered battalions steadfastly fought on through the night and into the afternoon of the 22nd buying the French High Command vital time to bring up reinforcements. Sadly, Driant was killed in the struggle but his brave stand against insurmountable odds made him a hero to the French people.