On February 21, 1916, the Battle of Verdun began, one of many battles that would rage across Europe during The Great War. It would last until December 18 of that same year. 377,231 French soldiers went into battle against the Germans and 162,440 never came home. Here is the story of three of these soldiers.
Charles and Gaston had grown up together and were lucky enough to end up in the same unit. They became fast friends with Gustave during training, bonding over their common, small town upbringing. Gaston's younger brother had already died during the war and Charles and Gustave's friendships are what got him through this. Before the first shots were even fired, they had a bond that would last the rest of their lives.
On that fateful day in February, they heard a shrill whistle that signaled the beginning of battle. During those first weeks of warfare, they had to dodge bullets in all kinds of extreme whether, from freezing snow to pouring rain.
Every time he heard that whistle, that call to battle, that signal that life could come to an end, Charles would have a panic attack. His friends, working together to give him a late (or early) birthday present), worked with him through the pain to get over his phobia.
In one particular firefight, most of the battle took place at night. It is an eerie feeling to have no idea whatsoever where the next gunshot or grenade blast will come from. The mission lasted quite a while before the troops had to withdraw and the French captured a lot of ground.
It wasn't all positive, however, as Charles' mental health issues continued. He became so fragile and terrified of battle that he refused to be left alone. As they entered battles, pushing forward and retreating constantly, this made it difficult for the unit.
During one battle, a short one in which our troops did not make up much ground, the damage was greater for our heroes.
Charles had worked through his fragility, but the war was starting to wear on Gustave and Gaston as well. All of them had experience trauma in various environments, from the night, to the rain, to the snow. Gustave sprained his ankle which resulted in clumsy movement through the trenches. All of the damage, both physical and mental, had completely demoralized Gaston. Every battle become more difficult for him.
Another battle and more injuries.
Charles took a piece of shrapnel to his lower back but had to fight through the pain to help his brothers in arms.
Gustave developed phobia regarding chemical warfare, but back at camp he got the support and psychological treatment he needed to get past it.
The battle, just one of many raged all across Europe, felt never ending. Another skirmish, a minor one, turned out well for our brave soldiers.
All three soldiers again cheated death and returned to base camp alive. After this foray, Charles was able to get the support he needed to get over his trauma and get medical attention for his shrapnel wound.
In November of 1916, just a month before The Battle of Verdun was won, our brave trio entered their last battle. They were whistled into battle and fought across darkness, night, and snow, but in the end they were taken down by a gas bomb. They died, huddled together, promising to meet each other in the afterlife.
There were around 18 million deaths in The Great War. Memorials around the world were erected to remember their sacrifice and bravery.
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