The Fortifications of Verdun 1874-1917

Description

The ring of fortifications protecting the city of Verdun on the Meuse River would become critical in the infamous battle of World War I. This book examines these fortifications, including the famous forts of Douaumont and Vaux that saw some of the fiercest fighting during the battle.

Clayton Donnell has had a life-long fascination with European fortifications. He spent his early years living in Switzerland and Belgium, and often visited the sites of the forts. Over the years he has travelled extensively in France and Belgium, studying the Brialmont forts of Belgium, the German fortifications of Metz and the French Sere de Rivieres and Maginot Lines. He is co-author of Modern European Military Fortifications, 1870-1950: A Selective Annotated Bibliography (Praeger, 2004), and has written two previous titles in the Osprey Fortress series: The Forts of the Meuse in World War I and The German Fortress of Metz 1870-1944. Clayton is retired from the US Military and lives in Pennsylvania. Brian Delf began his career working in a London art studio producing artwork for advertising and commercial publications. Since 1972 he has worked as a freelance illustrator on a variety of subjects including natural history, architecture and technical cutaways. His illustrations have been published in over 30 countries. Brian lives and works in Oxfordshire.

All in all this is a first-rate book and a useful addition to Osprey's Fortress series. If you are planning a trip to Verdun then I recommend you take a copy with you - Casemate: The Journal of the Fortress Study Group This is an excellent publication and highly recommended -- Military Modelcraft Magazine