Emile Driant, First hero of Verdun

Lieutenant-Colonel Emile Driant died on the second day of the Battle of Verdun and is remembered as its first hero. A career soldier whose path to promotion was blocked by his Catholic faith and family links, he turned to politics and writing but returned to front line command in 1914. His protests against the weakening Verdun's defences brought him once again into disfavour but, when the Germans attacked, his stout defence of a key position not only set the tone for the remainder of the battle but made him a legend.

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