Verdun 1917- The French hit back.

We are delighted to welcome Christina Holstein, one of Britain’s leading authorities on the Battle of Verdun and the French Army during the First World War. A former long-term resident of Luxembourg, Christina knows the Verdun battlefield exceptionally well and has spent many years researching its history while leading battlefield tours across the region. She is the author of six acclaimed books on Verdun and has also worked as an historical consultant on numerous BBC documentaries. 

The Talk

By the end of 1916, Verdun had become synonymous with sacrifice and endurance. Yet the story did not end there. In 1917, after months of careful planning and preparation, the French Army launched a series of determined offensives to reclaim the ground lost during Germany’s great assault of the previous year.

Based on her acclaimed book Verdun 1917: The French Hit Back, Christina Holstein tells the often-overlooked story of how the French Army recovered from the trauma of 1916 and systematically fought its way back across the battlefield. The lecture examines the planning, tactics and leadership behind these operations, as well as the experiences of the soldiers who took part.

While Verdun is usually remembered as a German offensive and a French defence, this talk reveals the equally compelling story of the French counter-offensive that restored much of the battlefield and demonstrated an army that had learned important lessons from one of the most brutal battles in history.

Drawing on extensive original research and an unrivalled knowledge of the Verdun battlefield, Christina brings to life a fascinating chapter of the Great War that deserves to be far better known.

🎟️ Visitors welcome- you don't have to be a WFA member to attend.

🍺 Bar available