Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of at least 20 soldiers killed during the First World War after a chance discovery by a group of tourists.
Seven
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2334354/Archaeologists-unearth-bones-20-French-First-World-War-dead-chance-discovery-hikers-forest-Verdun.html#ixzz2V0XqeHhn
Poignant: During the 300 days of the Battle of Verdun, which lasted from February 21 1916 to December 19 1916, approximately 230,000 men died on a battlefield covering less than eight square miles
f the soldiers have already been identified through the military identification tags they wore. According to official records, these soldiers were killed in combat between March 28 and April 5.
Investigations have already begun to find the descendants of the men.
In cases where the family does not want to recover the body, the soldiers will be buried in the Fleury military cemetery under a white cross.
The bones were pulled from the earth at the scene of the destroyed village of Fleury-devant-Douaumont, in Meuse, north-east France, after hikers spotted a bone sticking out of the ground.
Many personal belongings belonging to the deceased have also been uncovered, including ammunition, rings, watches, scissors, military books and wallets.
- Remains found at the site of the village of Fleury-devant-Douaumont, which was destroyed during the Battle of Verdun
- It is believed that the location where the men were found was a first-aid station blown apart by a German artillery shell
- The Battle of Verdun was the longest and one of the most devastating battles in the history of warfare
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2334354/Archaeologists-unearth-bones-20-French-First-World-War-dead-chance-discovery-hikers-forest-Verdun.html#ixzz2V0X0ehHm
