Colonel Driant's Command Post

In this episode of The Old Front Line , we explore the dramatic opening moments of the Battle of Verdun , focusing on the heroic stand of Lieutenant Colonel Émile Driant and his men in the Bois des Caures on 21st/22nd February 1916. Commanding the 56th and 59th Battalions of Chasseurs à Pied , Driant faced the full force of the German offensive as it erupted with one of the most intense artillery bombardments of the First World War. Outnumbered and under relentless pressure, his lightly fortified positions in the Bois des Caures became a crucial early line of resistance. Their determined defence helped delay the German advance at a critical moment, buying precious time for French reinforcements to move towards Verdun. We examine who Émile Driant was: soldier, politician, and writer. And ask why his leadership became symbolic of French resistance. Through on-the-ground exploration, we also walk the battlefield today, visiting the woods where his battalions fought and fell, uncovering traces of trenches, shell holes, and memorials that still mark this desperate struggle and visiting his symbolic command post. Books on Verdun: Alastair Horne - The Price of Glory Christina Holstein - Walking in the Footsteps of the Fallen: Verdun 1916 Christina Holstein - Walking Verdun Jacques Pericard - Verdun 1914-1918 Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin . You can order Old Front Line Merch via The Old Front Line Shop . Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast . Send us Fan Mail Support the show

You can listen to Colonel Driant's Command Post online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Colonel Driant's Command Post is an episode from The Old Front Line by Paul Reed.

This episode is 39:12 long.

This episode was published on Mar 28, 2026.

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