The Hartmannswillerkopf:
Chronology of the Combats

In the first few months of the war there is no interest in the 956 meters high Hartmannswillerkopf (HWK). This changes when the French want to take Cernay and they realize that the HWK offers an excellent vantage point. He who holds the HWK can keep Cernay under constant observation and artillery fire.

Map of the HWH, the attack of 21-25 December 1915.
Map provided by Marcus Massing, Photobook Verdun website.

 25/12/14:The newly created Army of the Vosges under General Puz begins their offensive. According to Puz it has the following objective: 
"My main thrust will be along the valley of the Fecht and particularly in the area south of the valley. My first objective is to establish to the south-east of the heights of Guebwiller a front which will enable me to threaten a line from Colmar to Mulhouse with my artillery. This means that Cernay must be taken and that the enemy must be held at sufficient distance from the Thann to Belfort road to ensure the security of this line of communication; this in its turn means that the Kahlberg peak and the Pont d'Aspach must be taken"
The French 28th Bn. Chasseurs Alpins (B.C.A.) occupy the summit of the HWK.

The summit of the HWK
Memorial to the 152nd R.I., the 'Red Devils'
It is mounted on a sheer rock face on the summit of the HWK.

And the view one has from it over the plain below

26/12/14: German 123rd Landwehr Reg. attack the HWK, but is repulsed.

4/1/15: Four German Reg. attack, but are repulsed. The French send 100 men of the 28th B.C.A. who reinforce the French positions on the top.

9/1/15: Second German attack. Fails many due to an attack in the rear and flank by the 68th B.C.A. The Germans lose 34 men and have 81 wounded. The French only lose 3 men. The French reinforce the summit garrison with 200 men from I/28th B.C.A.

19/1/15: New German attack. Although the French hold the Summit, their flanks are unprotected. The Germans realize this and manage to cut the French 28th B.C.A. off. The French launch counter attacks to break the siege, but fail.

21/1/15: The French Garrison on the summit surrender. The HWK is in German hands.

General Serret (66th D.I.) takes over French command.

Feb. 17 - 23/3/15: Heavy French artillery fire on HWK in preparation for March attack.

23/3/15: French 152nd Regiment d'Infanterie (R.I.) attacks, but is halted 150 from the summit.

26/3/15: French 152nd R.I. take the summit.

25/4/15: German counter attack. 38 German guns and several mortars inflict heavy casualties o the French by their accurate fire. The garrison on the summit is surrounded and at 20:00 hrs. 761 French officers and men of the 152nd R.I. are captured. The summit will remain no-man's-land for the rest of the summer.

Summer 1915: Germans construct many defensive works on the HWK such as bunkers, concrete mortar emplacements, underground tunnels, a cable lane, electricity stations, etc.

One of the concrete works: fort Großherzog.
Picture provided by Marcus Massing, Photobook Verdun website.

One of the concrete works: fort Großherzog.

21/12/15: After an artillery barrage in which 240 guns of all caliber fire 25,000 shells several French units (among which the 152nd R.I. and the 27th and 28th B.C.A.) attack. The French make great gains and the 152nd R.I. take the summit of the HWK. They take 1,500 prisoners. When night falls the attack is halted.
Even during the attack the Germans have called for reinforcements from Mulhouse. These are rushed to the HWK by train and during the evening and the night these units arrive. 

Hartmannswillerkopf: the result of the artillery barrage.
Picture provided by Marcus Massing, Photobook Verdun website.

Hartmannswillerkopf: treeless.
Picture provided by Marcus Massing, Photobook Verdun website.

22/12/15: The Germans make a successful counterattack and drive the French back. After the heaviest fighting so far on the mountain the 152nd R.I. is annihilated. 1,350 French soldiers are captured.

23/12/15  -  8/1/16: The Germans regain the summit. After 19 days of fighting and tens of thousands casualties later the French hold the same line as they did on December 21st 1915. In this period mentioned above the 66th D.I. is decimated. Gen. Serret is wounded on the HWK and will die on Jan. 6th 1916 at Moosch. Gen. Nollet takes over command.

 The grave of Gen. Serret, 66 D.I. at Moosch Cimetière Nationale.
There are strong rumors that there was a 'contract' on Serret's life
by troops fed up with him. Same rumor has it he was killed
by French artillery.

9/9/16: First use on the HWK of Flame throwers by the Germans.

15/10/18: Americans take over the line by the French

4/11/18: Last German casualty on the HWK.

German Troops involved in the fighting on the HWK 1914-1918:

French Troops involved in the fighting on the HWK 1914-1918:

Hartmannswillerkopf: entrance to fort Ratz.
Picture provided by Marcus Massing, Photobook Verdun website.

The 'Rehfelsen', the lower part of the HWK.
Picture provided by Marcus Massing, Photobook Verdun website.

French steel observation shelter 'Sous-Mégard'.

Interior of the Hartmannswillerkopf Crypt

An Unfortunate Region 2003