Original German Postcard - Verdun - Church amongst ruins

Verdun – Destroyed Church & Street Scene (WWI)

Authentic First World War postcard depicting a devastated street in Verdun, France, showing:

• A heavily damaged church with surviving spire

• Ruined residential buildings

• Rubble-filled roadway

• Handwritten “Verdun” on the image margin

Reverse shows:
“Verlag für allgemeines Wissen, Berlin W. 9.”
Series number: No. 8

German wartime publication.

Standard WWI postcard format (approx. 14 x 9 cm).
Unused. Age toning and foxing consistent with over 100 years.

Historical Context – Verdun, 1916

The Battle of Verdun (February–December 1916) became one of the longest and most devastating battles of World War I.

German forces launched a massive offensive intending to “bleed France white.” The result was nearly 300,000 dead and over 700,000 total casualties.

Verdun’s urban areas and surrounding villages were almost completely destroyed by:

• Continuous artillery bombardment

• Heavy shelling

• Close-range infantry combat

Church towers and partial walls were often among the only structures left standing — scenes like the one depicted on this card became symbolic of Verdun’s devastation.

German-issued postcards of Verdun were widely circulated during the war, both as documentation and as morale material for the home front.

Verdun remains one of the most iconic names of the Western Front.

CONDITION

• Original period postcard (not a reproduction)

• Postally used: No

• Writing on backside: No

• Stamp present: No

• Corners: Edge wear

• Surface: Considerable age marks

Please see photos for detailed condition.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Country: Germany

• Year: 1916-1925

• Publisher unknown, made in Berlin

• Type: Real photo postcard

• Dimensions: Approx. 14x9cm

• Era: First World War

SHIPPING

• Carefully packed in protective sleeve

• Combined shipping available