They Shall Not Pass

The road from Paris to Verdun passes through ruined villages, roadside graves and fields worked by women, children and older men. Frank H. Simonds records that approach in articles gathered into this 1916 volume, after French officials arrange for him to visit the battle area. His account follows the changing landscape toward the front and conveys his admiration for the courtesy and resolve he encounters in France.

Alongside the observations of a visiting correspondent, Simonds considers what Verdun means for national morale. He compares its importance to Gettysburg, arguing that a checked offensive can change public confidence as well as military prospects. The contents also point to discussions of the city, battlefield geography and Lorraine. Readers interested in wartime reporting can examine how an American observer framed an ongoing battle for audiences at home, combining visible damage with an openly sympathetic interpretation of French endurance.