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| Verdun battle centenary marked by France and Germany | Verdun battle centenary marked by France and Germany |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are marking the 100th anniversary of the battle of Verdun, the longest of World War One. | French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are marking the 100th anniversary of the battle of Verdun, the longest of World War One. |
| About 300,000 French and German soldiers were killed during 10 months of fighting in north-eastern France. | About 300,000 French and German soldiers were killed during 10 months of fighting in north-eastern France. |
| France eventually emerged victorious. | France eventually emerged victorious. |
| But now Verdun is seen as a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation, which was reflected by both Mr Hollande and Mrs Merkel in their speeches. | But now Verdun is seen as a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation, which was reflected by both Mr Hollande and Mrs Merkel in their speeches. |
| Verdun: France's sacred symbol of healing | Verdun: France's sacred symbol of healing |
| The ceremonies started with the leaders visiting the German military cemetery at Consenvoye, just north of Verdun, where 11,000 German soldiers are buried. | The ceremonies started with the leaders visiting the German military cemetery at Consenvoye, just north of Verdun, where 11,000 German soldiers are buried. |
| The leaders then moved on to a ceremony at Verdun city hall. | The leaders then moved on to a ceremony at Verdun city hall. |
| In her speech there, Mrs Merkel said: "Only those who know the past can draw lessons and build a good future." | In her speech there, Mrs Merkel said: "Only those who know the past can draw lessons and build a good future." |
| Remembering the famous 1984 image of former leaders Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl holding hands at Verdun, she said: "We have reconciled and reached agreement; we have become friends." | Remembering the famous 1984 image of former leaders Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl holding hands at Verdun, she said: "We have reconciled and reached agreement; we have become friends." |
| Mr Hollande also reflected on Franco-German relations, saying that Mrs Merkel's presence showed that Verdun was not a symbol of suffering but one of hope. | Mr Hollande also reflected on Franco-German relations, saying that Mrs Merkel's presence showed that Verdun was not a symbol of suffering but one of hope. |
| He said: "Verdun... is where Europe lost itself, 100 years ago. But it also experienced the best - the town was capable of galvanising itself, coming together for peace and for Franco-German friendship. Long live the spirit of Verdun." | He said: "Verdun... is where Europe lost itself, 100 years ago. But it also experienced the best - the town was capable of galvanising itself, coming together for peace and for Franco-German friendship. Long live the spirit of Verdun." |
| A commemorative ceremony was then held at the Douaumont Ossuary. Some 4,000 French and German children took part in a performance choreographed by German filmmaker Volker Schloendorff. | |
| Church bells then sounded throughout the Verdun area. | |
| Some 60 million shells were fired during the battle. About 25% failed to explode, meaning that housing and farming in the battlefield area are still banned. | Some 60 million shells were fired during the battle. About 25% failed to explode, meaning that housing and farming in the battlefield area are still banned. |
| The battle of Verdun, 21 February - 15 December 1916 | The battle of Verdun, 21 February - 15 December 1916 |
| What caused Verdun to be the longest battle of WW1? | What caused Verdun to be the longest battle of WW1? |