Base Camp at Verdun

After only eighteen days in Paris, the 12th Army Group moved their headquarters to Verdun as Allied forces continued pushing the Germans eastward. Verdun, a city best known as a bloody World War I battleground, became Chaplain McDonald’s base for most of the war. While at base camp, Frederick McDonald shared close quarters with other […]

After only eighteen days in Paris, the 12th Army Group moved their headquarters to Verdun as Allied forces continued pushing the Germans eastward. Verdun, a city best known as a bloody World War I battleground, became Chaplain McDonald’s base for most of the war.

While at base camp, Frederick McDonald shared close quarters with other chaplains and officers. He particularly enjoyed the camaraderie and socializing over a drink.

The officers were every kind, some drank rather heavily … our room was heated briefly in the evening with a pot bellied stove which we called the black elephant. We would gather about it for a drink after work whenever distribution was made from a seized Nazi liquor supply, which was quite often.

–Fred McDonald

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