Stock Photo - Ceremony at Fort Douaumont on Nov 13th 2009 when the German flag was hoisted above the fort for the first time since 1914. Built in 1884 and improved to withstand developments in artillery due to a failure in command the fort had been largely de-manned prior to the battle and was only garrisoned by about 80 gunners. Captured by a patrol of the 24th Brandenburgers on April 26th and it became the focus of the battle for the following months. In May 8th and explosion in a grenade store inside the fort killed 679 Germans who are buried in a walled up gallery. It was not until 24th October that the fort was re-captured.