Did You Know....? - Military Mayhem

During the First World War, the strategic Fort Douaumont at Verdun was captured by a single German soldier after French General Chretien (pronounced "cretin") forgot to pass on a message. His orders were to defend the fortress to the last man, but when he went on leave, he forgot to tell his successor. As a result the mighty fortress was manned by just a handful of gunners, who were taken completely by surprise. In fact 20 were captured while attending a lecture!