six o'clock
On the twenty-second of February , 1916 , an automobile sped northward along the French battle line that for almost two years had held back the armies of the German emperor , strive as they would to win their way farther into the heart of France . For months the opposing forces had battled to a draw from the North Sea to the boundary of Switzerland , until now , as the day waned -- it was almost six o'clock -- the hands of time drew closer and closer to the hour that was to mark the opening of the most bitter and destructive battle of the war , up to this time . It was the eve of the battle of Verdun . The occupants of the automobile as it sped northward numbered three . In the front seat , alone at the driver 's wheel , a young man bent low .