Fort Douaumont at Verdun in France was captured in 1916 by a single German soldier after French General Chretien forgot to pass on orders to defend the fort to the last man to his successor Annie
Not quite - at least according to Richard Holmes in Fatal Avenue (an excellent read!) Sgt Klunze, part of 24th Brandenburg Infantry Regiment, gained access to Douaumont and captured the 155mm gunners. They escaped when he got lost; he had a late lunch. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Radtke led an alternative attack. Lieutenant von Brandis with Captain Haupt gave support. Brandis was sent to inform his chain of command, embellished his actions, and, alongside Haupt, was awarded the Pour le Merite. Klunze was eventually - after the war - promoted to police inspector; Radtke got a signed photo of the Crown Prince. Roxy
