Re: Interesting History Behind BF1 Weapon Skin Names?
I collected the skin references from the transcript of the Devil's Anvil operation (Verdun Heights and Fort De Vaux maps)
https://battlefield.fandom.com/wiki/Devil%27s_Anvil/Transcript
EXCERPT
For centuries, the city of Verdun (reference to the M1909 Benét-Mercié's Verdun skin) had been a symbol of French strength. However, in 1916, the defenses around the city were neglected in this quiet sector. But then at dawn on February 21st a sudden infernal barrage of 1 million shells hammered Verdun turning it into the Devil's Anvil (historical fact on BF1 loading screen: "The opening artillery barrage on Verdun was the largest mankind had ever seen at that time.").
VERDUN HEIGHTS - GERMAN EMPIRE - INTRODUCTION
German Soldier: (in German) We have been preparing for a long battle, troops and supplies arriving by train from all over Europe (historical facton on BF1 loading screen: "In preparation to attack Verdun Falkenhayn's men spent seven weeks constructing new railway lines, assembling heavy concrete bunkers to house troops, and stockpiling more than 1200 artillery pieces"). We are edging forward, sleeper by sleeper, rail by rail. These are our scalpels cutting into the heart of France. We will open this country up and leave her to bleed. They have given this offensive a codename: Gerricht: Judgement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Verdun#First_phase,_21_February_%E2%80%93_1_March historical fact on BF1 loading screen: "Chief of the German General Staff Falkenhayn named the plans to attack Verdun 'Unternehmen Gericht' - Operation Judgement."). I know that this will be the battle to settle this terrible war.
VERDUN HEIGHTS - GERMAN EMPIRE - BRIEFING - SAMOGNEUX 1916 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samogneux the location of Verdun Heights map is Samogneux)
German Officer: Falkenhayn (reference to the Selbstlader 1906's Falkenhayn skin) has guaranteed our artillery will continue to fire on the Verdun fortresses, as we move through Bois de la Vauche (la Vauche, Bezonvaux, France?) to capture the village of Samogneux. From here, we will attack the French positions by the ruins of La Fontaine (La Fontaine Ruins is a BF1 objective). We will then continue to push through this ravine, up the hill, where we will clear these trench lines, until we have secured the French artillery at Côte 378 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Verdun#First_phase,_21_February_%E2%80%93_1_March Côte 378 is a BF1 objective). And from here, we will be able to secure Fort Douaumont (reference to the Sjögren Inertial shotgun's Douaumont skin).
VERDUN HEIGHTS - FRENCH REPUBLIC - THIRD BATTALION DEFEATED (VICTORY)
French Officer: A glorious victory for France. Your valiant hearts (reference to the Bodeo 1889 Revolver's The Valiant skin?) reflect the values of our great nation. Liberté, égalité, fraternité (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libert%C3%A9,_%C3%A9galit%C3%A9,_fraternit%C3%A9).
INTERMISSION
Narrator/Announcer: After an initial breakthrough, the Germans took the massive Fort Douaumont. This advance would soon come to a halt, as the French poured men and resources into the area, determined to defend Verdun at all costs. And as the Germans approached Fort Vaux (reference to the Model 10 Shotgun's Vaux skin), the outcome was far from certain.
FORT DE VAUX - GERMAN EMPIRE - INTRODUCTION
German Soldier: (in German) We are expected to attack Fort Vaux tomorrow. Who knows what hides beneath the surface of those thick walls. I have heard it was built after Bismarck's terrible war (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_von_Bismarck Franco-Prussian War 1870–71, the annexation of Alsace–Lorraine), to protect this region from future invaders. And here we are again, at each other's throats, both of us prepared to die before relinquishing an inch of ground.
FORT DE VAUX - GERMAN EMPIRE - BRIEFING - FORT DE VAUX 1916
German Officer: The French garrison have barricaded themselves inside of Fort Vaux. Leutnant Müller (This is here not a reference to the MP18's Breakthrough Muller skin. https://www.footstepsofgenerals.com/news/2020/5/7/3yntatvoc041kk2xwrdcv3t70w8gxv The garrison eventually ran out of water, ammunition, medical supplies, and food. On Wednesday 7 June 1916 Raynal was finally obliged to surrender to Leutnant Müller-Werner from Fusilier Regiment 39.) has ordered us to breach the Fortress Moat, here. We will then enter the fort and clear the corridors leading up to the Central Courtyard (Central Courtyard is a BF1 objective). From this position, we must clear out any remaining French resistance, pushing them out through the main entrance at the rear end of the fort. Prepare yourselves.
FORT DE VAUX - GERMAN EMPIRE - VICTORY
German Officer: Glorreichen tag! (Glorious day!) Fort Vaux is ours. The city of Verdun will soon be draped in German flags. The Kaiser (reference to Gewehr 98's The Kaiser skin) praises his brave sons!
FORT DE VAUX - FRENCH REPUBLIC - INTRODUCTION
French Soldier 1: (in French) Major Raynal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvain_Eug%C3%A8ne_Raynal historical fact on BF1 loading screen: "Major Sylvain-Eugene Raynal took command of Fort Vaux on the 24th of may 1916. His garrison set up makeshift defenses inside the fort and heroically defended the interiors.") has made sure we have barricaded as many entrypoints as possible — the Germans will have to work really hard to get in here.
French Soldier 3: (in French) I sing the "Marseillaise" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Marseillaise Battle of Verdun (1792): Despite the extensive fortifications, in the Battle of Verdun in 1792 the fortress was captured by the Prussians during the War of the First Coalition. In the Franco-Prussian War Verdun was the last French fortress to surrender in 1870.) to try to calm our nerves. Others tell stories of their grandfathers defending Verdun so successfully many years ago.
French Soldier 4: (in French) Raynal tells us he is now resorting to using homing pigeons (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Vaux reference to Bodeo 1889 Revolver's The Valiant skin. Raynal sent several messages by homing pigeon, including Le Vaillant, requesting relief for his soldiers. In his last message, Raynal wrote "This is my last pigeon".). A war of great machines and technology, and yet is has come to this.