The Battle of Verdun

The Battle of Verdun was the longest battle in World War 1; it was also the primary reason for the British starting the Battle of the Somme in July 1916 in an effort to take German pressure off of the French at Verdun.

The Battle of Verdun started on February 21st 1916 and ended on December 16th in 1916. The decision to attack Verdun came from German Chief of General Staff, von Falkenhayn. He wanted to “bleed France white” by launching a massive German attack on a narrow stretch of land that had historic sentiment for the French – Verdun. The area around Verdun contained twenty major forts and forty smaller ones that had historically protected the eastern border of France. Falkenhayn believed that the French simply could not allow these forts to fall as it would then cause national humiliation which would have been too much for France. By fighting to the last man, Falkenhayn believed that the French would lose so many men that the battle would change the course of the war.

Then at 7:15 on February 21st 1916, 140,000 German troops started the attack. They were supported by 1,200 artillery guns that fired up to 2,500,000 shells at the Verdun region. For air control, the Germans had 168 planes in the air. Flame-throwers (for the first time) were also used.

Through out this battle the casualties were accumulating rapidly on both sides.  The French were certainly losing huge numbers of men, as were their German opposition. The loss of life and those wounded was huge at Verdun. It is probable that an accurate figure will never be known. It is said that the French lost over 360,000 and the Germans nearly 340,000.            

To relieve the pressure being felt by the French, the British launched the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. It was hoped that a swift British victory here would force the Germans to remove troops from the Verdun area. However, like the French, the British got involved in a battle that was to last months rather than days.

Then on December 16th in 1916 the battle came to an end, with the result being: the wounding of both armies.  No tactical or strategic advantage had been gained by either side.

Casualties of The battle of Verdun (approximate):

French losses: Over 360,000

German losses: 337,000 of which 100,000 dead or missing.

Total: 697,000