The Battle of Verdun is one of the most iconic battles of the First World War--and the longest at 301 days. Fought between the German Empire and the French Republic from 21 February to 18 December of 1916, the battle was a spectacle of the war's brutality and devastation. At the center of the Battle of Verdun was the fortified region of Verdun-sur-Meuse, which was a strategically important area because of its excellent defensive position and its good observation for artillery fire. The German Empire launched an attack on the French Second Army, which was stationed on the east bank of the Meuse. The Germans hoped to capture the Meuse Heights and lure the French strategic reserve into battle, in order to inflict catastrophic losses on the French at little cost to their own infantry. However, the battle was delayed for several days by poor weather, giving the French time to organize a more extensive defense.

The battle began on 21 February 1916, with the Germans capturing Fort Douaumont in the first three days of fighting. Although the Germans were initially successful, their advance slowed over the next week and a half. French troops began to arrive at Verdun, bolstering the defensive position of the French. By 6 March, over 20 French divisions were in the region, and a more extensive defence was organised in depth. Despite this, French General Philippe Pétain ordered there to be no retreat, and German attacks were to be counter-attacked regardless of the exposure of the French infantry to German artillery. By 29 March French guns on the west bank of the Meuse had begun a constant bombardment of the Germans on the east bank, causing many infantry casualties.

In early May, the Germans altered their tactics and began making local attacks and counter-attacks. The French were able to recapture part of Fort Douaumont, but the Germans quickly drove them out and took many prisoners. In June, the Germans captured Fort Vaux, which was a significant victory for them. From June to August, the Germans made numerous attacks on Fleury-devant-Douaumont and Fort Souville, driving a salient into the French defenses. Fleury was captured, and the Germans came within 2.5 miles of the Verdun citadel. However, in July, the offensive was cut back to provide troops, artillery, and ammunition for the Battle of the Somme, leading to a similar transfer of the French Tenth Army to the Somme front. From 23 June to 17 August, Fleury changed hands sixteen times, and a German attack on Fort Souville failed. The offensive was reduced even further, but to keep French troops away from the Somme, ruses were used to disguise the change.

In September and December, French counter-offensives recaptured much ground on the east bank and recovered Fort Douaumont and Fort Vaux. The Battle of Verdun was the longest battle of the First World War, lasting for a staggering 303 days. The losses incurred by both the Germans and the French were devastating, with an estimated 976,000 casualties in 1916 alone. In the end, the French recaptured much of the ground they had lost and regained control of Fort Douaumont and Fort Vaux. The battle came to symbolize the determination of the French Army and the destructiveness of the war.

Top photo: Verdun, France, on the Western Front. April-June, 1916. French soldiers crawling through their own barbed wire entanglements as they begin an attack on enemy trenches. Source: War History Network license.

Middle photo: Verdun, France, on the Western Front, 1916. French officers working on their maps and reports in a heated dugout near Verdun on the Western Front. Source: War History Network license.

Bottom photo: Verdun, France, on the Western Front, 1916.  One of the subsurface chambers in fortified Verdun was used as a hospital. The little dog in the foreground refused to be separated from his wounded master. Source: War History Network license.

The BBC writes that "It is thought each side lost around 350,000 soldiers." (BBC, 2016) If that number is even close to being accurate, that is a staggering 700,000 total killed at Verdun.

The commanders and leaders for Germany included Erich von Falkenhayn, Paul von Hindenburg, Erich Ludendorff, Crown Prince Wilhelm, Konstantin Schmidt von Knobelsdorf, Ewald von Lochow, Max von Gallwitz, and Georg von der Marwitz. The French were led by Joseph Joffre, Noel de Castelnau, Fernand de Langle de Cary, Frederic-Georges Herr, Philippe Petain, Robert Nivelle, Adolphe Guillaumat, Auguste Hirschauer, and Charles Mangin.

Erich von Falkenhayn, the Chief of the German General Staff, was the mastermind behind the strategy for the German attack on Verdun. He aimed to exhaust the French army by forcing them to defend the strategically unimportant but symbolically crucial city of Verdun. Falkenhayn believed that the French would pour their resources into the defense of the city, thereby weakening their forces on other fronts and eventually leading to their defeat. Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff were the leaders who implemented Falkenhayn's strategy on the battlefield. Ludendorff and Hindenburg were known as a dynamic duo, with Hindenburg taking charge of the overall operations while Ludendorff executed the detailed tactics. Their leadership was characterized by their ability to use new technologies and tactics, such as massed artillery fire and the infiltration tactics that saw small groups of soldiers move quickly and quietly through no man's land.

Konstantin Schmidt von Knobelsdorf was the Chief of Staff of the German Fifth Army, which was responsible for the primary attack on the city of Verdun. Knobelsdorf was known for his attention to detail and his ability to coordinate troops effectively. His strategic planning was responsible for the initial gains by the German troops in the early stage of the battle. Georg von der Marwitz played a vital role in the German defense of Fort Douaumont, which was a key strategic target for both sides throughout the battle. Von der Marwitz was known for his tactical brilliance and his ability to inspire his troops to continue fighting even in the most challenging circumstances.

Joseph Joffre was the Chief of the French General Staff at the start of the Battle of Verdun. Joffre's first priority was to halt the German advance, which he achieved by diverting much-needed resources from other fronts to defend Verdun. Joffre was also responsible for launching the French counter-offensive in October 1916, which helped to turn the tide of the battle. Noel de Castelnau was the commander of the French Second Army, which was responsible for the defense of the Verdun sector. Castelnau was known for his calm and methodical approach, and his ability to keep his troops fighting even under intense bombardment. Philippe Pétain was a commander of the French Sixth Army, which was responsible for the defense of the eastern front of the Verdun sector. Pétain was known for his defensive tactics, which involved conserving resources and using them strategically to hold off the German advance.

Robert Nivelle replaced Joffre as the commander-in-chief of the French army on December 13, 1916. Nivelle was responsible for launching the successful French counter-offensive in 1917, which helped to turn the tide of the war in favor of the Allies. Nivelle's leadership was characterized by his innovative use of tactics and his ability to coordinate troops effectively. Adolphe Guillaumat was one of the senior commanders in the French army, and he played a key role in the French counter-offensive of 1917. Guillaumat was known for his fearlessness and his ability to inspire his troops to achieve great feats of courage and bravery.

Bibliography

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"Verdun, 1916." World War I Centenary | Continuations and Beginnings. Accessed December 10, 2023. https://ww1centenary.oucs.ox.ac.uk/space-into-place/verdun-1916/.