First world war E03,The Battle of Verdun

Introduction

The Battle of Verdun stands as one of the most brutal and symbolic conflicts of the First World War. Fought between Germany and France from February to December 1916, this battle became the longest engagement of the war, lasting 302 days. Verdun was not just a military confrontation; it was a test of endurance, national pride, and human survival. Germany’s attempt to break French resistance ultimately failed, but the human cost was staggering.

Background: Germany’s Strategy to End the War

By late 1915, the Central Powers—Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire—dominated the Eastern Front. Italy had joined the war against them but was quickly neutralized by Austria. On the Western Front, trench warfare had resulted in a stalemate.

German Chief of Staff Erich von Falkenhayn believed Britain was weakening and that France was its last strong ally. He proposed a decisive attack on France that would “bleed the French army white” and force Britain to surrender. Kaiser Wilhelm II approved the plan, and command was symbolically given to Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm. The chosen battlefield was Verdun.

Why Verdun Was So Important

Verdun was located about 261 kilometers east of Paris and held deep symbolic value for France. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, Verdun had resisted German capture longer than most cities, becoming a symbol of French resistance.

Militarily, Verdun was protected by 30 forts, including the key strongholds of Douaumont, Vaux, and Souville, positioned along the Meuse River. However, French commanders believed the city was secure and removed heavy artillery and troops from several forts—an error that would prove costly. Additionally, Verdun had only one major supply route, a narrow road from Bar-le-Duc.

Operation Gericht: The German Assault Begins

The German attack, codenamed Operation Gericht (“Judgment”), began on February 21, 1916. At 7:15 a.m., over 1,200 German artillery guns unleashed a massive bombardment across a 20-kilometer front. The shelling lasted nearly ten hours, with explosions heard up to 160 kilometers away.

German infantry followed, advancing nearly four kilometers on the first day. Within days, they captured Fort Douaumont, the strongest French fort, which was defended by only 57 soldiers and surrendered without resistance. The fall of Douaumont shocked France and boosted German morale.

General Pétain and the ‘Sacred Way’

France responded by appointing General Philippe Pétain to command the defense of Verdun. He immediately stabilized the situation. French forces on the western bank of the Meuse River began bombarding German positions, halting further German advances.

Pétain transformed Verdun’s only supply route into a lifeline. Thousands of trucks transported soldiers, ammunition, and food nonstop along the road from Bar-le-Duc. This route became known as “The Sacred Way”, a symbol of French resilience. Pétain famously declared, “They shall not pass,” a phrase that became the rallying cry of the French army.

Fighting for the Hills and Forts

Unable to advance further east, the Germans turned their focus to the western bank, targeting Dead Man’s Hill and Hill 304. These seemingly small elevations became scenes of relentless combat. Both sides launched repeated attacks, suffering enormous casualties for minimal gains.

Later, the Germans captured Fort Vaux after using poison gas and cutting off water supplies, forcing the defenders to surrender. Their final objective was Fort Souville, just five kilometers from Verdun. If Souville fell, the city itself would be exposed.

Poison Gas and Failed German Advances

In June 1916, Germany launched gas attacks using over 100,000 shells filled with poison gas. However, French troops were equipped with gas masks, limiting the effectiveness of the attack. Despite repeated assaults in July, the Germans failed to capture Fort Souville.

Concerned about collapsing morale, France urged its allies to open new fronts. Russia launched the Brusilov Offensive, devastating Austria-Hungary, while Britain and France opened the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. Germany was forced to withdraw troops from Verdun, weakening its position.

French Counteroffensive and End of the Battle

With German strength reduced, the French launched a major counteroffensive between October and December 1916. They recaptured Forts Douaumont and Vaux and pushed German forces back to their original positions. On December 18, German commander Hindenburg officially called off the battle.

Casualties and Legacy of Verdun

The Battle of Verdun resulted in catastrophic losses. France suffered approximately 478,000 casualties, while Germany lost around 329,000 troops. Between 40 and 60 million artillery shells were fired, with artillery accounting for 70% of casualties. Around 150,000 bodies remained unidentified.

Entire villages near Verdun were destroyed and never rebuilt due to unexploded shells still buried underground. Memorials, cemeteries, and ossuaries now stand as reminders of the immense human cost.

Conclusion

Though France claimed victory at Verdun, it came at an unimaginable price. The battle shattered Germany’s hopes of ending World War I quickly and became a grim symbol of industrialized warfare. Verdun remains a powerful reminder of courage, sacrifice, and the devastating consequences of modern war.