Battle Of Verdun

Introduction

I intend to discuss the Battle of Verdun in a holistic context. The paper highlights the major happenings of the Battle of Verdun and discusses the various aspects of military strategy and outcomes that were associated with this battle. I also highlight the major role that was played by the forces of Germany as well as that of France in the shaping of this battle and point out the actual happenings of the Battle of Verrdun including the batlle plans, military strategy and casulaties.

Discussion

The Battle of Verdun was one of the longest and bloodiest battles in human history, taking place during World War I. The battle was between German and French forces and took place from February 21, 1916 to December 18, 1916. The location was around the city of Verdun-sur-Meuse in the northeastern part of France. By the end of the battle, more than 250,000 people died and more than a million people were wounded.

The German Chief of Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn, decided to attack the city of Verdun-sur-Meuse in order to force the French into a battle of attrition and wear down their army. Prior to the battle, the Germans had failed to make significant breakthroughs in the war, with trench warfare allowing little progress (Foley, pp 56 - 70). At the time, the city was surrounded by a number of forts and stood as an important stronghold for the French. For the Germans, it was also an obstacle in the path to Paris. Falkenhayn also realized that the Germans would have a slight advantage in terms of logistics, since the German railway was only twelve miles from the city (Jaques, pp 312 - 317). In a memo to the Kaiser, he said "The string in France has reached breaking point. A mass breakthrough—which in any case is beyond our means—is unnecessary. Within our reach there are objectives for the retention of which the French General Staff would be compelled to throw in every man they have. If they do so the forces of France will bleed to death. (Dupuy, Ernest & Trevor , pp 78 - 90)"

Although Verdun was surrounded by about sixty French forts, they were under-supplied since French General Joseph Joffre believed their utility in modern warfare was limited at best. In the early years of World War I, the forts had been stripped of about fifty artillery batteries and 128,000 rounds of ammunition, which were sent out as reinforcements along the French line. At the start of the battle, the forts only had a total of three hundred guns and little ammunition (Grant, pp 38 - 40).

The German Army intended to attack on February 12, 1916, but bad weather forced it to be delayed until the 21st of February. In the meantime, the French were able to reinforce their positions, ending up with 34 French battalions facing 72 German battalions (Jaques, pp 312 - 317). The Germans began the battle with a bombardment by 1200 guns on the French positions, firing over a ...