Battle Of Verdun Research Paper

The Battle of Verdun is probably among one of the greatest battles in history. As well as being one of the longest skirmishes, lasting nearly ten months. There has never been a battle before or after this that involved so many soldiers, in such a concentrated area. The battle of Verdun lasted from February 21, 1916 to December 19, 1916 with an estimated casualty count of around 700,000. There is no explanation for the shocking losses from both sides. This battle had boiled down to a matter of prestige of two countries truly just for the fighting…
The attack on Verdun, called ‘Judgement’ by the Germans, was Erich von Falkenhayn’s, the German Chief of General Staff, plan to make a great push on the French. Falkenhayn wanted to “bleed France white” by pulling a huge force to attack a narrow strip of land that was historically important to the French, Verdun. Verdun was not the only place in the area, within several miles there were twenty major forts and forty minor forts which also had historic value to the French. All of these forts had protected the eastern borders of France for many years. Erich’s thought that these places, being so important to the French, would not just be given up. So with this thought came the idea that the French will fight to the last man, which would lead to …show more content…
For the first time ever flame throwers were used in large quantities to aid the Germans in the eight mile advance needed to take Verdun. By February 25th 10,000 French soldiers had been taken prisoner by the Germans. At the time, the French fort of Douaumount was thought to be among the strongest and most powerful forts. Surprisingly enough for the Germans, it was manned by only 65 elderly gunners, which were no resistance to the large German force. This loss would deeply hurt the French people so to save moral it was kept unknown to the public for as long as possible and some papers even wrote that the French were doing well in the