The Battle of Verdun The Battle of Verdun was the most important battle of World War 1 from February 21 to December 18, 1916. German and French Forces engaged in industrial warfare tactics and the use of heavy artillery through the initial attack and French counter-fire.
“The Battle of Verdun resulted in more than a quarter of a million deaths and approximately half a million wounded. Verdun was the longest battle and one of the bloodiest in World War I. In both France and Germany, it has come to represent the horrors of war, similar to the significance of the Battle of the Somme in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. (New World Encyclopedia, 2016).” We can track the peak of the battle to letters sent amongst the German Chief of Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn to Kaiser Wilhelm II. One of the things conveyed in the letters between both parties was the Eastern front of the war. The purpose for such a fight during this time was the gain that Verdun held for centuries. This also …show more content…
During and after the battle, the French soldiers had a saying that came to be known as "Ils ne passeront pas" ("They shall not pass") in France, uttered by Robert Nivelle, but often incorrectly attributed to Marshall Philippe Pétain (New World Encyclopedia, 2016). After the battle, when this was said, some hoped that the war would end but all hope was lost despite all tries at peace did not work. While picking the position to strike the French, the Germans knew that Verdun had downfalls with it location and had advantages as well. Falkenhayn picked Verdun with the reasons that Verdun was isolated on three sides with a hill opening on the fourth side. The communication’s for the French to reach the rear was poor. One of the biggest reasons for the Germans was the railroad that laid only 12 miles away from Verdun whereas the French could only get supply from a single
“The Battle of Verdun resulted in more than a quarter of a million deaths and approximately half a million wounded. Verdun was the longest battle and one of the bloodiest in World War I. In both France and Germany, it has come to represent the horrors of war, similar to the significance of the Battle of the Somme in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. (New World Encyclopedia, 2016).” We can track the peak of the battle to letters sent amongst the German Chief of Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn to Kaiser Wilhelm II. One of the things conveyed in the letters between both parties was the Eastern front of the war. The purpose for such a fight during this time was the gain that Verdun held for centuries. This also …show more content…
During and after the battle, the French soldiers had a saying that came to be known as "Ils ne passeront pas" ("They shall not pass") in France, uttered by Robert Nivelle, but often incorrectly attributed to Marshall Philippe Pétain (New World Encyclopedia, 2016). After the battle, when this was said, some hoped that the war would end but all hope was lost despite all tries at peace did not work. While picking the position to strike the French, the Germans knew that Verdun had downfalls with it location and had advantages as well. Falkenhayn picked Verdun with the reasons that Verdun was isolated on three sides with a hill opening on the fourth side. The communication’s for the French to reach the rear was poor. One of the biggest reasons for the Germans was the railroad that laid only 12 miles away from Verdun whereas the French could only get supply from a single