Verdun 1916 - William Martin

Verdun --- a name which will forever be symbolic of the futile bloodletting of World War One --- was the costliest battle between the French and Germans in the War On 21 February 1916 German General Erich von Falkenhayn unleashed his hammer-blow offensive against the French fortress city of Verdun. His aim was nothing short of the destruction of the French army. Falkenhayn was sure that the symbolic value of Verdun was such that the French would be 'compelled to throw in every man they have.' He was equally sure that 'if they do so the forces of France will bleed to death'. The massed batteries of German guns would smash the French troops in their trenches and bunkers. But the French hung on with immense courage and determination and the battle became a bloody war of attrition. This title describes the destructive events of this pivotal First World War battle.

Verdun --- a name which will forever be symbolic of the futile bloodletting of World War One --- was the costliest battle between the French and Germans in the War On 21 February 1916 German General Erich von Falkenhayn unleashed his hammer-blow offensive against the French fortress city of Verdun. His aim was nothing short of the destruction of the French army. Falkenhayn was sure that the symbolic value of Verdun was such that the French would be 'compelled to throw in every man they have.' He was equally sure that 'if they do so the forces of France will bleed to death'. The massed batteries of German guns would smash the French troops in their trenches and bunkers. But the French hung on with immense courage and determination and the battle became a bloody war of attrition. This title describes the destructive events of this pivotal First World War battle.

Verdun --- a name which will forever be symbolic of the futile bloodletting of World War One --- was the costliest battle between the French and Germans in the War.
On 21 February 1916 German General Erich von Falkenhayn unleashed his hammer-blow offensive against the French fortress city of Verdun. His aim was nothing short of the destruction of the French army by bleeding it dry.
Falkenhayn was sure that the symbolic value of Verdun was such that the French would be 'compelled to throw in every man they have.' The massed batteries of German guns would smash the French troops in their trenches and bunkers. But the French hung on with immense courage and determination and the battle became a bloody war of attrition. This title describes the destructive events of this pivotal First World War battle. Some 300,000 Frenchman died at Verdun, but they stopped the German invasion.

WILLIAM MARTIN served in Naval Intelligence for many years. A regular contributor to a number of military and current affairs journals, he is now writing a new biography of Marshal Petain.