![]() ![]() The German artillery crews were instructed that “no enemy line is to remain un-bombarded,” and that “nowhere should the enemy feel safe.” The French were overwhelmed by the relentless onslaught. On February 21, 1916, more than 1,220 German guns around an eight-mile perimeter fired two million shells at the French in the opening eight-hour bombardment of the battle. His scheme to inflict a relentless slaughter on the enemy and win the war was called Operation Gericht-a term loosely translating as “judgment” or “place of execution.” He planned to lure the French army into a battle of attrition, expecting that his opponent “would be compelled to throw in every man they have.” Falkenhayn anticipated a kill-ratio of five French for every two Germans. Falkenhayn targeted Verdun because of its position on the Allied line and its sentimental value to the French people. In his estimation, this would then force the British to sue for peace. In a letter to Kaiser Wilhelm II in late 1915, Falkenhayn argued that the war would only be won by bleeding France to death and draining its will to fight. The British sector of the Western Front also did not lend itself to offensive operations. Out of reach across the Channel, this great foe could not be assaulted directly. When France recaptured Douaumont, the German forces recognised the end was nigh.German General Erich von Falkenhayn regarded the British as the most formidable of the Allied Powers in the Great War. Though they had some initial victories, the success was not maintained. The Battle of Verdun was a fierce attempt by the German forces to break through the Western Front. It also houses a military museum where visitors can see authentic armaments from both sides. The memorial remembers French and German soldiers as well as the civilians who lost their lives during the battle. It was constructed in the 1960s and has been open for the public to visit since 1967. The Verdun Memorial is situated on the battlefield not far from the site of Fleury-Devant-Douaumont, a village completely destroyed by the battle. It remains one of the most violent and bloody battles in world history and the losses had a significant impact on the trajectory of the whole of the First World War. Nearly 75% of the French army was involved in the Battle of Verdun, with colonial forces also playing their part. ![]() ![]() Historians have since argued the figures should be over 500,000 and Germany, of course, had significant losses too. Official records show that France lost 162,440 soldiers and a further 216,337 were wounded. Read more about: Sport Walter Tull: The Tottenham Hotspur trailblazer and WW1 hero This was a huge shock to the French forces and it took them many months to regroup and recapture the fort in October 1916. Despite France’s real belief in the strength of the fort, it fell to the Germans on 25th February, not long after the battle began. It was only built in 1913 and housed some of the most innovative technologies in warfare including several machine gun nests held within steel pillboxes. The significance of Fort Douaumontįort Douaumont was one of Verdun’s most prized buildings and its strongest form of defence. The humiliation during this war meant the French did all they could to defend the city and make sure it was fully protected against any attack. ![]() It was among the final to fall when France was defeated in 1870-1871 and the Franco-Prussian War. The history of the city shows it has changed hands and been a key point of battle on previous occasions. Verdun’s position as a fortress not only appealed to the Germans strategically, but it also had political importance. Read more about: WW1 The history of Remembrance Day ![]()
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