The Battle of Verdun was a major engagement between the armies of France and the German Empire.
The battle is noted due to its length (approximately ten months) and the high level of casualties on both sides.
Estimates for the cumulative number of casualties sustained by both sides varies from 700,000 – 1,000,000.
The German General, Erich von Falkenhayn, now doubted that the stalemate on the Western Front could be broken.
Von Falkenhayn believed that he could tip the balance in Germany’s favour if he could “bleed France white” at Verdun.
Verdun was selected as a target, in part, due to its significance in French history.
Von Falkenhayn believed that the French would not abandon Verdun in order to maintain morale and national pride, and that enough casualties could be inflicted on the French Army to force it to surrender.
The result of the battle was a marginal French victory, as it recovered most of the territories it had lost in the battle.
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News