Who Won The Battle Of Verdun ?
The Battle of Verdun is believed to be one of the most expensive battles in the First World War that cost so many soldiers on both sides to lose their lives. The main aim of the Germans was to bleed the French white, as put by General Erich von Falkenhayn. Since the Germans did not succeed in their aim, it can be said that the French won the Battle of Verdun. However, that would be taking an extremely simplistic view on the battle. |
This battle was a war of attrition that was fought by the Germans as well as the French. The Germans believed that the war they were fighting could be won only in the west. Hence, Falkenhayn decided to attack the French. He assumed that he would win against the French and when this happened, the British would be left fighting on their own, and they would be able to hold out for too long.
The reason that Falkenhayn selected Verdun was because of its numerous forts that posed a threat to the German lines of communication. In addition, it was a historic region for the French and the Germans knew that the French would allot the maximum number of soldiers for its defense. Falkenhayn thought that when this happens, the Germans would be able to inflict high casualties.
When the Germans launched their attack on Verdun on February 21st, 1916, the French were not prepared for it. In the initial 4 days, the Germans met with hardly any resistance and they were able to occupy Fort Douaumont with ease. Then reinforcements arrived and General Petain managed to devise a strategy to slow down the German advance. However, the Germans nearly took over Verdun and while the French were getting ready to evacuate the east bank of Meuse, the British launched the Somme Offensive. This prevented the Germans from committing more troops to Verdun and led to the Germans calling off the attack.
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General Erich von Falkenhayn, the commander in chief of Germany, believed that the most important enemy of Germany was England. He was of the opinion that once France, England's most important ally, was defeated, England would collapse and this would help the Germans in winning the war at the Western Front. So, in order to defeat the French, Falkenhayn began looking for a place where the French would be more than willing to commit all the resources. He zeroed on to Verdun. 