Battle of Verdun

February 21 – December 18, 1916 · Western Front Theater

Phases

1. 1Phase 1 — German BreakthroughFebruary 21–24, 1916
2. 2Phase 2 — Attrition (Summer 1916)March–August 1916
3. 3Phase 3 — French CounteroffensiveOctober–December 1916

February 21–24, 1916

Germany launches the largest artillery bombardment in history — 1,220 guns firing over 1 million shells in 8 hours. German infantry advances behind a creeping barrage and captures Fort Douaumont (the largest fort in France) almost without a fight, finding it nearly unguarded. French General Petain takes command and begins rotating fresh divisions through to avoid exhaustion.

• ●German advance zone — initial breakthrough
• ➤German artillery advance — 1,220 guns
• ●Fort Douaumont — captured Feb 25, nearly unguarded
• ●Verdun city — the strategic objective