Verdun

The Battle of Verdun, fought from February 21 to December 18, 1916, during World War I, stands as one of the longest and most grueling battles in history. Situated on the Western Front in northeastern France, Verdun became a symbol of French resistance, with its fortifications playing a critical role in the defense.

The region’s fortifications, including key strongholds like Fort de Douaumont and Fort de Vaux, were part of an intricate defensive network developed in the 19th century. These forts were designed to shield France from German incursions following the Franco-Prussian War. At the onset of the battle, however, some of these structures were obsolete, inadequately manned and maintained due to shifting military doctrines that undervalued static defenses.

When German forces launched their massive offensive, Verdun’s forts became focal points of intense fighting. Fort de Douaumont, the largest and most formidable fort in the region, was initially captured by the Germans with minimal resistance due to its poor staffing. Its occupation provided the Germans with a stronghold and a propaganda victory, bolstering their strategic position.

The French, under the command of General Philippe Pétain, mounted fierce counteroffensives to reclaim lost ground, with Fort de Vaux witnessing some of the most brutal combat. French soldiers held out in its subterranean passages under relentless German assaults before being forced to surrender due to lack of water and supplies.

During the German offensive, Fort de Souville endured relentless artillery bombardments, including the use of poison gas. Despite these attacks, the fort and its defenders held firm, preventing German troops from breaking through to the city of Verdun. In July 1916, German forces launched a direct assault on Souville but were repelled by a combination of determined infantry resistance and French artillery support. The fort’s survival marked a turning point in the battle. By December 1916, the French had retaken much of the lost territory.

The Battle of Verdun resulted in staggering casualties on both sides, emblematic of the brutal attritional nature of World War I. Estimates indicate that total casualties—killed, wounded, and missing—reached approximately 700,000 to 976,000. Of this number, the French suffered around 377,000 casualties, while the Germans incurred roughly 337,000.