The Battle of Verdun

What happened

The German chief of staff Erich von Falkenhayn launched a massive offensive against the French fortress city of Verdun, intending to 'bleed France white' in a battle of attrition. Over ten months the fighting killed or wounded hundreds of thousands on each side; the French held, and the German plan failed.

Why it matters

The longest battle of the war, Verdun became a symbol of French endurance and of the terrible, indecisive attrition of the Western Front.

Sources

• Imperial War Museums. What was the Battle of Verdun? · Reputable source