Key Battles: The Somme and Verdun

The battles of Verdun and the Somme in 1916 were two of the largest and bloodiest battles in human history. Together, they exemplify the horrific cost of the war of attrition on the Western Front. This lesson covers the aims, course, and consequences of both battles, as well as the debate over whether they can be considered successes or failures.

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The Battle of Verdun (February–December 1916)

Background

The German commander, General Erich von Falkenhayn, devised a plan to "bleed France white" by attacking the fortress city of Verdun on the River Meuse. Verdun held enormous symbolic importance for France, and Falkenhayn calculated that France would commit every available soldier to defend it, resulting in catastrophic French casualties.

Key Facts