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BATTLE OF VERDUN :fire: (Significant Individuals :silhouettes: (Crown…
BATTLE OF VERDUN :fire:
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French Side 
Motivations/Aims
- To use all resources possible to defend Verdun and prevent Germans from taking it
- There was no military reason or strategic value for keeping Verdun it would have been much more effective and beneficial, for them to give it up
- However, it was entrenched in the French psyche, and had very significant symbolism (particularly the forts) for them
- Verdun had a mystic, even religious significance and for psychological reasons and importance, they were determined to defend it
French Strategy
- French pride did stop the quick and decisive victory the Germans imagined: Instead of breaking stalemate as Germans hope, Verdun epitomised it
- French planned to draw the attention of Verdun, through drawing German resources and attention up to the allied forces on the Somme (predominately British)
- In defending Verdun, French Commander Philippe Petain, organised a very effective defence, by constantly rotating French troops into Verdun for short periods of time, as well as organising an efficient line of supply (route used to deliver food, equipment, resources to soldiers during war)
German Side
Motivations/Aims
- To quickly and decisively break the stalemate, to ”bleed the French army white”
- They thought it would be a quick and effective way to break the stalemate
- German General Falkenhayn, believed that Britain and the Allies, where the principal enemy that needed to be defeated first: therefore decided the western front would be a priority
German Strategy
- Germans were aware that French would fight tooth and nail for Verdun: aware of the symbolism and significance Verdun was for the French, and planned to use this against them, as they predicted that the French would use all resources possible to defend it
- Not only was there symbolism and significance for Verdun itself, but, it was only 200km to the East of Paris, so the Germans stike on Verdun, has an even more effective psychological blow/impact, and deplete the French morale, as they were nearing the heart of their country
- Falkenhayndecided to launch an attack on the French Fortress of Verdun, as it was a salient (a part of the front line, that projects out into the enemy territory, so that it is easy to attack on three sides, making it an obvious choice for an enemy to attack) and this would allow them to systematically annihilate them with artillery fire
- Verdun was also selected to attack, as it threatened the main French communication lines
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