07:00hrs FebruaRy 21, 1916 Germany unleashes fire upon the French at the city of verdun, thus starting one of the longest battles in World War i.
SYNOPSIS
THE BATTLE OF VERDUN WAS FOUGHT ALONG THE REGION FORTIFEE DE VERDUN. IT BEGAN AS A WAY FOR THE GERMANS TO INCITE THE FRENCH WHO WOULD IN TURN BOW DOWN TO THEM. THE GERMANS WENT ALL IN WITH ONE PURPOSE, TOTAL DEFEAT OF THE FRENCH. THEY EVEN CHOSE THE LOCALE FOR THE BATTLE NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS ONE OF FRANCE'S MOST FORTIFIED CITIES, BUT ALSO BECAUSE IT HAD STRONG HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE TO PAST FRENCH VICTORIES. HOWEVER THE GERMANS DID NOT EXPECT THAT THE FRENCH WOULD FIGHT BACK AS HARD AS THEY DID, LEADING TO A MUTUAL STALEMATE BETWEEN THE TWO FORCES.
french casualties: 337,231 |
german casualties: 337,000 |
THE DISPOSITION OF THE FORCES IN THE END WAS THAT OF MODERN DAY POST TRAUMATIC DISORDER STRICKEN SOLDIERS. CONDITIONS WERE HORRIBLE AND MANY SOLDIERS FELL INTO PSYCHOSIS OF SHELL SHOCK OR DEPRESSION.
Image Reference: http://ourinsaneworld.warsforum.com/t90-battle-of-verdun-big-bertha-pix