How many artillery shells were fired in the Battle of Verdun?

French guns at Verdun fired over 10,000,000 rounds with the field artillery, over 1,000,000 medium-calibre rounds, and 600,000 large-calibre rounds.

What was significant for the French at Verdun 1916?

Battle of Verdun, (February 21–December 18, 1916), World War I engagement in which the French repulsed a major German offensive. It was one of the longest, bloodiest, and most-ferocious battles of the war; French casualties amounted to about 400,000, German ones to about 350,000. Some 300,000 were killed.

How many French soldiers fought in the Battle of Verdun?

By the end, casualties numbered to about 400,000 for the French and 350,000 for the Germans.

Did British soldiers fight at Verdun?

It was hoped that a swift British victory here would force the Germans to remove troops from the Verdun area. However, like the French, the British got involved in a battle that was to last months rather than days.

Was the Battle of Verdun a success?

Ultimately, the French resistance at Verdun proved a turning point, halting the German advance. The heavy German losses at Verdun combined with even greater casualties suffered on the Somme also created a manpower crisis within the German army that would become increasingly difficult to resolve as the war progressed.

Why did the French win the battle of Verdun?

It was originally planned by the German Chief of General Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn to secure victory for Germany on the Western Front. The aim was to crush the French army before the Allies grew in strength through the full deployment of British forces.

Why was Verdun so bad?

Badly treated and paid, the soldiers had had to endure nearly 10 months of hell. The Germans fired 2 million shells just in the opening 8 hour bombardment. Verdun was also the first time flamethrowers were used in battle, a shocking yet devastatingly effective new weapon.

Was trench warfare used in the Battle of Verdun?

The Battle of Verdun began on 21 February 1916 at 7.15 am when the German army began pounding the forts and trenches with artillery fire. Erich Von Falkenhayn, Commander-in-Chief of the German army, wanted to put an end to the trench warfare that had begun in the autumn of 1914 and get his troops moving again.

Why was Verdun so important?

Significance to France: Verdun was a fortress city on the River Meuse, and a strategically-vital link in the French sector of the Allied line on the Western Front. To the French people, Verdun was also a symbolic fortress and a national treasure. The loss of such a citadel would be an enormous blow to French morale.

Who was awarded the Medal of Verdun in 1916?

Country: France Created in late 1916 and even before the end of the battle, the Medal of Verdun was made for soldiers who, for several months under intense pressure from infantry attacks and heavy artillery pounding, held their ground during the WW1 Battle of Verdun.

What happened in the Battle of Verdun in 1916?

On June 1, 1916, the Germans launched a massive attack on Verdun, advancing to within 2 miles of the city’s cathedral. At this time, however, the British opened a battle for the Somme that would dominate the area. The German Army had given all that it had — and yet, their attack faltered.

What does a Verdun Medal look like?

The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender and a piece of 37 mm red ribbon that has blue-white-red edges. The original, and most commonly found, version was by Vernier but since supplies of this medal were inadequate, others created Verdun medals and at least seven versions of varying rarity are known.

Around 70% of all the French soldiers that were engaged in World War I participated to the battle of Verdun. Six or seven different designs were put forward for the medal but none were approved by the French Government and all remained unofficial awards that could not be worn on military uniform.