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The Douaumont ossuary is a memorial to the French who died at Verdun.

World War One: 1914-18 - Battles Of 1916 On The Western Front - 1

Study the 1916 battles on the Western Front, including the Somme and Verdun, and discover why they became symbols of slaughter, stalemate and changing tactics.

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Fascinating Fact:

The Battle of the Somme started in July 1916 as a joint British and French offensive. It was partly intended to relieve pressure on the French at Verdun.

In GCSE History, the battles of 1916 on the Western Front highlight how massive offensives, such as the Somme and Verdun, aimed to break the deadlock through attrition and new tactics like the creeping barrage.

Key Terms

Battle of the Somme: A major 1916 Allied attack on the Western Front, remembered for high casualties and limited gains, as the Allies tried to wear down German forces.
Attrition: A strategy of gradually weakening the enemy by inflicting continuous losses in men and equipment rather than expecting a quick, decisive victory.
Creeping barrage: An artillery tactic where shells landed just ahead of advancing infantry, moving forward in stages to give soldiers some protection as they attacked.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What was the aim of the Battle of the Somme in 1916?

The Battle of the Somme was meant to break through German lines, support the hard-pressed French army, and wear down German strength through a long campaign of attrition.

How many casualties were there on the first day of the Somme?

On the first day of the Somme, the British army suffered around fifty-seven thousand casualties, with roughly nineteen thousand soldiers killed, making it one of its worst days in history.

Why are the 1916 Western Front battles important for GCSE History?

They are important because they show the scale of industrial warfare, the limits of offensive tactics, the development of new methods like tanks and barrages, and their impact on public opinion.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Why was Falkenhayn, the German commander, prepared to commit so many troops to attacking French positions at Verdun?

He believed that German successes on the Eastern Front would enable him to put more and more troops into the Verdun salient

He thought that the French were so determined to hold Verdun that they would pour their reserves into the area. Thus, he believed, France would be eventually "bled white"

He was certain that French forces would soon be withdrawn from the Verdun theatre, in order to assist a forthcoming British attack further to the West

He knew that French morale was fragile after the failures of 1914 and 1915, and that further lack of success was bound to lead to mutinies

Falkenhayn seemed obsessed with Verdun

2 .

After the war the French erected a huge memorial at Fort Douaumont to commemorate their dead at Verdun. What form did this memorial take?

A list of names of the missing dead like the British memorial on the Somme

A collection of bones belonging to unidentified victims

A chapel of remembrance

A collection of poppies

The casualties at Verdun shattered the French. They were determined to construct a memorial that honoured appropriately the many thousands of French troops who gave their lives at Verdun

3 .

Which member of the German royal family, the Hohenzollerns, commanded the German Fifth Army at Verdun?

The Crown Prince Wilhelm

Prince Georg of Hannover

Prince Ludwig of Hohenstaufen

Prince Karl of Wurttemberg

The royal prince had considerable military experience, and his appearance at Verdun was thought to be good for morale

4 .

In the early stages of the battle a new French commander was appointed, whose catchphrase was "Ils ne passeront pas". Who was this general?

Petain

Weygand

Gamelin

Mangin

Both sides were prone to changing commanders if success proved elusive for too long

5 .

Falkenhayn was relieved of his position as Chief of Staff by the Kaiser towards the end of the campaign. Who replaced him?

Mackensen

Ludendorff

Hindenburg

Moltke

The Kaiser also felt that a more aggressive approach was needed

6 .

The road from Verdun to Bar-le-Duc was a vital supply lifeline for the French. What name was it given, indicating its importance?

La Voie Sacree

Le Chemin Saint

La Route de l'Espoir

Le Sentier de la Delivrance

Rapid re-supply was crucial for both sides. The French relied on this road, which was never cut by the enemy - despite almost continuous bombardment designed to interdict it

7 .

Apart from Fort Douaumont, which major fortress was lost and then recovered by the French?

Fort Vaux

Fort Bonaparte

Fort Estcourt

Fort Huysmans

The Verdun area was delineated by a complex of fortresses, of which two were especially significant

8 .

What is the significance of the Battle of Verdun in world history?

It was the longest battle ever

It was fought within the smallest area of any battle

It was the first battle when tanks were deployed

It was the first battle to see the use of poison gas

Verdun is ingrained in the French collective memory, but ultimately the German attack was called off

9 .

A new French commander was appointed on the 1st of May 1916, as Joffre and the French cabinet favoured a more aggressive approach. Whom did they choose?

Leclerc

Maginot

Nivelle

Carpentras

Commanding French forces at Verdun was an impossible task. No strategy seemed to work, and the Germans were determined to keep up the pressure

10 .

Verdun was unusual among Great War battles in the comparative casualties on the two sides. What was odd about the comparable figures?

It was the only major campaign of the Great War in which the defenders suffered greater losses than the attackers

Large numbers of French troops surrendered, thus swelling the figures for captives, while few Germans became prisoners

There were large numbers of men classified as "missing" on the French side, of whom no trace was ever found. On the German side very few were given this classification

Far more German officers than French ones appeared in casualty lists

Verdun was a terrible killing machine. Survivors on both sides considered themselves "special"

Author: Edward Towne