Battles

• When was the battle of Verdun?

  1916
• Who led the German soldiers at Verdun?

  Prince Wilhelm (the Kaisers son)
• Where did the French retreat to in Verdun?

  Three 17th century forts
• What phrase described what the Germans wanted to do at Verdun?

  ‘Bleeding the French White’
• What kind of war was Verdun?

  War of attrition - wearing your enemy down so that they surrender by forcing them to use up their men and resources
• What was the German aim with the battle of Verdun?

  To break the alliance between the French and the British
• What was the result of Verdun?

  -Town was left destroyed with other villages flattened

  -315,000 French soldiers died

  -280,000 German soldiers died
• What mistake did Petain make at Verdun?

  Petain was loading 6000 vehicle loads of ammunition into the town per day
• Why did Germany think France would surrender at Verdun?

  They believed the French would do anything to protect this town as it was historically significant to them
• When was the battle of the Somme?

  1916
• What were the casualties at the Somme?

  20,000 men killed

  37,000 men injured
• What did the British public realise with the Somme?

  The war would be longer and bloodier than expected
• Who was killed first at the Somme?

  Officers
• What was the aim of the Somme?

  To relieve pressure on the French at Verdun and to kill as many Germans as possible