German War Practices_ (C.P.I.), parts I and II.




CHAPTER X

THE WAR IN 1916


"THEY SHALL NOT PASS!"--Early in 1916 the Germans began a furious
attack on the strong French position at Verdun. This point was a highly
important one for the French, because if it were captured by the enemy,
he could make flank attacks upon their adjoining lines and perhaps
compel a general retreat. The Germans had long been massing materials
and men for the greatest military offensive which the world had ever
seen. Twenty thousand men were placed on each mile of the front for a
distance of twenty-five miles, while hundreds of thousands more were
held in reserve. Thousands of guns of all sizes were brought up for the
attack. Under the command of the German crown prince, the German people
and the whole world were to be shown that the German army was still
invincible.

Beginning on February 21, the titanic struggle around Verdun continued
until July, when the attacks and counter-attacks were gradually
suspended. In the early attacks the French were driven in from advanced
positions, and then the Germans charged the heavily protected woodlands
and hills. In massed formation they advanced in the face of artillery,
machine-gun, and rifle fire of the heaviest character. The first waves
were mown down like grain; but other troops, and still others climbed