The initial objectives were the Meuse Heights, on a line from Froide Terre to Fort Souville and Fort Tavannes, which would provide a secure defensive position from which to repel French counter-attacks.
Wiki verdun battle series#
Great emphasis was placed on limiting German infantry casualties, by sending them to follow up destructive bombardments by the artillery, which was to carry the burden of the offensive in a series of large "attacks with limited objectives", to maintain a relentless pressure on the French. Wherever possible, the French advanced trenches were to be occupied and the second position reconnoitred, for the artillery fire on the second day. At 5:00 p.m., the infantry in areas A to C would advance in open order, supported by grenade and flame-thrower detachments. The preliminary artillery bombardment was to begin in the morning of 12 February. The 5th Army divided the attack front into areas, A occupied by the VII Reserve Corps, B by the XVIII Corps, C by the III Corps and D on the Woëvre plain by the XV Corps. The German artillery could fire into the Verdun salient from three directions, yet remain dispersed. A total of 1,201 guns were massed on the Verdun front, two thirds of which were heavy and super-heavy artillery, which had been obtained by stripping the modern German artillery from the rest of the Western Front and substituting it with older types and captured Russian guns. A redeployment plan for the artillery was devised, for field guns and mobile heavy artillery to be moved forward, under the covering fire of mortars and the super-heavy artillery. Repair shops were made near the front to reduce delays in maintenance and factories were made ready to refurbish artillery. They had used artillery rounds to keep away the French at their position.
German forces prepared for a heavy and successful offensive at Verdun. Pétain ordered 20 divisions to Verdun and ordered to defend it at all costs without retreat. German offensive on Fort Douaumont proved to be an initial success until the French slowed their offensives with reinforcements.
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