The French Counterblast of 24. October 1916

The goal of the French supreme command is to be repaired now the Forts of Verdun in their whole. After the damage, which caused the Germans in June and July to the French front, is eliminated, the appropriateness orders to carry the whole line in only one jump forward the ground gain to obtain.

For the execution of this operation, the Generals Nivelle and Mangin have strong artillery: 290 field guns and over 300 heavy cannons. 3 divisions are to attack.The Germans set 7 divisions to that against.

With 21 October already the artillery preparation uses, the day for day into details is regulated and supervised. In 23. a fire shows up in away the Douaumont. On the same day a simulated attack makes possible for the infantry to tighten new German batteries which are fired at immediately. To 24. at 11 o'clock bring the attack implemented with dense fog success. The Frenchmen penetrate into the quarries from Haudromont, into the fortress and into the Thiaumont-Ferme, into the Fort and the village Douaumont, to the northern edge of the Bois de Cailette, to the pond from Vaux, to the edge of the Fumin-Forest and to the battery Damloup. They take October on 24 and 25 over 6000 prisoners and capture 15 cannons. When they return on 02 November to Fort Vaux given up of the Germans, they are overall in their positions from 25 February.

The French offensive from 15 December 1916

Around the discharge east of Verdun the Maas to complete and the back-conquered Forts Vaux and Douaumont air create organizes general Mangin a new attack. The army before Verdun makes large preparations, builds approximately 30 km roads, under it one with planks occupied roadway for the artillery and more than 10 km narrow-gauge railway. It lifts storm and approximation ditches and puts on ammunition -, hand grenade and material stores. This whole work is accomplished frequently under artillery fires. Immediately after completion the attack troops, (4 divisions) go into position; 4 further remain in reserve. 10 km broad German front from Vacherauville to Bezonvaux primarily by 5 divisions one holds, while 4 divisions lie in reserve.

On 15 December, supported of an enormous artillery, the storm waves proceed. Several of the set goals, in particular Vacherauville and the two front lines in front of Louvemont, are occupied in some minutes in only one approach. The forests and ravines in front of Douaumont are more difficult to conquer, the Vauche forest with the bayonet are stormed and taken, while the Chambrettes-Ferme and Bezonvaux can be taken only in the next days.

Success is large: over 11.000 prisoners, among them 300 officers, 115 cannons, several hundred machine guns, important ammunition and quantities remain in the hands of the Frenchmen. The German troops, which were distant from Fort Souville in July few hundred meters, are now more than 5 km far away. On 18 December, they had lost areas, to whose production they had used 5 months

The French offensive from 20 August 1917

Through long months, the front of Verdun is again nearly completely quiet, the war raves at the Chemin the Dames, in Flanders and at the Isonzo. General Pétain decides to bring the enemy at the Verdun front to stagger.
The victory of the last December, which released Douaumont perfectly, had left the points of observation of the Cote de Talou to the Germans. Besides they possessed the excellent fastened positions of the height of 304 and the Mort Homme on the left bank. Deep tunnels served the troops as shelters and connected the positions. Since they observed the French preparations to this new offensive, they had increased the number of their batteries to almost 400. The German divisions were strengthened on the line Avocourt-Woevre on 9, further 5 layer in reserve.

On French side the area had been prepared since long months. In that wrecked combat area roads had been thoroughly considered put on, connections doubled, the supply possibilities. 2500 cannons of all calibres waited for their employment.

In the coming battle, the most important role had been assigned to the artillery. To 20.000 men infantry set an army corps 40,000 men artillery for 4 army corps participated in the offensive.
With 13 August an extremely regular artillery preparation begins, which is to destroy the German positions. On 20 August 8 divisions go to the storm forwards under the eyes of the officers of the recent American army, who pursue from different observation posts the battle.
The Mort Homme, the Cote de l Oie and the Cote Talou were taken , only the height of 304 offers still resistance.
Prisoners and material are extremely numerous. In the tunnels of the dead man over 1000 men crew are imprisoned taken. On the next day, Samogneux and Régneville are conquered. The height of 304 is taken on 24 August. In the recent offensive the Frenchmen made 9500 prisoners and to capture 39 cannons, 100 mine launchers and over 200 machine guns.

On the left bank the French line up to the Forges brook was forward brought. On the right bank the Germans try in vain and this nearly 2 months long to again-increase in strong counter attacks the lost area.

Thus the Germans in three battles from the whole area see themselves displaced, which they had occupied after the third day of the battle. It remains for them only what had represented the advanced position of the French defense in February 1916.