The Battle of Verdun popularised the phrase "Ils ne passeront pas" ("") in France, uttered by , but often incorrectly attributed to .
Verdun guarded the northern entrance to the plains of and thus the approach to the French capital city of .
In 1914, Verdun held fast against German invasion, and the city's fortifications withstood even 's artillery attacks. The French garrison was housed in the citadel built by in the 17th century. By the end of the 19th century, an underground complex had been built which served as a workshop, munitions dump, hospital, and quarters for the French troops.
After the Germans failed to achieve a quick victory in 1914, the war of movement soon bogged down into a stalemate on the Western Front. developed and neither side could achieve a successful breakthrough.
The Germans use the (known to the Germans as "Green Cross Gas" because of the distinctive markings on the shells containing it) for the first time in a War against the French.
The opening of the on , forced the Germans to withdraw some of their artillery from Verdun to counter the combined Anglo-French offensive to the north. The battle of the Somme was launched by the allies to try to take some of the pressure off of the French at Verdun.
At any one time, there were 24 French divisions fighting at Verdun. French losses are estimated at 161,000 dead, 101,000 missing and 216,000 men wounded. German losses are estimated 142,000 killed and 187,000 wounded.
Perhaps even more than the , Verdun symbolizes the sheer waste of World War 1.
The Battle of Verdun—also known as the 'Mincing Machine of Verdun' or 'Meuse Mill'—became a symbol of French determination, inspired by the sacrifice of the defenders.
The successes of the fixed fortification system led to the adoption of the as the preferred method of defense along the Franco-German border during the inter-war years.
