2. Battle of Verdun Single longest battle of WWI
February to December 1916
Germany’s goal: “bleed France white”
City of Verdun had many important forts that the French would defend to the death

3. Both the French and Germans suffered huge losses
Germany: 340,000
France: 360,000
It was a war of attrition  wearing down the enemy until they can no longer fight

7. Battle of the Somme July – November 1916
An attack by the British against the Germans to take the pressure off of France (Verdun was going on at the same time)
Enormous casualty rates:
British: 420,000
French: 200,000
Germans: 500,000