Battle of Verdun Begins

Germany launched Operation Gericht ('Judgment') against the French fortress city of Verdun, with General Erich von Falkenhayn's stated aim to 'bleed France white' by attacking a position France must defend at any cost. The opening bombardment—the most intense in history to that point—fired over a million shells in just 8 hours. Germany captured Fort Douaumont on Feb 25 but French resistance under General Pétain ('Ils ne passeront pas') stiffened, beginning the longest battle of the war.