However, Falkenhayn went on to explain that the Allies then produced a number of batteries of artillery behind Marre ridge, which had a big impact on German troop numbers and “had to be stopped”. The situation might have changed, however, had we not brought up our artillery, which had been unable to follow fast enough over the still barely passable roads, and assured the supply of ammunition and food." They were repulsed everywhere with very heavy loss to the enemy. Violent - one may say desperate counter-attacks by troops collected in extreme haste from all parts of the front had begun. However, the Headquarters Staffs of the Army Groups considered it necessary to stay the forward movement against the Heights. "From many signs it was clear that this powerful German thrust had not only shaken the whole enemy front in the West very severely, but that its effects had not been lost on the peoples and the Governments of the Entente. Four days later, the 24th Brandenburg Infantry Regiment attacked For Douaumont and the Germans also saw success in the One valley up to Metz-Verdun road, and the infantry moved forward to the Heights of the Meuse. The successful infantry attack too place the following day and “overrun” the Allied lines. As such, the bombardment took place from 21st February. On the day when the attack was supposed to take place, continuous rain meant it was very difficult for troops to move and artillery fire was impossible. It would almost seem as if the questions of command and supply in these attacks were insoluble." But we must not overlook the fact that previous experience of mass attacks in this war offers little inducement to imitate them. "Our precise problem is how to inflict heavy damage on the enemy at critical points at relatively small cost to ourselves. When the Third Army inquired whether it was still to undertake a big attack on its sector, it was informed accordingly, and the following remarks were added in explanation of the plans to be followed in the Meuse sector: There were some German losses as a result of these smaller battles, but Falkenhayn stated that these were justified in order to mask the German plans for Verdun. Everywhere the appointed objectives were reached, and the enemy suffered heavy losses. Gaede's Army Detachment pushed forward into the French lines near Obersept on the 13th of February. The Sixth Army struck on the 26th of January at Neuville, on the 8th of February to the west of Vimy, and on the 21st of February east of Souchez. ![]() On the 28th and 29th of January the Second Army had a fine success at Frise, south of the Somme. Marie a Py, and on the 13th of the same month at Tahure. On the 9th of January the Third Army attacked at Maisons de Champagne, on the 12th of February at Ste. "In this they acquitted themselves in exemplary fashion. In his article, Falkenhayn argued that all demands for labour equipment and ammunition were met ahead of the battle, and a number of smaller armies were given the task of keeping the enemy busy while they prepared. However, the Germans also suffered serious losses. Verdun was one of the most costly battles in World War One in terms of lives lost, with many historians arguing that it ‘bled the French Army to death’. Once the war was over, he defended what he had done by writing an article to explain his decisions. ![]() Erich von Falkenhayn was strongly criticised for his tactics at the Battle of Verdun.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |