The problems posed by the German offensive in Verdun

The German offensive of 21 February 1916 in Verdun seriously disrupted the planning of the Battle of the Somme. Verdun was very costly in terms of personnel and equipment, especially artillery, and forced Joffre to reduce French participation. Very quickly, the attack front was shortened to 50 km, i.e. 35 for the British and 15 for the French, and all hope of breaking through the German lines was abandoned. Foch had to command the French attack and Sir Douglas Haig the British attack. In total, three British armies were engaged: the Third, Fourth and Fifth Armies with 26 divisions in the front line supported by more than 1,300 cannons. The French will engage only two armies, the 6th and the 10th with 14 divisions in first echelon supported by also approximately 1,300 heavy and light guns; let us note that one is far from the 39 divisions which had been envisaged at the origin. The German IInd army, with 8 divisions in line and 13 in reserve, occupied the terrain, a flat country and limestone soil in which it had dug deep defensive organizations that the shells would have great difficulty in destroying.