Beginning of the German attack

On February 21, 1916, with a week's delay, Germany attacked at Verdun on the right bank of the Meuse in the area of Haumont, Herbebois and Bois des Caures (north of the map). On 26 February the Germans reached the Meuse on a line from Samogneux, Cumières, Côte de Talou and were just in front of Douaumont. The situation of the French army is difficult; it has not been beaten everywhere, but it has had to retreat everywhere, abandoning the so-called Woëvre plain east of the Meuse Heights. It is about to be thrown back on the left bank of the Meuse.