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21 February in military history: Battle of Verdun begins, 1916

Military history · 21 February · World War IFull calendar

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Early color view of French soldiers in greatcoats and caps around a covered army wagon and tarpaulin shelter at a bivouac at Lempire near Verdun, February 1916, a small dog at their feet and bare fields and woods beyond
French soldiers at a bivouac at Lempire near Verdun on 28 February 1916, a week into the battle, during the marches that brought reinforcements to Verdun. Autochrome by Stéphane Passet. CC0. Stéphane Passet, 28 February 1916, Archives of the Planet, Musée départemental Albert-Kahn.
Quick answer

On 21 February 1916 the German Fifth Army opened its offensive against the French fortified region of Verdun, on the Meuse in northeastern France, with a bombardment that began at 7:15 in the morning. Four days later the Germans took Fort Douaumont without a fight. The battle lasted until 18 December 1916, and Verdun never fell.

The Battle of Verdun, 1916: they shall not pass

21 February to 18 December 1916 · 110 years ago

France won the Battle of Verdun, fought from February to December 1916, by refusing to break under a German offensive designed to bleed the French army white.

Read the full story of The Battle of Verdun, 1916: they shall not pass ›

Battle of Gujrat, 1849: the battle of the guns that ended the Sikh Wars

21 February 1849 · 177 years ago

East India Company forces fought a Sikh army rebelling against British control of the Sikh state at Gujrat, in the Punjab, in the Second Anglo-Sikh War. The Sikhs were beaten and soon surrendered, after which the Punjab was annexed and the boy Maharaja Duleep Singh deposed.

Read the full story of Battle of Gujrat, 1849: the battle of the guns that ended the Sikh Wars ›

Frequently asked questions

What happened on 21 February 1916?

The German Fifth Army opened its offensive against Verdun with a bombardment that began at 7:15 in the morning, followed by infantry attacks on the French positions north of the city.

Why did the Germans attack Verdun?

Erich von Falkenhayn later wrote that he wanted to bleed the French army white. Historians still argue whether that was his real aim or whether he hoped to take the city, break through or force France toward peace.

When did Fort Douaumont fall?

On 25 February 1916, four days into the battle, without a fight. The French retook it on 24 October 1916.

How many men died at Verdun?

The figures are disputed. The Mémorial de Verdun counts about 163,000 French and 143,000 German dead, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces some 300,000 dead in all, and the German Historical Museum about 250,000 on each side.

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