Primary Source Document

Erich Ludendorff on the Battle of Verdun

Verdun from the viewpoint of general strategy was well chosen as the place for our attack; for Verdun was a particularly threatening starting-point for a French counterassault.  It very seriously threatened our main line of railroad communication with Germany.
This was disastrously proved by the attack launched from there in the fall of 1918.  Had we been able to drive the French wholly from the east bank of the Meuse, our victory would have been complete, as this would have materially strengthened our position along the whole western front.
The first days of the Verdun assault were very successful, made so by the brilliant qualities of our men.  The advantage, however, was insufficiently exploited and our advance soon came to a standstill.
At the beginning of March the world was still under the impression that the Germans had won a victory at Verdun...
Verdun had exacted a very great price in blood.
The position of our attacking troops grew more and more unfavourable.  The more ground they gained, the deeper they plunged into the wilderness of shell-holes, and apart from actual losses in action, they suffered heavy wastage merely through having to stay in such a spot, not to mention the difficulty of getting up supplies over a wide, desolate area.
The French enjoyed a great advantage here, as the proximity of the fortress gave them a certain amount of support.
Our attacks dragged on, sapping our strength.  The very men who had first fought so heroically at Verdun were now terrified of this shell-ravaged region.
The command had not their hearts in their work.  The Crown Prince had very early declared himself in favour of breaking off the attack.  That offensive should have been broken off immediately it assumed the character of a battle of attrition.
The gain no longer justified the losses.
Source: Source Records of the Great War, Vol. IV, ed. Charles F. Horne, National Alumni 1923



In this document, Erich Lundendorff explains in detail the order and method regarding the battle of verdun.