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Questions Sheet for Battle of Verdun and Shell Shock

The answers to these questions will not necessarily be in the order the
questions appear on this sheet as some will be answered throughout
the course of the videos.

1. On what date did the Battle of Verdun begin? Who were the two
major players in the battle? What were the names of the
commanding Generals for both sides?

2. What was the style and strategy of warfare utilized by both

sides?

3. Why do you think the Germans bombed Verdun so heavily? What

are the psychological effects on a population of being put under
such constant suffering?

4. What was Falkenhayns main strategy for defeating the French?

Do you think this was a smart strategy? Why or why not?

5. Why was Verdun chosen as the site of Battle? What was the
history of the city between the French and German Nations?

6. How long did it roughly take for Fort Douaumont to be built and
what was the cost?

7. What was the German codename for the ensuing battle? (Do
your best with the spelling) What does that translate to in
English?

8. Who were the first group of people to pick up an indication of a

German invasion at Verdun? What does this tell us about the
nature of intelligence gathering and combat surveillance during
much of World War 1?

9. What caused the German invasion to be postponed and how

many times was it postponed? Do you think this constant
postponement helped the French and hurt the Germans? Why or
why not?

10.
What did the German term for the constant barrage of
Artillery they rained down upon the French trenches translate to
into English?

11.
Why did Lt. Colonel Driants last stand inspire what was
seen by the Germans as a lackluster French force across the 19
mile Verdun battlefield?

12.
What was the role of Little Willy in the German army and
who was his father?

13.
Why did the French army stop believing in the usefulness
of forts such as Douaumont and others? What did the French do
to make them weaker? On the eve of the German offensive on
the fort how many soldiers were stationed there and what type of
troops were they?

14.
How did the Germans initially enter the fort and why do
you think they did this instead of launching a frontal assault on
what seemed like a vacant fort?

15.
What was the initial reaction in Germany following the forts
capture? Was this celebration premature? What did this victory
do to the morale of the German army?

16.
What tactical error did the Germans make in their invasion
and how did Ptain exploit this error?

17.
After 6 weeks of fighting around Verdun, how had the tide
of battle turned?

18.
What was the one equipment advantage the Germans at
Verdun had over the French? Why was this an advantage and
how important was it?

19.
What was the main supply road to Verdun named? What
does it translate to in English? What advantage did this road
provide the French with?

20.
Why did the Germans so greatly fear Englands entry into
the war in 1914?

21.
How did the proliferation of the Battle of Verdun effect
Frances military operations in other areas of combat operations
on the Western Front? What other significant battle began midway through the Verdun battle and how well did the French
support their allies?

22.
At Fort Vaux, what started to become the more deadly
enemy for the French garrison there other than the German
troops? What measures did the French forces take to survive?

23.
How did the French forces at Vaux communicate with the
rear command in Verdun as they were being besieged? What was
one of these awarded following dying trying to complete its
mission?

24.
Following his surrender, what happened to Raynal and who
did he meet and what did that person present him with?

25.
What is the big conflict brewing amongst the high
command of the German army and how does this effect the
plans for battle?

26.
As the Battle drags on into August of 1916, what happens
to General Falkenhayn and who comes in to take his place?

27.
In what month do the Germans finally surrender? How
many casualties are suffered by both sides during this battle?

28.
Do you agree with the narrator that the Battle of Verdun
was indeed Frances finest hour? Why or why not?

29.
After viewing this video on Verdun and the two videos on
shell shock, what do you think the average soldiers experience
was like and what do they tell us about medical treatments at
the time for soldiers suffering from this debilitating condition?