1916 Griesedieck Manuscript Artwork of the German WWI Offensive at Verdun, France

This is c. 1919 manuscript artwork of the German offensive at Verdun by an artist known only as Griesedieck. The front between the French and the Germans appears as a giant chain, with Germans pouring across the front near Verdun. Very few French soldiers occupy their side of the front, suggesting a French inability to hold back the German onslaught. German artillery appears along the top of the piece, highlighting artillery's important role during the Battle of Verdun.

The Battle of Verdun

The Battle of Verdun took place from February 21 through December 18, 1916, a total of 9 months, 3 weeks, and 6 days. The German 5th Army launched the attack on the morning of February 21 with a 10-hour artillery barrage by 808 guns. The French halted the German advance at Fort Douaumont on February 25, which the Germans had captured only days before. Between February and October, French and German offensives and counteroffensives captured very little territory. Often, these offensives killed thousands or tens of thousands of soldiers and gained only hundreds of meters of territory at most.

The French launched the First Offensive Battle of Verdun on October 20 to recapture Fort Douaumont. The French successfully recaptured Fort Douaumont on October 24. Offensive operations ceased on November 5 when the French reached the line they had occupied on February 24, around 1.2 miles from where the offensive had started. On December 15, the French launched the Second Offensive Battle of Verdun. The French successfully reached their objectives: Vacherauville and Louvemont, two villages lost to the Germans in February. By the night of December 16-17, the French had captured all their objectives, consolidated a new battle line, and successfully pushed the Germans back between 1.2 and 1.9 miles from Douaumont. With that, the Battle of Verdun was over. Throughout the 299-day battle, casualties totaled as many as 750,000, including both French and German killed and wounded. However, historians still debate the exact number.

Publication History and Census

This piece was signed by the artist, known only as Griesedieck and created c. 1916. We have been unable to locate any published versions of the present work.