Write an account of the Battle of Verdun.

Accounts may include the following:
- German commander Erich von Falkenhayn was coming under pressure to achieve a breakthrough.
- Falkenhayn believed that beating France in a decisive battle was impossible but believed it was possible to wear the enemy down (attrition).
- Verdun was targeted because it was an industrial town surrounded by a ring of fortresses and an important symbol to France.
- German forces in the region were reinforced and attacked on 21 February 1916.
- It started with an artillery bombardment for 9 hours using over 1000 guns. France responded by throwing in all of the reserves they had available to defend.
- The British campaign at the Somme forced Germany to withdraw some troops giving respite to the French forces.
- Neither side claimed victory, but Germany had failed and suffered 350000 casualties

Accept any other valid responses.