World War I ranks high among disasters to have afflicted mankind. Within World War I, the Battle of Verdun was the longest and most costly in life (Livesey 66). However, even with the loss of 542,000 men, the Battle of Verdun was the turning point for French forces. Verdun tested the national will of French forces and altered their military strategy for the remainder of the war. Although the Allies eventually defeated the German war machine, the Verdun area of France never fully recovered. Remnants of war visible today are reminders of the battle that took the lives of many fathers and sons. One cannot walk the grounds of Verdun without feeling the impact, even though it was more than 89 years ago.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.