Between February and December 1916, the longest battle of the First World War raged around the city of Verdun-sur-Meuse in northeast France. For many commentators, the savage and ferocious episode of bloodletting marked the beginning of a terrifying new age of modern warfare. The First World War’s most gruesome military confrontation became a potent symbol of the futility and madness of war. This gripping and disturbing documentary conveys all the horror and helplessness of Verdun.

The military inferno was unleashed in 21st February 1916 when the German Fifth Army, commanded by General Erich von Falkenhayn, attacked the bulge in the French front line at Verdun, known as the Verdun salient.

The German military high command hoped that the battle would be long, as this would give them the opportunity to inflict huge and debilitating casualties upon the French. The battle began with a 21 hour long artillery bombardment which extended all the way along the eight mile front. The French launched a desperate defence of the area, but the outer ring of French defences were soon destroyed and taken by the troops of the Crown Prince.

Responsibility for the defence of Verdun fell to General Henri Petain and the Second Army. Yet he was unable to prevent the capture of the stone and concrete fortress of Douaument. The fort was situated half way to the centre of the city, and was of enormous strategic importance. Over the coming months, it would be the focal point of an intense and protracted battle.

The French then launched a counter attack which checked the German advance, and the Crown Prince’s troops turned their attention to the west bank of the river Meuse, focusing their attack on Hill 295. The French defended it to the bitter end, but it fell on 29th May.

Throughout June, the French faced a relentless barrage of assaults. On 7th June Fort Vaux fell to the Germans. On 23rd June the Germans attacked the heights which commanded the Verdun and Meuse bridges. They were repulsed by exhausted and desperate French soldiers, and both sides lost thousands of men.

Exhaustion, coupled with increased demand for extra men for the Brusilov and Somme offensives, eventually halted the German advance. On 24th October the French managed to recapture Douamant and Vaux, The Germans gradually withdrew; by December the French had regained almost all the positions lost in February.

Verdun claimed around 800,000 lives – forty times the population of the city. The historian Norman Davies explains that Verdun has become an enduring symbol of the suffering and futility of war: "It is for the French memory what the Somme and Ypres were for the British and Caporetto for the Italians, or what Stalingrad would be for the Russians".

This documentary brings home the similar experiences of the French and German soldiers, vividly outlining their struggle for survival under unimaginable conditions. Through letters, diaries and private photos, it gives a face to the unknown soldier.