The worst battle in history. [WWI]

>It is probably no exaggeration to call Verdun the ‘worst’ battle in history; even taking in account man’s subsequent endeavours in the Second World War. No battle has ever lasted quite so long; Stalingrad, from the moment of the German arrival on the Volga to [Paulus](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-B24575%2C_Friedrich_Paulus.jpg)’ surrender, had a duration of only five months, compared with Verdun’s ten. Though the Somme claimed more dead than Verdun, the proportion of casualties suffered to the numbers engaged was notably higher at Verdun than any other First [**World**] War battle; as indeed were the numbers of dead in relation to the area of the battlefield. >Verdun was the First War in microcosm; an intensification of all its horrors and glories, courage and futility. ________________________________________ **Source:** Horne, Alistair. “Aftermath.” *The Price of Glory: Verdun 1916*. New York: St. Martin's, 1963. 327. Print. ________________________________________ **Further Reading:** [Bataille de Verdun / Schlacht um Verdun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Verdun) [Battle of Stalingrad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stalingrad) [Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst Paulus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Paulus) [Bataille de la Somme / Schlacht an der Somme (Battle of the Somme) / Somme Offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Somme)