Deleted member 1487
I would like to create a discussion about the extent the Germans could advance if two things were to occur: there is not a 10 day period of blizzard right before the battle, which delayed the jump off and left German troops physically degraded while allowing the French to move up reserves AND Germany attacks along the West bank of the Meuse river from the beginning of the battle instead of in March when the fighting bogged down.
http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/verdun.htm
Originally scheduled to start on 12 February the offensive was postponed to 21 February on account of poor weather, preceded by a 21 hour preliminary bombardment.
So how far can the Germans advance and would it change the French defensive plan in this scenario? As far as I can tell, the French would have lost Mort Homme and Hill 304 very quickly if they attacked in February and ITTL I am assuming they add only one additional corps the West bank attacks, meaning they would have 2 corps total to advance toward Verdun from this direction.
What say you all? Can the Germans take Verdun or at very least the Souville-Tavannes-Vaux triangle for the defensive battle that Falkenhayn wished to fight?
http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/verdun.htm
Originally scheduled to start on 12 February the offensive was postponed to 21 February on account of poor weather, preceded by a 21 hour preliminary bombardment.
So how far can the Germans advance and would it change the French defensive plan in this scenario? As far as I can tell, the French would have lost Mort Homme and Hill 304 very quickly if they attacked in February and ITTL I am assuming they add only one additional corps the West bank attacks, meaning they would have 2 corps total to advance toward Verdun from this direction.
What say you all? Can the Germans take Verdun or at very least the Souville-Tavannes-Vaux triangle for the defensive battle that Falkenhayn wished to fight?