In the week between June 8th-12th 1916, the Germans had the French at Verdun on the ropes. They had seized major forts and were coming close to conquering Verdun. On the right bank of the Meuse River, Robert Nivelle only had a brigade in the reserve as they defended Fort De Souville, one of the last forts between the Germans and Verdun.
However, the Germans could not press their attack because Erich Von Falkenhayen decided to send three divisions from Verdun to help the Austrians, whose Trantino offensive had collapsed. As a result, the offensive was halted.
The next week, the offensive was resumed, but Nivelle had repaired his defenses and replenished his reserves. This, and the lack of the divisions sent to help the Austrians, kept the French defense at Verdun alive.
But what if Falkenhayen did not send those divisions to help the Austrians and so the Germans were able to press their attack on Fort De Souville in the period between June 8th-12th? Could they have won the Battle of Verdun and if so, what would've been the consequences of a German victory at such a symbolic French location?
However, the Germans could not press their attack because Erich Von Falkenhayen decided to send three divisions from Verdun to help the Austrians, whose Trantino offensive had collapsed. As a result, the offensive was halted.
The next week, the offensive was resumed, but Nivelle had repaired his defenses and replenished his reserves. This, and the lack of the divisions sent to help the Austrians, kept the French defense at Verdun alive.
But what if Falkenhayen did not send those divisions to help the Austrians and so the Germans were able to press their attack on Fort De Souville in the period between June 8th-12th? Could they have won the Battle of Verdun and if so, what would've been the consequences of a German victory at such a symbolic French location?