1916 is a two player game in which
both players command historic combat divisions in an attempt to outlast
their opponent during the 10 month German campaign against the French
Fortress. The German player plays the role of Crown Prince Wilhelm (son
of the Kaiser), commander of the German 5th army tasked with attacking
Verdun. The French player takes on the role of Philippe Petain,
attempting to resist complete annihilation by the Germans. The attack on
Verdun was notable as Verdun had no inherent strategic value, but a
significant value to French national prestige. German army commander
Falkenhayn intended to ‘bleed the French white’, meaning to cause so
many casualties against the French that their remaining reserves of
manpower would be exhausted and weakened across the en-tire Western
Front. Falkenhayn correctly assumed that the French would ferociously
defend Verdun as it was an ancient Fortress and long held symbol of
national pride, and therefore at one point all of the French Army was
being rotated in and out in order to keep up with the constant German
bombardments and assaults.
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