March-April 1916.—The attack on the flanks.
May-September 1916.—The battle of attrition.
The central attack (February 21st-25th) endangered the position of Verdun but the arrival of the first French reinforcements saved the place.
The enemy widened his attacking front, but his effort to outflank the position was a failure.
The defence was reorganised, road and rail taking their part in the battle. The enemy's attempts at attrition on the spot were a failure.
On July 1st the allied offensive was launched on the Somme.