ABSTRACT
In a year of large and costly offensives, the Germans attempted to smash the French Army at Verdun. They failed, but it required the British and Russians to relieve some of the pressure. On the Somme the Germans survived, despite suffering as many losses as the British and French. The Russians almost forced the surrender of Austria-Hungary but had to divert forces to aid new ally Romania. The year also saw vain attempts to reach an acceptable peace.
