Begun on February 21 with a massive artillery bombardment, the Germans captured Fort Douaumont four days later.  
Seven months after the main fighting, a counter-attack under Charles Mangin recaptured Thiaumont, and two months later the Germans evacuated Fort Vaux.  Begun on February 21 with a massive artillery bombardment, the Germans captured Fort Douaumont four days later.  While some progress was made in March, notably the capture of Harcourt and Malancourt, the German drive fell short of primary objective, a fortress city overlooking the Meuse.  The French defense was commanded by Henri Petain, who uttered the line "They shall not pass."  FTP, name this eleven-month 1916 battle, intended by the German high command to "bleed the French army white."
Seven months after the main fighting, a counter-attack under Charles Mangin recaptured Thiaumont, and two months later the Germans evacuated Fort Vaux.  
Battle of Verdun