This bombardment, continuing for more than twenty-four hours as it had,
was the opening of the greatest offensive by the French at Verdun--an
offensive by which General Petain, the French commander, hoped to drive
back the foe that for months had pressed on so hard, and thus to insure
the safety of Verdun, "The gateway to France," against the German invader
for all time to come.
Each move of this gigantic effort had been thought out well in advance.
All contingencies had been provided for and against. The blow was to be
struck at the psychological moment, when it would be deemed by the French
general staff that it was sure of success.
And now this moment had come.
The information placed in the hands of General Petain days before by Hal
and Chester had been the one link in the chain that had been missing. Now
the general staff felt sure of the success of this great effort, though
there was not a man who had taken part in the preparations who did not
know that the victory--if victory there should be--would be won at
tremendous cost.
But, with the fate of Verdun in the balance, it had been the opinion of
each member of the general staff that now was no time to hesitate.
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