1914 19th October
Battle of Ypres, 1st
Falkenhayn seeks decision in Flanders around Ypres.
First World War · permanent subject timeline
Erich von Falkenhayn
German Chief of the General Staff during the middle years of the war. This page combines historical context with 11 matching records drawn directly from the World History Database World War I battle archive.
Historical context
Erich von Falkenhayn: overview and significance
What happened?
Erich von Falkenhayn served as German Chief of the General Staff from 1914 to 1916. He concentrated heavily on the Western Front and was the senior German commander associated with the decision to attack Verdun.
Why was it important?
Falkenhayn's strategy reflected the difficulty of achieving decisive victory in a multi-front war. The costly Verdun campaign and developments on other fronts contributed to his replacement by Hindenburg and Ludendorff.
World History Database records
Erich von Falkenhayn timeline
The records below are selected from the 572-record World War I battles archive and rendered as static HTML in chronological order.
1914
1916
1916 21st February
Battle of Verdun
Flamethrowers are used for the 1st time at the Battle of Verdun. Decides "to bleed France white" by concentrating on a historically sensitive area. 1st day to "bleed the French white", 1200 German artillery guns open fire
1916 25th February
Battle of Verdun
Begins successfully when the Germans take Fort Douamont, Verduns strongest position
1916 24th June
Battle of Verdun
Cancels supplies to the battle when the French are saved from by Allied bombardment
1916 27th September
Battle of Hermannstadt
The German Ninth Army pushes back the Romanian forces during the Romanian Campaign
1916 30th November
Battle of Argesul
German & Austrian victory which leads to the capture of Bucharest. Attacks the Romanians at the River Argesul who launch an operation to defend Bucharest
1916 December
Battle of Verdun
Each loses about 350,000. After 10 months the Germans are forced back to their original positions
1917
1917 4th January
Battle of Putna
Begins the first day of the Battle of Putna
1917 25th January
Battle of Verdun
A mile long stretch of French trenches is stormed at Hill 304 but recaptured
1917 18th March
Battle of Verdun
German attacks in the Avocourt-Mort Sector are repulsed
1917 9th April
Battle of Arras
The British begin the Nivelle offensive against the German 6th under von Falkenhausen. A British tactical victory
Editorial provenance
Sources and editorial review
Compiled and edited by World History Database.
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from World History Database First World War records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
Imperial War Museums · Commonwealth War Graves Commission · Australian War Memorial
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