The VERDUN artillery CRT clearly shows that the most important function of artillery units, as far as infantry assaults went, was demoralizing the enemy. Depending on the overall morale of a nation's troops, and the ability of a unit's commander, it was possible for artillery to cause enormous casualties without destroying the morale of the survivors. This can be reflected in the game through the use of "Decimation" results.

Decimation results in the formation of a weaker (half strength) but good-order unit. Each player is limitted in the number of decimated units that he may have on the board in any one turn, and this is a factor dependent on morale level. A decimation result is always elective - a player may choose demoralization instead, and he may only choose a decimation result when he is permitted an additional decimated unit on the board, Decimated units are returned to full strength just as demoralized units are. Decimated units may be demoralized, but may not be decimated again. A decimated unit counts against the limit until it is returned to the board at full strength, Included is a new Artillery CRT showing the decimated results.

DECIMATION LIMITS
Turns	German	French
To Feb. 27	1 unit	2 units
To Mar. 10	2 units	4 units
To end of game	2 units	2 units

Handicaps

Both players' armies had handicaps, the built-in "idiocy factors," that helped to make WW I the blood bath that it was.

French Handicaps

The greatest handicap for the French was the "Grandmaison" doctrine of the attack which resulted, until Petain put a stop to it, in constant penny-packet counterattacks with no chance of success, and in a refusal to retreat even when it was mandatory.

The following rules can reflect this doctrine and it's effects:

1. No Retreat - Whenever a French unit wants to retreat - that is to move towards Verdun, it must roll a die - an even number allows it to retreat, but the unit is demoralized at the end of it's retreat. This rule is in effect through February 25th. An odd number allows the unit to move only if it is to execute an infantrv assault that turn.

2. Counterattacks - By the beginning of the February 26th turn, the French must have made at least six infantry assaults; if they have made less, they lose the difference in battalions of the German player's choice, at the start of the 26th turn. Units executing counterattacks may move in any direction desired, they are exempt from the no-retreat requirements.

3. Morale - The six Infantry Battalions that start the game in Verdun were African Colonials unprepared for the intensity of the Verdun barrages, and consequently, several units of this force surrendered without firing a shot.

Accordingly, whenever any one of these units is first Infantry-Assaulted, (they can be marked with a "T" for Tirrailleur to identify them), roll the die, with a one or two resulting in the immediate demoralization of the unit, or it's elimination if already demoralized. This effect occurs only the first time each unit is attacked, and never after February 25th; switch attacked units to unmarked units to identify those who cannot be subsequently demoralized in this matter.

4. French Artillery Coordination - The French had difficulties with their artillery coordination at the best of times, and especially at Verdun/ therefore, whenever a demoralized French artillery unit fires, a 1 or 2 on a die roll causes that unit's fire to scatter one hex. Use the phosgene table, shifting the numbers clockwise into the hexes.

German Handicaps Falkenhayn, the German CGS, had some very peculiar ideas about how the battle was to progress, and more significantly, he did not communicate these ideas to the generals commanding the troops. Falkenhayn's ideas can cause the German some problems, and they can be reflected in the following rules:

1. Cautious Offensive - Falkenhayn wanted to limit German losses, so he planned for the first day of the offensive, to make only "strong patrol" actions, with the bulk of the German troops held back until the second day. Accordingly the German can be limited to using no more than 10 infantry battalions in infantry assaults on turn one. The German player can roll a die for General Von Zwehl, who committed his whole corps anyway; a roll of 1,2, or 3 lets the German commit an additional 15 infantry battalions on turn one.

2. Prolonged Battle - Falkenhayn wanted to drag the French into defending Verdun, so he did not want the attack to proceed too rapidly; accordingly the XV Corps may not be committed, and no replacement division may be rolled for, on turns in which the Germans advance more than one hex towards Verdun. (Measured by the unit closest to a Verdun hex, not by each unit.)

3. Flamethrowers - The French soon learned the weaknesses of the Flamethrower, and it's effectiveness diminished. After February 25th, flip a coin with heads meaning that the Flamethrower has no effect on the battle -- obviously, do this after the attack has been committed.

4. V Reserve Corps - This corps would constitute the first two replacement divisions entered, It was made up of unenthusiastic Alsatians and Silesian Poles - each division contains 5 "A" marked battalions. On first contact with the enemy either attacking or defending, use the same procedure as with the French "T" units, and the same results - this effect lasts throughout the game.

More Verdun Game Variants

Introduction
Initial Order of Battle
Forts
Artillery CRT Variation
Observation
Use of the Artillery Shell Table

Verdun: The Situation (Background and History)

Introduction
Artillery
Other Weapons
Barrages
Observation
Forts and Terrain
Infantry