18. The first French offensive began in October, 1916
On October 20, three French infantry divisions moved forward behind an artillery tactic known as a creeping barrage, designed to keep German artillery and infantry sheltered as they advanced. They moved forward at the rate of about fifty yards every two minutes. The fighting raged for several days before French colonial troops, supported by French marines, captured Douaumont on October 24 after the Germans had largely abandoned the fortification. Fort Vaux remained in German hands and under bombardment from the French heavy guns for another week, until they abandoned it on November 2.
The following month the French launched the final assault of the Battle of Verdun, on German defensive positions which had been improved and fortified throughout the battle. Once again, a lengthy barrage of artillery fire pounded the German positions, and they responded with the just over 500 guns remaining in their hands. The attack was launched by the infantry on December 15, and by December 17 the French had regained the territory lost to the Germans in February. The 155 mm gun of Fort Douaumont was repaired, and supported the final French assault. The morning of December 18 found the Battle of Verdun over.