Adevarul and Universul were clearly pro-French, while Minerva had been acquired by a German consortium, in 1914.

Historian Alexandru Madgearu from the Institute of Political Defense Studies and Military History told us that the Romanian press wrote about the war, depending on whether they sided with the Allies or the Central Powers: “The general orientation of newspapers influenced the way in which the news was presented. The difficulty in overcoming the pro-German faction could be seen in the press, in the coverage of the battle of Verdun and the war in general. At the same time, the public opinion group that sided with the Central Powers was powerful and influential. Romania's army could not cope with the war. In spite of this, France had to overcome some difficulties in its ambition of bringing Romania in, on the side of the Allies. They offered the Austro-Hungarian territories inhabited by Romanians and made promises on additional guarantees. In order to persuade Romania to join the war, the Allies made a generous offer. Romania will follow Italy's example, the balance will tip towards intervention sooner or later.” Romanian public opinion, strong enough to persuade a Hohenzollern to remain neutral, will persuade him to go from neutrality to intervention. I received the map of Central and Eastern Europe, I noticed that Romania will grow more if the Central Powers are defeated, than if Russia is defeated. I sincerely believe I should congratulate you. What seems completely remarkable is the prediction made by General Lyautey, Count Saint Aulaire's protector, for his departure to Romania: “I reflected upon your situation, Count.

Bratianu promised that Romania would join the war in 5 to 6 weeks if the munitions they had asked for would be received within that time line. Historian Sergiu Iosipescu, from the Institute of Political Defense Studies and Military History, told us about the role played by the French ambassador to Bucharest: “On July 5, 1916, the Count of Saint Aulaire, the day before going to Bucharest, handed the French president a message sent by Bratianu to Lahovary, the minister in Paris. It was Romania that had to agree to commit to that, in diplomatic terms. The French strategy was to open a new front in the east, in order to steer away from Verdun German troops. France was teetering on the brink, and the battle of Verdun was a close call. The battle of Verdun was a crucial moment, when Romania had to make a historic decision. The initiative to attract Romania to the side of the Allies had been left to Russia, but Russia believed that Romania's wish to improve the fate of Romanians outside the borders were exaggerated. In spite of this, Romania's economic relations with the Central Powers continued in the two years of neutrality, with Romanian oil and food supplying their armies. Romania did not honor its alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary because the rights of Romanians in Austria-Hungary were not observed.

Romania was an ally of the Central Powers with which it had signed a treaty in 1883, but proclaimed neutrality in 1914, when the war started. The clash 100 years ago was decisive, after Romania decided to join the fray after staying neutral. The same happened in the Romanian theater of war, in the battles that turned the tide of the war in 1917. The will of the German army to grind into the ground French forces was thwarted by the latter's will to resist.

But Falkenhayn's plan for an attack that would economise on German resources failed to work out as he expected.The importance of Verdun was tremendous for French morale and the fate of the war.

The two campaigns together should have brought France and Britain to terms

Falkenhayn hoped to combine the Verdun offensive with a U-boat offensive against British shipping.

General Erich von Falkenhayn, the Chief of the General Staff and Germany's principal strategist, targeted Verdun because of its position on the Allied line and its sentimental value to French people.

At the end of the bloodshed, France emerged as the victor, by December 1916 winning back nearly all the territory it had lost in February.

Verdun - a strong point on the long frontline dividing the French and German armies - was the longest battle of World War One.

Battle verdun