French artillery preparation and troop movement prior to the Battle of Verdun, 1916.

Intertitle: A ’75 stuck in the mud. Shots: Artillery men are taking a cannon out of the ground. A howitzer under camouflage is firing shots during a barrage. Railway artillery is firing a round. Infantry walking through a street in Verdun. Infantry walking up a hill. French infantry is dug into a hill. Intertitle: A poilu in difficulties. Shots: A poilu (French soldier) tries to free himself from the mud, while other infantry walks past. Intertitle: Soldiers waiting for the hour to attack. Shots: A group of soldiers is seeking cover against a hill. In the distance the white smoke of exploding grenades is visible.