The German General Staff devised a detailed plan for the siege of Falden, which was finally decided to be launched in November 1915, code-named Execution Ground.
Occupying Verdun was a formidable task, but it could bring unparalleled honor to the command leader.
As a result, many German generals were eager to take command of the Execution Ground plan.
However, Fakinham eventually chose Prince William of Germany as the commander of the main attack on Verdun, perhaps as a tribute to the royal family, or perhaps to get William II to approve the plan as soon as possible. In any case, Crown Prince William indeed became the commander of the Verdun offensive.
A prestigious work on the history of World War I called "August Barrage" satirically describes this German Crown Prince:
The Crown Prince, in his 30s, has a fox-like face, no chest, and is as thin as a willow, unlike his mother's five robust brothers born every other year.
