Why did the germans attack verdun

The attack on Verdun came about because of a plan by the German Chief of general staff Von Falkenhayn. He wanted to "bleed France white" by launching a massive German attack on a narrow stretch of land that had historic value to the French - Verdun. The area around Verdun contained twenty major forts and forty smaller ones that had historically protected the eastern border of France. Falkenhayn believed that the French could not allow these forts to fall as the national humiliation would be too much. By fighting to the last man, Falkenhayn believed the French would lose so many men that the battle would change the course of the war.