Final answer:
No one truly won the battles of Somme and Verdun due to the immense casualties and minimal territorial advances. The battles epitomized the futile and devastating nature of World War I warfare, with heavy reliance on military technology leading to stalemates.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is argued by some historians that no one truly won the battles of Somme and Verdun. The primary reasons for this perspective are the extraordinary loss of life and minimal territorial gains made during these battles. At Verdun, the Germans initially captured the city, but the French quickly constructed new defenses, negating any German gains. Ultimately, the battle resulted in over a million casualties without strategic advantage. Similarly, the Battle of the Somme saw massive casualties with only a slight advance by the British forces. Over 1.2 million casualties resulted from this protracted battle, and despite a push of only six miles into German lines, no decisive breakthrough occurred. Both battles represented the futility and devastation of World War I, showing that the massive application of military technology and manpower did not translate into significant victory for any side.