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How did French aircraft affect the Battle of Verdun?

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French soldiers in uniform rest and eat on a grassy field behind the front lines during the Battle of Verdun in World War I, with gear and rifles stacked nearby. — Battle of Verdun French soldiers resting away from the front line at the Battle of Verdun, 1916.

French aircraft played a critical role during the Battle of Verdun by providing essential intelligence and contesting control of the skies.

As early as January 1916, French airmen successfully detected German preparations for the upcoming offensive. This early reconnaissance allowed French intelligence to identify a significant buildup of German troops on the right bank of the Meuse by February 11, 1916, providing the French high command with vital, albeit late, warnings of the impending attack.

Throughout the prolonged conflict, the struggle for aerial superiority remained a key component of the battle. As the French defense reorganized under General Philippe Pétain, French fliers managed to reclaim command of the air over the battlefield. Later in the year, during the intense artillery duels and counteroffensives in December, pilots from both sides continued to contest supremacy of the skies, which was integral to the broader tactical operations surrounding the defense and eventual reclamation of French positions.12