When the war came Major Bauer was posted to the Operations Section of Oberste Heeresleitung (OHL, Supreme Headquarters) as head of Section II, which was responsible for heavy artillery, mortars, and fortresses.
Bauer strongly opposed Falkenhayn's plan to attack Verdun in 1916 along a narrow front on the right bank of the Meuse, because their flank would be vulnerable to French artillery on the left bankhe was spot-on; before long they had to attack the left bank as well.