1-217-092 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'The attack on the German positions north of the Aisne, 16th April 1917', (1926). Known as the Nivelle Offensive, after Robert Nivelle, the Commander in Chief of the French Army who planned it, the French offensive of April 1917 was a disaster. Little territory was gained, 187,000 casualties were suffered and a widespread mutiny broke out amongst the French troops. The government fell and Nivelle himself was replaced by General Petain.