Nivelle Offensive Collection

In Champagne: a surprise attack; While part of the group held back to clear the ground... 1917. Creator: Unknown
In Champagne: a surprise attack; While part of the group held back to clear the ground taken in the first wave, the forward line marched to the second enemy line whose survivors had surrendered

Life in the trenches in Champagne; Calm: "correspondence and cigarettes, 1917. Creator: Unknown
Life in the trenches in Champagne; Calm: "correspondence and cigarettes", 1917. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919, Volume 2" [L'Illustration, Paris, 1924]

Life in the trenches in Champagne; Calm: "le pinard", 1917. Creator: Unknown
Life in the trenches in Champagne; Calm: "le pinard", 1917. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919, Volume 2" [L'Illustration, Paris, 1924]

Life in the trenches in Champagne; In the wires of an adjoining trench... 1917. Creator: Unknown
Life in the trenches in Champagne; In the wires of an adjoining trench, a fallen German during a surprise attack, 1917. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919

Life in the trenches in Champagne; The outpost re-arms immediately... 1917. Creator: Unknown
Life in the trenches in Champagne; The outpost res-arms immediately using its ammunition, 1917. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919, Volume 2" [L'Illustration, Paris, 1924]

Life in the trenches in Champagne; A lookout teased by the enemy is passed hand grenades, 1917. Creator: Unknown
Life in the trenches in Champagne; A lookout teased by the enemy is passed hand grenades, 1917. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919, Volume 2" [L'Illustration, Paris, 1924]

Life in the trenches in Champagne; A torpedo explodes at some distance... 1917. Creator: Unknown
Life in the trenches in Champagne; A torpedo explodes at some distance, shaking the parapets, mowing down everything around with its splinters, 1917

General Anthoine, 1917. Creator: Unknown
General Anthoine, 1917. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919, Volume 2" [L'Illustration, Paris, 1924]

Sur le massif de Moronvilliers; Notre artillerie d'assaut: char armé a l'avant d'un canon... 1917
Sur le massif de Moronvilliers; Notre artillerie d'assaut: char arme a l'avant d'un canon... 1917. First World War: on the Moronvilliers Hills; assault artillery

Life in the trenches in Champagne; A torpedo passes: two soldiers follow its trajectory...1917. Creator: Unknown
Life in the trenches in Champagne; A torpedo passes: two soldiers follow its trajectory, one smiling, the other with a slightly tense face; a third, behind them, disinterested, 1917

General Nivelle commanding the army of Verdun, front cover illustration from
698740 General Nivelle commanding the army of Verdun, front cover illustration from Le Petit Journal, supplement illustre, 28th May 1916 (colour litho) by French School

A French section of machine gunners has taken position in the ruins during the battle of
GBW451453 A French section of machine gunners has taken position in the ruins during the battle of the Aisne, France, 1917 (autochrome) by Cuville

Robert Georges Nivelle, French First World War genreral, (1926). Nivelle (1857-1924) was Commander-in-Chief of the French army from December 1916 to May 1917

In the village of Craonnelle, 9th May 1917, 1917, (1926). Artist: Francois Flameng
In the village of Craonnelle, 9th May 1917, 1917, (1926). Buildings in a village damaged during the French Nivelle Offensive of April-May 1917

The Cliff of Craonne, c1917, (1926). Artist: Francois Flameng
The Cliff of Craonne, c1917, (1926). Craonne saw heavy fighting during the disastrous French Nivelle offensive of April-May 1917

Robert Nivelle, French World War I general. Nivelle (1857-1924) was Commander-in-Chief of the French army from December 1916 to May 1917

Robert Nivelle, French general, 1917. Nivelle (1857-1924) was Commander-in-Chief of the French army from December 1916 to May 1917

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The Nivelle Offensive was a major military operation launched by the French Army in April 1917 during World War I. It was named after General Robert Nivelle, who believed that a massive assault on the German lines would lead to a breakthrough and victory for the Allies. However, the offensive quickly turned into a disaster as French troops suffered heavy casualties and failed to make significant gains. The often remembered as one of the most costly and futile battles of World War I, with over 187,000 French soldiers killed or wounded in just a few weeks. The failure of the offensive led to widespread mutinies within the French Army and ultimately contributed to Nivelle's removal from command. Despite its initial intentions, the Nivelle Offensive highlighted the futility of large-scale offensives on entrenched positions during World War I. It served as a harsh lesson for military leaders on both sides about the limitations of traditional tactics in modern warfare. Today, the legacy of the Nivelle Offensive serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of learning from past mistakes to prevent similar tragedies in future conflicts.