Nivelle Offensive begins in northern France 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 16 1917)


Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny' (April 16, 1917, at 27:47)

(Monday, April 16, 1917, 6:00 a.m. CEST) — The Nivelle Offensive, a massive Franco-British offensive on the Western Front in the First World War, was launched today by General Robert Nivelle, commander of the French armies, deploying some 1.2 million soldiers and 7,000 artillery pieces, with which he promised to break the German line within 48 hours.


Video: 'World War I: Nivelle Offensive' (4 videos; Apr. 16 1917, third video at 0:24)