General Robert Nivelle Signed Autograph Letter World War I

  

Robert Nivelle (1856-1924), French soldier, general and commander-in-chief of the French armies during the First World War. Autograph letter signed entitled "secret and personal" to the British Marshal Sir douglas haig. 4 April 1917; 3 pages 1/4 in-folio on paper heading the great headquarters of the armies of the north and north-east t letter of historical scope of General robert nivelle, commander-in-chief of the French armies from December 1916 to May 1917, to Marshal Sir douglas haig, concerning the date of the British attack on arras, the first phase of the allied offensive of the spring 1917 that level had prepared with the aim of breaking through the German front and winning the war. "The persistence of bad weather will certainly not allow us to trigger our attacks on the date now very close, which we had set. If, in a powerful attack, prepared thoroughly so as to leave nothing to chance, the chances of success approach certainty, these chances decrease rapidly if the preparation is incomplete.

However, the state of the atmosphere does not allow artillery action to develop in good conditions, the condition of the terrain would make it difficult for the movements of the infantry, the movements of roads and of all lines of communication would hinder supplies. All these disadvantages are compounded by the long-term nature of the operations.

However, we do not want to neglect any chance of success. On the other hand, our state of readiness on the whole front would allow us to face up to and respond to any attack. Thus, in the present state, there would only be advantages in moving back the date of the attacks until the state of the atmosphere and the soil allowed them to be undertaken under the best conditions. The best way to take into account the duration of preparations for the deployment of the attack infantry would be to stay at j-3 until further notice.

The date for the first attack being 8, j-3 is 5. If time improved from the 10th, for example. And that the order be given at that date to continue the preparations, it would result that one would remain at j-3 from 5 to 10 inclusive, j-2 would be 11, j-1 on 12, j on 13.

I have the honour to ask you whether you share my view of the need, because of the bad weather, to postpone to a later date the attack that was to take place on the 8th, and the process to be used to set the new day as soon as time permits." A simple colonel at the beginning of the war, Nivelle was promoted general at the same time as Pétain in October 1914. He distinguished himself by his audacity, disrouting the German army several times. On 19 April 1916, he replaced General Pétain in Verdun, considered not offensive enough, at the head of the second army. He distinguished himself in the capture of the douaumont fort and in the battle of the sum, blocking the German offensive at the fort of Souville, despite significant human losses.

He was decorated with the plaque of a great officer of the Legion of Honour on 19 April 1916. After a quick victory, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the armies in place of General Joffre, considered too static, for his part promoted Marshal de France. He wants to put an end to the war of wearing of the slices and pleads for the bruised attack. Prime Minister Lloyd George agreed to put British troops under his command.

It must, however, be accountable to its military hierarchy and to the policies affecting its freedom of decision. At the end of February 1917, a date was set for April to choose a joint attack with British troops on the front line between vimy and reims. But the German army is retreating.

Nivelle then decided to dissociate the English attack from the French attack that centered on the ladies' path. On 19 March, the briand government was replaced by the briand government, which took on the role of minister of the paul-paul-paullevé war, hostile to the level. Deciding of an attack, his offensive plan was sounded in the ears of the Germans, who were preparing to welcome the 12 French divisions that were on the offensive on 16 April. This battle of the ladies' path is a failure with great loss of life. Painlevé, supported behind the scenes by pewter, both hostile to the level, took the opportunity to replace him at the head of the French army by the latter. This item is in the category "books, bd, magazines\old books, collection". The seller is "cyril2472" and is located in this country: en. This item can be shipped to the following country: whole world.