The Nivelle Offensive ( 16 April – 9 May 1917 ) , was a Franco-British operation on the Western Front in the First World War .

The failure of the Nivelle strategy and the high number of French casualties led to Causation mutinies and the dismissal of Nivelle , his replacement by Pétain and the adoption of a defensive strategy by the French , while their armies recuperated Recovering and were rearmed .

The failure of the Nivelle strategy and the high number of French casualties led to Causation mutinies and the dismissal of Nivelle , his replacement by Pétain and the adoption of a defensive strategy by the French , while their armies recuperated Recovering and were rearmed .