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Nivel RoberFrench general, commander-in-chief of the French army during the First World War.
Date of Birth: 15.10.1857
Country:  France |
Content:
Biography of Robert Nivelle
Robert Georges Nivelle, born on October 15, 1857, in Tulle, France, was a French general and the commander-in-chief of the French Army during World War I. He was known for his aggressive offensive tactics. Nivelle was born into a French-English family and graduated from the Polytechnic School in 1878. He obtained the rank of artillery lieutenant and served in Indochina, Algeria, and China. In December 1913, he was promoted to colonel.
Early Military Career
Nivelle participated in repelling the German offensive in Alsace in 1914 and fought in the First Battle of the Marne and the First Battle of Ypres. In October 1914, he was promoted to brigadier general. During the Battle of Verdun in 1916, Nivelle served as the chief assistant to General Pétain and displayed his strategic talent by leading the French troops in the capture of Fort Douaumont. Shortly after, he became the commander of the Verdun sector.
Commander-in-Chief
On December 13, 1916, French Prime Minister Aristide Briand appointed Nivelle as the commander-in-chief of the French Army. Nivelle developed a plan to defeat the German forces, which involved a major offensive in the Arras-Soissons-Reims area. He claimed that a concentrated attack on the German line would lead to France's victory within 48 hours. Nivelle openly discussed his plan with anyone who showed interest, including journalists, which allowed the German command to learn about it, losing the element of surprise. In April 1917, the French army launched an offensive in the Aisne region, which later became known as the Nivelle Offensive. However, due to the fortified German defensive positions, Nivelle failed to achieve significant success, and the offensive ended without substantial gains. The French army suffered heavy losses, with 187,000 casualties, leading to mutinies within its ranks.
Later Career and Legacy
On May 9, 1917, Nivelle was replaced as the commander-in-chief by General Pétain. In December 1917, Nivelle was assigned to serve in North Africa, where he remained until his retirement in 1921. He is famously attributed with the phrase "But they shall not pass," which he uttered during the Battle of Verdun in 1916. Despite his controversial role in the Nivelle Offensive and the subsequent mutinies, Nivelle's military career remains a significant part of French military history.
