THE INFAMOUS mutiny by over half the French Army in 1917 is to be explored in depth in a hard-hitting talk in County Durham.
Tony Noyes, chairman of the Western Front Association, will be looking at the disastrous turn of events that lead to thousands of French soldiers refusing to take orders during the First World War.
His talk, entitled Nivelle and the French Mutinies, is being held at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery on Saturday, September 29, at 2pm.
Tony, who admits the Great War has become his obsession, said: "The French Army had suffered over three million casualties by the end of 1915, mostly in failed attacks. In 1916 they suffered another 400,000 casualties in the horror of the Battle of Verdun but as winter approached they desperately fought back and General Nivelle retook the crucial Fort Douaumont."
Nivelle was put in control of the French Army. He began to plan an attack around Rheims telling his men they would win a resounding victory in 48 hours but the offensive was a disaster that led to the mutinies.
Tickets for the talk are available in advance by post or at the door.
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