Page "Chemin des Dames" Paragraph 11

This situation developed into a threat of complete disintegration.

General Pétain, who had opposed this offensive, was called in to take over from Nivelle and to reestablish order.

This he did without harsh collective punishments.

A total of 629 men were sentenced to death, but only 28 men, who had fired weapons at their superiors, were executed.

Conversely, he instituted positive changes, such as longer home leaves and better food and medical / surgical assistance for the troops.

Eventually normalcy came back in the fall of 1917.

The British army took over the defenses at the western end of the ridge during the following twelve months, thus bringing relief.