On 16 April 1917, at 6 o’clock in the morning, the troops of the 1st French Army Corps set out to attack what was
without a doubt the most formidable position on the Chemin des Dames. Since the beginning of the war, the lines
german women are here perched on a plateau overlooking the village of Craonne. According to General Nivelle’s plans,
this position should have been retaken in a few hours. In fact, it will only be partially regained in part
during the attack of May 5, 1917.
Le belvédère du plateau de Californie
