There is no doubt that for the colonial troops in Mangin's Army at Chemin des Dames, the weather was completely unsuitable, unaccustomed to the cold, rain and snow they were particularly hard hit, but I think this generalisation may make them scapegoats for the inherent incompetence of General Robert Nivelle and the french leadership and management of the offensive.
As Nivelle launched his second attempt (note the disaster of the first one) on the eastern end of the Chemin des Dames the first signs of indiscipline appeared at the western end of the front. A company at Laffaux refused to go up to the front line complaining about their general conditions and the mismanagement of the campaign.
The conditions under which the French soldiers served would have caused uproar in the British or German armies. Pay was poor, the food neither nourishing or of sufficient quantity and leave was difficult to obtain.
The use of decimation was still used in the French Army - shooting a number of men to encourage the others to be more vigorous in their attacks. Above all else, the French were fed up with the impossible battles they were asked to fight.
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