The Chemin des Dames, literally, the Ladies' Way, was a pleasure walk along a ridge offering views across the Aisne and the surrounding landscape, and designated by the French king, Louis XV for the amusement of his daughters.
The ridge's strategic importance on the Western Front of World War I led to several important battles being fought for control of the Chemin des Dames. The name therefore applies to several battles fought here between 1916 and 1918. The most famous took place between April 17th and April 25th 1917, General Robert Nivelle attacked the German's in the caves of the Chemin De Dames, which was under the hill where the Germans were surveying the area. The first day, the French lost approximately 40,000 men. Overall the French lost about 97,000 men. This was disasterous for the French because they were already very short on man power.
Schauplätze des Gebirgskrieges 1a, Östliche Dolomiten, by Walther Schaumann (Ghedina & Tassotti, 1985).
Oorlogsgasten, Vluchtelingen en krijgsgevangenen in Nederland tijdens de Eerste Wereldoorlog, by Evelyn de Roodt (Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel 2000).
De Stilte van de Salient, de herinnering aan de Eerste Wereldoorlog rond Ieper, by Johan Meire (Uitgeverij Lannoo, Tielt 2003).
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