Verdun

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31061, 17 May 1966, Page 16

Verdun

Sir, —Seth Newell implies a deliberate silence about the French Army mutinies. My article concerned the Battle of Verdun 50 years ago. The mutinies began on April 29, 1917, almost a year later. The general cause was three years’ disillusionment with the war, including Verdun, but the immediate causes were: (1) The failure of General Nivelle’s April offensive. He promised a breakthrough in two days or disengagement: he achieved neither. (2) The Russian Revolution, then two months old, had many sympathisers in the French ranks. (3) All leave had been stopped in February. When it was resumed some troops attempted to remain at home. Mutinous acts were largely confined to reserve infantry units being sent forward. They took the form of drunkenness, minor acts of railway sabotage, fights with police and manifestations in support of the Russians. There were few attacks on officers. But I was not writing a history of the French Army in the Great War.—Yours, etc., NAYLOR HILLARY. May 16, 1966. Victimisation

Sir, —It is reported that at the Labour Party conference legislation against victimisation of workers by employees was suggested. One may note that victimisation of workers by union officials, which can be much more vicious, was hot mentioned. Nor was mention made of victimisation of employers and the public by the unions.—Yours, etc., JUSTICE. May 13, 1966.