<– Part 147 – May 13, 1917  | Part 148 – May 20, 1917 |  Part 149 – May 27, 1917 –>

On May 15, Philippe Petain replaced Robert Nivelle as the French Chief of the General Staff. He has promised an end to suicidal attacks, rest for beleaguered troops, and no executions for the mutinies, which have affected nearly 1/2 the French army and seen 20,000 deserters. Petain is popular with the soldiers already, having risen up through the ranks for the last 40 years.

In the Mediterranean, a naval sortie by the Austro-Hungarian Navy against the Otranto Barrage, the Allied blockade of the Otranto Strait, was somewhat successful, although the attackers were forced to withdraw as reinforcements sailed towards them.

Fighting at Arras ended May 16. Although minimal territorial gains were had by the Allies, it was nevertheless successful in tying down German troops, preventing them from reinforcing other parts of the front. 158,000 British troops fell, with approximately 125,000 Germans with them.

At Monastir, Bulgarian forces have taken the Crvena Stena Ridge May 18, following weeks of stagnation in the trenches.