 During the Third Battle of the Aisne (the Blücher-Yorck phase of the Spring Offensive), Duchêne's group held the high ground of the Chemin des Dames.However, he was openly contemptuous of General Philippe Petain's order to maintain a defence in depth, preferring instead to consolidate his troops in the front line.When the Germans attacked in late May 1918, his line broke and crossed the river Aisne.