Complex sentence: After Nivelle's attempt to achieve a decisive "rupture" failed Wilson defended Nivelle to the new French War Minister Painleve (26 April), who clearly wanted to replace Nivelle with Petain, who favoured abstaining from major offensives until the Americans were present in strength.
Split into simpler sentences: After Nivelle's attempt to achieve a decisive "rupture" failed Wilson defended Nivelle to the new French War Minister Painleve (26 April). Painleve clearly wanted to replace Nivelle with Petain, who favoured abstaining from major offensives until the Americans were present in strength.