WW1-402 FRENCH INFANTRY 1915/18 WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE

The French army at the start of World War I, in August 1914, was perceived as one of the largest and most modern in Europe. This army was also eager to retaliate for the defeats suffered at the hands of Prussia in the years 1870-1871. The basic, numerically largest, type of armed forces was infantry. On the peace foot, in 1913 it consisted of 173 line regiments and other regiments, e.g. zouaves or mountain infantry. After the mobilization in 1914, the number of infantry soldiers increased significantly. In 1914, the average French infantryman (French poillou) was armed with the Lebel Mle1886 rifle, modernized in 1893. The defective Saint Etienne Mle 1907 rifle was used as the basic machine gun. The uniform of the French infantryman did not meet the standards of the then battlefield and consisted of a blue kepi, a grant coat (designed as early as 1877) and red pants! In the course of the first months of World War I, it was realized very quickly and, as a result, in 1916 the French infantryman already had an iron M15 Adrian helmet, gray breeches and, unfortunately, a light blue uniform jacket that was supposed to blend in with the morning mist. He also received a gas mask and hand grenades. At the end of the war in 1918, its armament and equipment differed and often exceeded those used in 1914. Another combat tactic was also used, with a strong emphasis on the use of heavy artillery on the battlefield.