When World War I started, it was commonly thought that it would be over and done within just a few months. This sort of thinking permeated the general staff of the British and the French in particular. They felt they would trounce the Germans, grab some reparations of one sort or another and head home.

But that was not to be and in order to build up the army, the French in particular, had to be less lenient and require more time from its conscripts. As the war continued and men were killed or wounded at an alarming rate, the need became greater until everyone of age was conscripted into the French Army. There, they were rather poorly trained with equipment that was adequate, but not good and thrown into the meat grinder. They were disrespected by their officers and treated as mere canon fodder for the most part. Millions died and even more were crippled or wounded in one way or another. Eventually they  tired of this and mutinied in 1917. It was a major wake-up call for the French Army and led to great improvements in terms of treatment and training. This book is their story.

It tells how they were recruited, how they were trained, how they were clothed, the weapons that they used, and the tactics they used. It tells of life in the trenches, during battles and what happened to them once they were wounded. They were fighting for their nation as were all troops in that war, and thanks to author Sumner, we can get a good look at what it was like to be one of these men.

This is all enhanced by a superb choice of photographs as well as the artwork and charts of illustrator Giuseppe Rava. It makes for another fascinating look at how these men were able to perform their duties and cope with the war situation. A book that I found eminently readable and fascinating. I know you will as well.

March 2009

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