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Description
Private 1st Class, French Infantry
French Army, Ypers, 1914
World War I

Just like Italy, France usually gets a bad rap when it comes to warfare. The image of vast numbers of troops surrendering and poor battlefield performance comes to mind. However that stereotype is far from the truth. The French have won a majority of the wars they have fought in and French troops fought extremely well and bravely in both World Wars. In World War I, France fought beyond the point of exhaustion and in turn lost over 1.3 million men. That's almost 4.50% of their entire population.

This soldier is seen standing guard on the fields of Ypers (pronounced ee-pruh) in Belgium. The battle was one of the first major battles in World War I. By September 1914, the German advance saw them within just 20 miles from Paris. The French government fled to Bordeaux and was expecting Paris to fall. In the north, most of Belgium was occupied and the small towns of Ypers and Yser (ee-ser) were the gateway to Paris. From 19 October to 22 November 1914, 4.4 million Allied troops fought against 5.4 million Germans.

The battle proved to be indecisive, as the Germans were kept from reaching Paris, but were not driven out of Belgium either. The Allies suffered between 129,000-164,000 casualties and the Germans suffered around 130,000 casualties.

While the drawing may not show it, this soldier's uniform is colorful, fashionable, and HIGHLY impractical. He adorns bright red trousers and a bright blue overcoat with red rank insignia on the sleeves and collar. The number on the collar indicates the battalion or regiment he is assigned to, while the markings on the sleeves indicate the rank of Private 1st Class. This uniform, while stylish, proved to be highly visible and impractical and led to unnecessary casualties. His hat is the standard issue blue kepi cap with red lining. He is also wearing the French issue leather webbing with M1897 ammo pouches and, on his back, an M1893 pack with a tent strapped on top. His weapon is the Lebel M1886/93 rifle, chambered in 8mm (0.315in) rounds.

Description
Private 1st Class, French Infantry
French Army, Ypers, 1914
World War I

Just like Italy, France usually gets a bad rap when it comes to warfare. The image of vast numbers of troops surrendering and poor battlefield performance comes to mind. However that stereotype is far from the truth. The French have won a majority of the wars they have fought in and French troops fought extremely well and bravely in both World Wars. In World War I, France fought beyond the point of exhaustion and in turn lost over 1.3 million men. That's almost 4.50% of their entire population.

This soldier is seen standing guard on the fields of Ypers (pronounced ee-pruh) in Belgium. The battle was one of the first major battles in World War I. By September 1914, the German advance saw them within just 20 miles from Paris. The French government fled to Bordeaux and was expecting Paris to fall. In the north, most of Belgium was occupied and the small towns of Ypers and Yser (ee-ser) were the gateway to Paris. From 19 October to 22 November 1914, 4.4 million Allied troops fought against 5.4 million Germans.

The battle proved to be indecisive, as the Germans were kept from reaching Paris, but were not driven out of Belgium either. The Allies suffered between 129,000-164,000 casualties and the Germans suffered around 130,000 casualties.

While the drawing may not show it, this soldier's uniform is colorful, fashionable, and HIGHLY impractical. He adorns bright red trousers and a bright blue overcoat with red rank insignia on the sleeves and collar. The number on the collar indicates the battalion or regiment he is assigned to, while the markings on the sleeves indicate the rank of Private 1st Class. This uniform, while stylish, proved to be highly visible and impractical and led to unnecessary casualties. His hat is the standard issue blue kepi cap with red lining. He is also wearing the French issue leather webbing with M1897 ammo pouches and, on his back, an M1893 pack with a tent strapped on top. His weapon is the Lebel M1886/93 rifle, chambered in 8mm (0.315in) rounds.