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French Army |
 primary preface politics plan xvii posters paris homefront perspective people~joffreperserveranceperniciousproblemspointless battleprecious triviapieces cited |
 "...(Michel did his best) to equip the army to fight a successful offensive but was in his turn frustrated in his most-cherished prospect- the need to reform the French uniform... French soldiers still wore the same blue coats, red kepi, and red trousers they had worn in 1830 when rifle fire carried only two hundred paces and when armies, fighting at these close quarters, had no need for concealment... Messimy (thought that) French soldiers (should be) less visible. His project to clothe him in gray-blue or gray-green raised a howl of protest." (GOA pg. 37)  German's helping French soldiers "Her will to win, her elan, would enable France to defeat her enemy." (GOA pg. 31)  Alpine Infantry "...the youngest classes filled out the regular army units to war strength; the others were formed into reserve regiments, brigades, and divisions according to local geographical districts. These were considered fit only for rear duty or for use as fortress troops, and incapable, because of ther lack of trained officers and NCOs of being attached to the fighting regiments." (GOA pg. 35) |
