- Poilu
s were often worn.
The image of the dogged, bearded French soldier was widely used in propaganda and war memorials. The stereotype of the Poilu was of bravery, doggedness, and endurance, but not always of unquestioning obedience. At the disastrous
Chemin des Dames offensive of 1917 under GeneralRobert Nivelle , they were said to have gone intono man's land making baa'ing noises, parodying the idea that they were being sent as lambs to the slaughter. Outstanding for its mixture of horror and heroism, this spectacle proved a sobering one. As the news of it spread, the French high command soon found itself coping with a widespread mutiny. A minor revolution was only averted with the promise of an end to the costly offensive.The two remaining poilus from World War I are Pierre Picault and Fernand Goux. However, French authorites recognise
Lazare Ponticelli as the "dernier" poilu, as he was the last veteran whose service met the strict offical criteria.ee also
*A close British equivalent of Poilu is
Tommy Atkins orTommies
*Film: "A Very Long Engagement "
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