What were French infantrymen called in WWI?

Answer 1

Yes, "Poilu" is correct. Blue-coated fighting men they were, the French in the First World War. Brave, good men all, fighting for home.

Speaking as an American infantryman with two long tours in Iraq and many friends in NATO militaries developed over the years, those of you who put down bullshit answers about how the "French are cowards" and such wouldn't last five minutes before a French military man, let alone a French cop. You all are a through disgrace to the human race. If you're civilians, I understand, as you haven't put your life on the line in combat and you don't know any better than to be stupid and to imitate stupid people - who - SURPRISE - have also never put their lives in front of harm's way.

If you're a military man, YOU KNOW BETTER than to disrespect the French fighting man of the First World War, who fought bravely and tragically under bad leadership. Read about Verdun, or any of the great battles of that time period and take a look at the pictures. Tell yourself those men are cowards, and take a look in the mirror. You'll see a liar and a fraud. Live with it.

Answer 2

Poilu was the nickname.

Those that wrote "cowards", "surrender boys", ... should be ashamed but I dough if they are intelligent enough for that. If there are cowards to be called it should be those that wrote this.
If their is still ANY intelligence left in your brain, delete your answer before everyone sees what kind of person you are.

Many of the deaths French were caused because they were too courageous by attacking against all odds. Battle of the Frontiers, Marne, Dixmuide, VERDUN, Somme, ... are as many times proof of courage. They went over the top many times ... just to be killed.
One example : as the battle of Verdun started the first front lines were pulverised by a massive artillery bombardment. The Germans were much surprised that the very few survivors fought a desperate battle till the bitter end to give their fellow soldiers the time to organise themselves in the following lines.

Before insulting those brave men, read about WWI first. I can only have deep respect for them and VERY DEEP DISLIKE for those that wrote such unrespectfull things.

Answer 3

If They Were Infantry They Were Cannon Fodder Just Like Anyone Else In The Trenches. Courageous Brave And Heroic Are Other Superlatives But Never Coward!
Please Don't Disrespect The Fallen Of WW1!!!

Answer 4

indeed POILU there are 2 different explanations for that
- because they had almost all a moustache and or a barb
- in that time in the french langue is poilu also a word for a brave person
For the moment there are just 4 poilu still alive in France and all are over the age of 105

Calling the french soldiers cowards isn't polite if you look at the numbers of dead that the french had ( battle of Verdun 163 000 dead for example )
lets have a bid of respect for the fallen ones

Answer 5

French Infantryman

Answer 6

Dear Annie,

French infantrymen during WWI were called "poilus" in slang, due to the thick moustaches many of them wore.

To all those who posted funny answers here: not only are you shamefully disrespectful, you are also ignorant of history. French soldiers did not surrender during WWI.

They did not surrender in 1776 either, for that matter, although many might blame them for this today. You just can't please everyone...

Regards,

Answer 7

Best I could find:

This page is a list of French army formations existing during World War I.

First Army
Second Army
Third Army
Fourth Army
Fifth Army
Sixth Army
Seventh Army
Eighth Army
Ninth Army
Tenth Army

More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_French_armies_in_WWI

Answer 8

the coolest clarification why American squaddies have been noted as “doughboys” for the time of international conflict I is doubtful. One concept posits that it replaced right into a derisive nickname utilized by using the British and French against U.S. squaddies whom they seen as mushy and naive.)

Answer 9

Elderly gentleman was going through French passport control enroute to a Normandy ceremony. The passport control agent got snotty with him when he had trouble getting out his passport. The agent asked if the gentleman had been to France before and when the gentleman replied yes, the agent told him he should have known to have his passport out and ready. The elderly gentleman replied," The last time I was here, I came across the beach and I couldn't even find any Frenchmen to show anything to!"

Answer 10

The French soldiers were called "Poilu," meaning "hairy," referring to their customary thick whiskers.