The Century of Wars

At the beginning of the war, French infantrymen, endearingly called poilu (hairy one), wore the traditional blue coats, rouge pantaloons and hats. Since it proved disadvantageous on the battlefield, after
1915 they were equipped with horizon blue uniforms, providing better camouflage.

Helmet

In 1915 the so-called Adrian helmet became the standard combat helmet
in the French Army.

Lebel Model 1886 rifle

This rifle, considered the first modern repeater, was
a model for other countries
to follow.

F-1 grenade

Modern hand grenades became standard weapons
of soldiers on both sides as a result of trench warfare.

Chauchat light machine gun

This light machine gun, named after its French designer, was widely used by armies of a number
of countries.

Of all the soldiers fighting in the Great War the Germans, present on all fronts, were probably under the greatest pressure. On the Western Front, which claimed the largest number of casualties, they faced alone the British and the French, and later the American armies.

Helmet

It was introduced in the German army in 1916. It provided better protection to the soldiers than the British or the French version.

Stick grenade

In British Army slang, they were called ’potato mashers’.

Mauser Gewehr 98 rifle

This was probably the best bolt-action rifle ever made. One of its variants was still the standard rifle of the German army in WWII.

Bergmann MG 15nA machine gun

This weapon, introduced in 1916, was capable of firing 500–600 rounds per minute.