"New book "Poilu" is definitely a must read!" Topic

Just finishing the new book POILU: THE WWW1 NOTEBOOKS OF CORPORAL LOUIS BARTHAS, BARRELMAKER, 1914-1918. Pretty amazing account written by a guy from Southern France who served in the trenches for 4 long years and (amazingly) survived. The collection of notebooks left by the author was originally published in French back in the late 70s, but this is the first time it's appeared in English. The book really gives you a feel for the lousy conditions, mud, terror, rats, rotting corpses, artillery barrages, etc. etc. that were the daily life of trench warfare. You appreciate that nobody was really safe – even behind the lines they were subject to frequent artillery attacks. The author was a committed socialist, and sprinkles his perspective with lots of vitriol directed at the elitist attitudes of the officer class. He really seemed to hate them more than the Germans. Great read!

I read this while on vacation this summer and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was especially moved by the contempt frontline soldiers harbored for the officers. The book is well written and enjoyable to read!

Agreed! Am reading it now and I feel the need to create a later war French army. A "must read" if WWI interests you.

I'd be interested to see how we might incorporate some of the realities of WW1 trench warfare revealed by this book into war gaming. For example:

- Troops getting lost in the trenches: the author relates how difficult it was to find one's way through the maze of trenches, which were often collapsed or otherwise impassable. Troops would lose their way, get bunched up, and otherwise face numerous obstacles. He relates that frequently it would take them hours to move only a kilometer or two. I think units move way too quickly through trenches in our war games.

- Hatred for officers: the author's contempt for most of his NCOs and officers was widely shared in the ranks. They would readily disobey commands if they considered them unreasonable or too dangerous. Especially when they were out in a forward trench enduring awful weather conditions. I think our troops on the table are way too responsive to officers (in other words, us)!

Don

Hi DWilliams;
I purchased this book after reading your post here and am really enjoying the read.
One thing that strikes me is the pessimism that starts pretty early in the war about actually surviving the next attack and how the applauding for going to war ended pretty quickly.
I liked the "Scarecrow" fake attack they pulled on the Germans to get them out of their bunkers.
Thanks;
Joe