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The Poilu: 1914-18 Trivia Quiz

The French soldier served with distinction on the Western Front despite enormous hardships. He was a soldier like other soldiers.

A multiple-choice quiz by beterave. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
beterave

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
302,089

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
521

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Why was there great reluctance to use the Foreign Legion troops in France in 1914? Hint

there were logistical problems getting it to France

it was needed in the colonies

it contained too many Germans

by law, it could only serve outside of France

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Question 2 of 10

2. What were the "tirailleurs"? Hint

all of these

soldiers from Senegal

soldiers from Algeria

soldiers from Morocco

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Question 3 of 10

3. Every Senegalese soldier carried a particular weapon. Which? Hint

a machete

a ceremonial dagger

a butcher knife

a trench knife

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Question 4 of 10

4. The French infantryman carried everything he needed, including cooking utensils. What is a boutheon? Hint

a portable stove

assorted cooking utensils

a haversack for rations

a squad size mess kit

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Question 5 of 10

5. The zouave troops were colorful with their red pantaloons and short jackets. They were designated light infantry yet carried a more laden pack. Why? Hint

they did not use horses for transport

it was a tradition from campaigning in Africa

all of these

there were fewer of them, so they carried more equipment

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was the difference between the 1905-15 Berthier rifle and the 1916 model Berthier rifle? Hint

its sight aperature

it had a dust cover

it was clip fed

an extended magazine

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Question 7 of 10

7. What did the Poilu call his basic meat ration? Hint

monkey meat

bad cow meat

dog meat

donkey meat

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Question 8 of 10

8. What kind of troops were the chasseurs a pied? Hint

light infantry

zouaves

combat engineers

shock troops

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Question 9 of 10

9. When was leave granted in the French army during WWI? Hint

after a successful engagement

after a unit was one third its combat strength

almost never

it had a rotational period

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was the name of the French officer whose doctrine led to the horrendous casualties of 1914? Hint

Girard

Picard

Grandmaison

Richer

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Why was there great reluctance to use the Foreign Legion troops in France in 1914?

Answer: it contained too many Germans

The Legion Etrangere contained a large number of German nationals. This was a cause for concern when France went to war with Germany. This problem was solved by posting the Germans to Syria and various outposts in North Africa. Nonetheless, many still insisted their allegiance was to the Legion and still saw service on the Western Front.

2. What were the "tirailleurs"?

Answer: all of these

The "tirailleurs" were soldiers from all of France's colonies. "Tirailleur" literally means rifleman or sharpshooter. They wore mustard colored uniforms and distinct insignia on their Adrian helmets. Some of the battalions were the most decorated in the French Army.

3. Every Senegalese soldier carried a particular weapon. Which?

Answer: a machete

Every Senegalese soldier carried a shortened machete which was known as a 'coupe coupe'. The Germans dreaded these soldiers who were known to collect ears from their victims.

4. The French infantryman carried everything he needed, including cooking utensils. What is a boutheon?

Answer: a squad size mess kit

The boutheon was a squad size mess kit that was used for preparing the field rations. It served as a boiling pot for meat and vegetables.

5. The zouave troops were colorful with their red pantaloons and short jackets. They were designated light infantry yet carried a more laden pack. Why?

Answer: all of these

The zouaves troops carried more equipment because of all of the stated reasons. The primary reason dates back from their formation in North Africa. It was necessary to carry more because re-supply was never a certainty.

6. What was the difference between the 1905-15 Berthier rifle and the 1916 model Berthier rifle?

Answer: an extended magazine

The model 1916 Berthier had an extended magazine. The 1905-15 model was 3 round clip fed, whereas the 1916 model was able to hold two extra rounds - a minor improvement, at best.

7. What did the Poilu call his basic meat ration?

Answer: monkey meat

The Poilu called the greasy and stringy ration "singe" which means monkey. Of course this is its milder name.

8. What kind of troops were the chasseurs a pied?

Answer: light infantry

The chasseurs a pied were light infantry who excelled at skirmishing, scouting, and marksmanship. They were the equivalent to the German "j�ger troops.

9. When was leave granted in the French army during WWI?

Answer: almost never

Leave in the French army was never a right or a guarantee. It was only given grudgingly and sparingly. When it was given, men had to get to wherever they were going as best they could. Rest after a prolonged engagement usually meant rest in an area not far from the front lines and within range of German artillery.

10. What was the name of the French officer whose doctrine led to the horrendous casualties of 1914?

Answer: Grandmaison

Colonel Grandmaison's doctrine of 'attack, always attack', never envisioned entrenched formations with machine guns and rapid firing artillery. This doctrine was quickly shown to be obsolete in the first week of the war.

Source: Author beterave

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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