"Le pantalon rouge c'est la France!"

Before the war there was talk about changing the French uniform. Other countries were adopting less colorful uniforms. The famous cry from Minister of War Eugene Etienne to parliament was "Eliminate the red trousers ? Never! The red pants are France!" So the French soldier marched off to battle wearing bright red pants. The British in khaki and the Germans in field grey.

Three members of the 170th regiment wearing their double breasted overcoats.


This photo was taken in Rochefort. It is dated October 4th, 1914.