Bilton, David Images of War. The French Army in the Great War. Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives

There have been few books written in English about the French Army during the Great War. Those that have are scarcely illustrated. This book aims to provide a highly readable and succinct account of the work of the French Army on the Western Front, as well as provide the reader with a wealth of photographs that show the daily life of the French soldier both in and out of the trenches. All of the images are contemporary, many coming from war-time and post-war magazines, interspersed with many previously unpublished images. The book aims to give a concise overview of the war seen through French eyes and includes the casualties incurred. Although the May 1917 mutinies were an important but brief part of the story, they are not dealt with at any length because they can distract from the main story of the valour shown by the French troops in battles were the casualties were extremely high. Also included is a lengthy introduction which explains the structure of the army at the onset of the war, some of the problems it faced, and a section that looks at the uniforms worn and how they changed during the war.

All the pictures are contemporary, many are from war and post-war magazines and include many previously unpublished illustrations. The book is intended to give a brief overview of the war as seen through French eyes and to emphasise the losses incurred. Although the mutinies of May 1917 were an important but brief part of the story, they are not covered in detail as they can distract from the main story of valour shown by French troops in battles where casualties were extremely high. Also included is a detailed introduction showing the structure of the French army at the beginning of the war. There are also accounts of some of the problems the army faced, as well as a section on uniforms and how they changed during the war.