Source: File: red trousers, dark blue double-breasted greatcoat, red kepi
(with dark blue cover), black leather accoutrements..jpg, Uniform and
Equipment of 1914
. Kirklees Image
Archive [online] Available at: <http://www.151ril.com/content/gear/1914>
Accessed: 5 December 2014].
In striking news
from Paris,
The army of
France moved
To make a
significant change,
Almost without
realisation.
The army of the
French nation,
Had started to
lose its red trousers.
For nearly a
century the 'piopiou,'
Had worn the
rouge pantalon.
Despite disputes
of practicality,
That the colour
was retained.
An odd comment
suggested ,
The likelihood of
a French kilt -
But remained
unlikely - trousers
Were to be worn
in grey blue tone.
The transition
has not been easy -
Prompted by
severity of this war
The decision was
sadly taken,
By positions
somewhere on high.
Historically the
idea had been,
For boldness in
colored attack,
With mentality of
the soldier,
To be 'attaque à outrance.'
Yet the change
was not sudden -
The red could
still be seen,
On soldiers about
the streets.
Made of 'madder'
wool of Turkey
Red, had oddly
died out in France -
With alarizine
dye from Germany,
Continuing an
ensured supply.
Akin to battles
of 19th century,
The madder
trouser would surely
Vanish, when 'gris de fer bleuté'
Arrived in
greater quantity.
With hard lessons
learnt,
That the
alarizine had helped
Germans to target
French men -
The adoption of a
new uniform,
Was seen not just
as practical,
But evoking a newer
smartness,
To appeal to all new
recruits.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1914. Red
Trousers – French Army’s Farewell. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 5 Dec. p.11. Col.6-7. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11271130/Daily-Telegraph-December-5-1914.html
[Accessed: 5 December 2014].
http://www.151ril.com/content/gear/1914
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