Popular Science Moiifhlf/ 



100 



How the poilu is taught to handle the bayonet. Here he is advancing against an imaginary 

 enemy. The dummy figures which can be seen in the background are bayonet targets 



through a rigorous course of training. 

 Life in the trenches is far from easy. 

 The men must be in fine condition if they 

 are to stand the hardships. Herbert 

 wants to bring out the best in every man. 

 First of all he makes the men strip to the 

 waist. This toughens their skins and 

 enables them to stand severe weather. 

 The training consists in climbing trees, 

 running on their hands and feet, rolling 

 on the ground, fording streams and 

 practising military tactics. The men train 

 every day no matter what the weather 

 conditions may be. They are taught to 



throw grenades, charge trenches, use 

 bayonets effectively and handle all the 

 delicate machines and weapons which 

 have been developed by this war. 



As an example of what this training 

 will do, take the case of an attack in a 

 real battle which took place last April. 

 A group of thirty-four grenadiers which 

 was quickly reduced to twenty-six, 

 threw eight thousand, five hundred hand 

 grenades in three hours and a half. If 

 these men had not been in the best 

 physical condition such a feat would have 

 been absolutely impossible. 



French soldiers at one of the Herbert military schools. The men are developing their 

 muscles by walking on their elbows and their toes. They always work stripped to the waist 



