CERTAIN FLAWS IN THIS PRINT
COULD NOT BE REMOVED DURING RESTORATION.
WOODEN CROSSES
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
IN THE NEWS TODAY
"The government asks this noble nation to remain calm
and not be carried away by unjustified emotion."
They'll return our five billion.
We were here first!
RECRUITING OFFICE Lieutenant, we want to go!
We want to go! Three cheers for the army!
GENERAL CONSCRIPTION
THE MAYOR OF THE 8TH ARRONDISSEMENT ANNOUNCES
A GENERAL CONSCRIPTION ON AUGUST 2ND.
Time to open up!
- Give me my sausage. - We'll tell the police.
He'd open in a flash if the Krauts came knocking!
Look at the rookies!
What's your rush? The war's over!
You men go that way.
You others, this way.
Just a minute!
Selling funeral wreaths now?
I make a better profit than on groceries!
Reinforcements, boys.
Fifth Squadron?
I'm Corporal Breval.
You got a good deal.
They're good as new.
What's your name?
Gilbert Demachy, enlistee.
Another one who thinks he's tough!
Careful what you wish for!
Shut your mouth, you big coward!
Don't judge the whole squadron by him.
That's Bouffioux, our cook.
Never washes, so he can't get any dirtier.
That's Fouillard, our very own dandy.
Amel's the serious one, the grandpa to the company.
Belin's crafty and sings like a nightingale.
Hello, kid.
Cuby here's a lot meaner than he looks.
Vairon here's from your hometown.
A real gentleman.
Hey, old nut! How the hell did we end up here?
Hey, you clodhoppers! Lemoine!
He's not as slow as he looks.
Broucke here doesn't know the meaning of fear.
And finally Lagny, the captain's liaison. - What about me?
Don't I deserve an introduction?
You'll hear this one crowing a lot.
Sulphart, company loudmouth.
Look who's talking.
Still, if I were boss here,
I'd skip the introductions and give this rookie some tips.
Listen to him.
Isn't he cute in his little cap?
Come here, kid.
That's better already.
My God, that's heavy! You got rocks in there?
No, cartridges.
They're safer in my haversack in case we're attacked.
Attacked!
Send out the dogs! This man's mad!
You may never even fire a shot.
My poor boy, the fighting's over.
You're too late.
You should've been there for the Marne retreat.
I'd have loved to join earlier and be part of a victory.
He's some little fighter!
Well, I'll tell you the tale.
We went two weeks without pay after Charleroi.
At the last minute, they tossed us each 15 sous.
If you hear guys talking about the Marne, tell them this:
The winners got 15 sous each out of that little adventure!
Bravo, Sulphart! Well said for a drunkard!
I didn't know. I thought we were going to fight.
You're breaking my heart. Someone has to look out for you.
I offer you my aid and protection.
- I'd like that. - Poor sap. Careful what you wish for.
You're too good a target. Let's blacken your things up a bit.
Save your song and dance until he's settled in.
Shut up, hayseed!
Let's blacken that mess kit up too. Come with me.
If you should want to buy us a round, just say the word.
- Sure. - Pass those flasks.
- Get whatever you want. - Thanks, pal.
Bring back the change!
They're not dishonest, just thirsty.
- What a showoff! - Ah, can it.
Just set your stuff -
Take my place. - I don't want to put you out.
Don't worry. We're not short on floor space.
Hand me that sack and the rest of your gear.
We'll get you settled in like a little prince.
There-you're all moved in!
Wine's herel Cheersl
Come on. Let's have a drink.
Save some for us!
They're very funny. I knew it'd be more fun than the barracks.
Don't be so sure. It's not always like this.
Here.
Tobacco? - No, thanks.
What line of work were you in?
I was finishing law school.
You? - Pastry chef.
Married, with one little girl.
That's what makes this so hard.
The party goes on!
I saw a plum tree heavy with fruit
Fair weather's here
Fair weather's here, tra-la-la as long as it lasts
Fair weather's here for lovers
I threw my stick up to knock down some plums
As happy as could be to have so many
Fair weather's here, tra-la-la as long as it lasts
Fair weather's here for lovers
Our student's having a rough time. That'll teach him.
They have it easy back home.
Give me your gun. One more won't make a difference.
Returning from Montmartre to Paris
I saw a plum tree heavy with fruit
Fair weather's here, tra-la-la as long as it lasts
Fair weather's here for lovers
Pass it on: Watch out for the wires.
Slow down up there. We're losing them.
Pass it on: Slow down. We're losing them.
Gun in hand, head down.
Don't bother. You're going back upstairs.
- What? - You and Lemoine are on first watch.
Sure, always the same necks on the line.
- The complaint window's closed. - Some squadron!
- You're nuts to take your shoes off. - Why?
- We're on alert. - Don't worry. I'll go in my socks.
I just want some sleep.
Nobody'd better bother me!
Everybody shut up!
Good night, my friends.
She hasn't written in two weeks.
It's never been this long.
It's driving me crazy!
Hey, Vairon.
Do they treat you well when you go on leave?
They don't poke us with pitchforks. That's about all I can say.
What's that stench?
Smells like a barber shop.
Our buddy here smells like a dame!
Think we'll see more battle?
To hell with battle. I've got lice to deal with.
You're right there.
Lice, cops and profiteers: They're the worst.
At least you can kill the lice.
You old rascal!
Time for some target practice.
They're not attacking! Don't bug 'em now!
Just keeping my gun warm.
Who fired that shot?
Sergeant Morache is coming! Now you've done it.
Let him come.
Did you fire that shot?
I want to know who it was.
You again, Sulphart?
- Silence. I gave orders. - It's the first time -
No discussion. You'll be punished.
Fine, we won't kill the Krauts.
But what the heck are we doing here then?
Breval, it's time for patrol. What are you waiting for?
Yes, Sergeant.
Any volunteers?
I'll go. Gilbert Demachy.
I'll go with you. Vairon.
I could use the fresh air.
You'll go with Sergeant Berthier up to the Germans' barbed wire
to see if their post is still manned.
No shots are to be fired.
Follow me, boys.
Get down!
Demachy, come with me.
The rest of you, stay here.
Go!
Alert! Attack!
Hurry up, boys!
- Where's my gun? - Where are my shoes?
Hold your fire! Our patrol's coming back!
Artillery's firing short, sir!
Contact artillery. Tell them to advance their line of fire!
There they are!
One of ours! Sergeant Berthier!
Did everyone make it back?
All but one: Vairon.
Poor Vairon. He was with us from the start.
You couldn't bring him back?
No, he was killed instantly. Chest blown to bits.
I told you those 75s were firing too close.
Those guys in artillery!
Our hides don't mean much to 'em!
- The blood! - Weren't ready for that, were you?
Breval!
What is it?
- They're digging down there! - What?
- They're laying a mine. - You crazy?
Listen.
Shut that guy up!
Lemoine!
- What? - Shut up!
No doubt about it. They're digging a mine.
Someone's digging. That's for sure.
- Inform the sergeant. - I'll go.
Morache and Berthier are coming with an officer from engineering.
- Where is it? - Right here.
You're right. We should have expected this.
They blew up a post last month.
What do we do?
I'll notify the commandant.
I'll get our instructions.
What about us? Do we have to stay here?
Of course.
We can't abandon Mount Calvary, can we?
No need to worry. They've got a long way to go.
There's no danger.
Right?
You never know.
Fine. We get it.
We're done for.
No, boys, they just started digging.
- Want some, Sulphart? - No, thanks. I prefer wine.
Cut me a slice. I've still got my appetite.
Those bastards work even at night!
Here's the soup.
Quick.
Here you go, boys.
And here's a flask of hooch. - Not bad.
And your mail.
The soup's still hot.
You're in an awful hurry.
I'd stay if those were my orders.
Not even half full for boys facing death.
If I save this hide, I swear the newspapers will hear about this.
Laying it on thick for the missus?
Cut the jokes. This isn't the time.
"...tender kisses. Your Suzy"
The pounding stopped. They're setting the explosives.
This is it.
They're gonna blow us up. - Stay put!
We all go together, my friend.
- It started again! - They're still digging!
We're saved!
I knew it wasn't ready!
Those scoundrels won't get us!
Dig away, bastards! We don't care!
We don't give a damn!
- Shut up! - We'll be dead before you blow us up!
I don't give a damn!
It doesn't matter.
Tomorrow is a long way off.
Good God! We've been here two days and two nights.
- How about some target practice? - Good idea.
I'll send up a flare.
Don't despair, boys. We'll be relieved tomorrow.
If we're still here!
What time is it now?
4:00.
We won't be relieved until 9:00 at the earliest.
Night falls late these days.
They'll take their time, trust me!
At least this guy's happy.
Don't wake him up.
What time is it?
9:07.
Relief's here!
Hurry up!
Get that pack on, and hurry.
Get those packs on, and hurry it up!
Let 'em out first. You can settle in later.
- They're laying a mine? - Yes.
We're done for.
No, you'll make it. We did.
- See? Never give up hope. - We're not out yet.
Rotten luck if they blow us up now!
- Let me by. - Hey, I'm standing here.
So long and good luck, boys.
Move it!
How many of them were there?
Eleven, and four gunners.
Forward marchl
If you want to make me a happy man
Marguerite, Marguerite
If you want to make me a happy man
Marguerite, give me your heart
- A can of sardines! - I'm all out!
Don't touch!
Camembert is 32 francs. Too much? Fine!
How much is the sausage?
Get your filthy hands off my goods.
- Give me those peas. - Where's my sausage?
That's my sausage, ratface. Give me those peas.
He cut in front of everyone!
- Sausage? - Yes. Gilbert, you pay.
You're a bright lad, but you don't make enough noise.
You have to shout, no matter what.
It's the only way to get your due.
See? It's like I said: You forget everything.
No service if you keep it up, you swine!
- Hey, over here! - Mother's milk for old-timers!
- This is against regulations. - Relax. I'm in good with the general.
It burns me up that they made Morache a lieutenant!
- He never did a thing. - Don't try to understand.
He'll work us like dogs!
Starting tomorrow morning, full inspection!
Some way to spend a day off!
I can hear him yelling now!
Company...
left!
Forward... march!
Company, march!
Port arms! First Company!
Come on, move it!
Sergeant Berthier, up front!
Fall in behind me in two rows!
Third Squadron!
Move it!
Are you men asleep?
Are you?
At ease.
Attention! At ease.
Attention!
I don't want to see any torn trousers.
His shoes are dirty. These men are disgusting, Morache.
Make sure they're clean.
You know, lice aren't all that bad.
They suck out what ails you.
Take my little brother:
Lice cured his meningitis.
No more free lunch for this one!
The nastiest are the red lice, the army lice.
The ones with the Iron Cross?
It's great having nothing to do.
What are you thinking about, Sulphart?
When I was called up from the factory,
I left my uniforms and tools at the local bistro.
"Set them aside," I said. "I'll be back for them
on my way home from Berlin."
You'll get them back.
I say the war will be over in three months.
And I spent all my leave in the brig.
No use complaining. We're treated like dirt.
If Morache tells you to kiss his ass,
you've no choice but to help him pull down his pants.
This is a republic, right? Everyone should be equal.
What's equality mean, Sulphart?
It means you can tell anyone to go to hell!
Mail, boys.
Broucke.
Demachy.
Sulphart.
Belin.
Lemoine.
Demachy again.
Bourel... Boural?
Sure it's not Breval?
Her handwriting's so bad, I wouldn't be surprised.
No, it's for a guy in the Second Company.
A package for Amel,
and a letter for Vairon.
Let me have that.
Protect us, O Lady of the Dogfaces.
We accept it all:
guard duty in the rain,
sleepless nights, days with no bread.
At least let us live.
That's all we ask:
To go on living...
or at least to never lose faith...
to continue to hope despite everything...
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Feast your eyes on those curves!
Calm down. That's for the officers.
Golden and sweet, good enough to eat!
Hold me back or I'll do something stupid.
Third Squadron, over here for handouts.
What handouts?
Let's go see.
Hurry it up. Who doesn't have a knife?
Come on! It's a good deal!
I'm giving them away!
Grip the knife firmly.
One stab and it's done!
Let me try.
I'll show you how it's done. Get back, kid.
There!
Still gonna complain that my meat is tough?
What of it? You're not a cook anymore.
- No more cushy jobs for you. - The trenches will show you!
Here's one for you.
What do I need this for? Back home I'm a bookseller!
They told me to pass out knives, so I pass out knives!
If they said umbrellas, I'd pass out umbrellas!
Where are you going, little lambs?
To the slaughterhouse!
Add feathers and you could pass for a bird!
The ladies like it. I'm keeping it.
Let's go!
They're passing out helmets, knives, cigars -
something's fishy.
Time to slip off to the seaside.
- It's not the season. - I wasn't planning on swimming.
They say this is the last big push. Have you heard that?
That's just artillery spouting off.
I'm confident we'll break through.
Me too. I have every hope.
What a laugh!
You think the Krauts are gonna stand by and watch?
If only we could be sure they treated prisoners well.
Sounds like we're in for stormy weatherl
I say it's over before it even starts. They know we're attacking.