Poilu

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Poilu (

The image of the dogged, bearded French soldier was widely used in propaganda and war memorials.^[5] The stereotype of the poilu was of bravery and endurance, but not always of unquestioning obedience. At the disastrous

The last surviving poilu from World War I was Pierre Picault. However, French authorities recognised Lazare Ponticelli—who had served in the French Foreign Legion as an Italian citizen—as the last poilu, as he was the last veteran whose service met the strict official criteria.^[6] Lazare Ponticelli died in Le Kremlin-Bicêtre on 12 March 2008, aged 110.^[7]

See also

• A Very Long Engagement, a French film in which poilus are featured
• Verdun: Visions of History, a silent French film about Poilus in the Battle of Verdun
• Digger, referring to Australian and New Zealand soldiers
• Doughboy, referring to American soldiers
• Mehmetçik, referring to Ottoman soldiers
• Tommy, referring to British soldiers

References