1949 Press Photo French Trainees cross through gun bullets during hard training

With the memory of the 1940 debacle fresh in mind and tensions of the "cold war" tight as ever, the French Army is feverishly pulling itself up by its own bootstraps. The coal is to build a modern Army of specialists to fit into whatever role the Western European Defense Union and the Atlantic Pact members give to France. Army Training has become more Scientific. The 20 year old conscript spends only two months in basic training, learning to handle a pistol, rifle, carbine and machine gun, grenades and mines and to master Infantry tactics under fire, in the remaining ten months of his year hitch, the French GI becomes an expert in one of many military fields. But lack of funds hampers the plans of French Army leaders. Equipment is usually surpluses American, rapidly becoming outdated. Without replacement parts. Pay remains meager and the number of soldiers itself is restricted by finances. Nevertheless, the army is active, making plans, training and using its curtailed resources as best it can. While machine gun bullets sing over their heads, French trainees cross a stream on underwater explosions will be set off.

Photo is dated 1949.

Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches.