THE BATTLE OF FRANCE
IV. Tell yourself that attitudes of mind which
seem natural to us because they are what we are
accustomed to in Great Britain, can, without our
realizing it, shock and even wound a Frenchman*
We like human beings to treat one another with a
certain amount of indifference. Our allies demand
more than that. Always show a French friend a little
more consideration than you would an English
friend.
V. The women of the houses in which you are
living will often be under your sole protection.
Treat them as you would like your own wives and
daughters to be treated in your absence. You will
see them in the French country districts engaged in
very heavy work and doing their best to replace
their men. As far as your military duties allow you,
help them.
VI. Strive to become good soldiers. Our enemy
is trying by this long respite and these false alarms
to lull us to sleep and weary us. Make good use of
all this waiting and make exercises of the false alarms.
Make yourselves familiar with your arms. Apply
yourself to making your battalion, your battery or
your squadron a crack unit. What time and
tradition have done for famous regiments you now
have the opportunity and leisure to do for yours.
Attach great importance to the details of your
clothing and your discipline. The value of an army
lies in its habits.
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