How French soldiers train for trench warfare
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked the return of high-intensity warfare in Europe. Now, almost three years later and with the conflict showing no signs of abating, France is gearing itself up to fight. FRANCE 24 reports from a military camp in northeastern France where soldiers train for combat in trenches.
A dozen young French soldiers advance cautiously in single file in a trench in the east of France. Armed with assault rifles and light machine guns, the infantrymen explore the gutters, taking care not to get too close to each other – a standard precaution to avoid the entire troop being decimated by an enemy grenade.
“Bunker on the left! Minimi in support!,” the leader of the group suddenly shouts.
A soldier equipped with the Minimi, a light machine gun, immediately stops and positions himself, the weapon aimed at the target. Another soldier removes a grenade from his tactical vest, ready to throw it as soon as he is given the command.
Sweat drips through the camouflage paint on the young soldier’s faces. Everyone is deadly focused.
The colours of the grenade (light blue) and the gun magazines (bright yellow) are a reminder that this is only a drill – taking place here, in Alsace, in northeastern France, bordering Germany and Switzerland.
Training for combat
Here, there are no simulated artillery strikes, sniper fire or drones flying over the trenches – tactics that have become a common sight on the Ukrainian front.
*The French army allows only the publication of first names when speaking to the press.
