In this scene from Paths of Glory, the men in the trenches are unable to advance, knowing that if they get out of the trench and move into no man's land, they will be slaughtered. General Mireau becomes hysterical. "They're not advancing. Miserable cowards." He orders his battery commander to fire upon his own men.

The famous statement (see below) captures the essence of the First World War: "If those little sweethearts won't face German bullets, they'll face French bullets."

If the French soldiers won't consent to being shot by the Germans, the French military will shoot them. DIE OR WE WILL KILL YOU.

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