First Class Gunner, Artillery Two cannon crossed with a crown above. Best swordsman in Regiment, Cavalry Two sabers crossed with a crown above. Best swordsman in Troop, Cavalry Two sabers crossed with a star above. Best swordsman in every twenty men. Cavalry The same without the star. First Prize Gunner, The letter “G” with a wreath Artillery beneath and a crown above. Second Prize Gunner, The same with a star instead Artillery of the crown. Gun Layer, Artillery The letter “L” with a wreath beneath. A new type of distinguishing mark adopted during the present war consists of pieces of cloth of various shapes worn in the center of the back between the shoulders to enable officers to distinguish the organization to which a man on the firing line belongs. UNIFORMS OF THE FRENCH ARMY Up to within a few years the uniform of the troops of the Line of the French Army consisted of a dark blue coat and red trousers, with caps of the _kepi_ design and white gaiters or short leggings. This uniform was decorated with gold and silver ornamentation and rank insignia and as a variation in the headdress the cavalry wore helmets with plumes. At the time of the Boer War in South Africa the question of a less conspicuous uniform was agitated with the result that a coat of mignonette green (or _reseda_ as it was called in France) was adopted although the red trousers were retained. With this uniform a helmet of the same color as the coat was adopted. Some of the troops still retained the dark blue coats however and discussion as to the uniform to be finally adopted continued. In 1912 a single-breasted sack coat of a light gray-blue color was tried with the blue and red _kepi_, and red trousers which were worn tight around the calves of the legs. The wrap puttee was also worn to some extent. Shortly after the beginning of the present war it was demonstrated by service in the field that the red trousers and gold trimmings were too conspicuous for modern field service, and as a result a uniform of the light gray-blue color, known as “horizon blue,” was adopted for both officers and enlisted men on field service, but the old dress uniforms were not abolished though not worn during war. In this uniform simplicity was sought and all bright buttons, insignia and trimmings were reduced to a minimum with the object of securing a serviceable and inconspicuous uniform.