In the war of 1870 these troops became greatly feared and hated by the Germans, because of their trick of "playing possum" until the enemy passed and then springing up and striking from the rear. They are impetuous fighters, and the difficulty the French generals find in their employment is to hold them back at times when to charge the enemy is foolhardy. [Illustration: THE TERRIBLE TURCOS-NATIVE ALGERIANS IN THE FRENCH ARMY PHOTO © UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD, N.Y.] Sharp Shooters of France There are thirty battalions of "chausseurs alpins," who spend half each year in the French Alps. Each carries an alpenstock and a pack. They are among the hardiest and best trained French infantry, skilled with the rifle and in mountain warfare. Among the Vosges Mountains they tied themselves in trees, so when wounded they would not drop and betray their position. The mule is a useful creature in time of war--especially in the commissary department, to carry pots, pans and provisions. Like the burro of the American southwest, the Alpine mule is a sure-footed climber. [Illustration: SHARP SHOOTERS OF FRANCE PHOTO © UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD, N.Y.] The Famous Scots Greys The Royal Scots Greys were the first regiment of dragoons raised in Great Britain (1681). There are now half a score of dragoon guard and dragoon regiments, all mounted and equipped as medium heavy cavalry. They are armed with carbine and sabre, and wear metal helmets (except the Scots Greys). This noted regiment has served with distinction in all parts of the world, and has already counted big in the British defense in France and Belgium. The "Grey" does not refer to the uniform, but to the horses, which all have their tails trimmed half-short. [Illustration: THE FAMOUS SCOTS GRAYS PHOTO © UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD, N.Y.] The Grenadier Guards--British Veterans of the Boer War In the Boer War the Grenadier Guards shared the brunt of the fighting, and it was in South Africa that their leader lost his arm. The Prince of Wales is a second lieutenant in this regiment. The building on the right of the picture is Buckingham Palace. [Illustration: THE GRENADIER GUARDS--BRITISH VETERANS OF THE BOER WAR PHOTO © UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD, N.Y.] British Field Artillery at the Marne This 18-pound ordnance is of English make, and will shoot both faster and farther than the Krupp guns. Its caliber is 3.3 inches, and the muzzle velocity 1,600 feet per second. The gunners are able to get away 29 shots per minute, while the German rate of fire is only twenty. The maximum effective range is 6,300 yards against 6,000 for any other gun of its class. Each gun and carriage weighs 2,690 pounds. There are six guns in a battery, and the number of rounds of ammunition normally issued is 176 per gun.