Periscope use in a French first line trench, 1915. The “French are cowards concerning military and always surrender” myth was not originated in WWI, as some may believe, but inevitably after the German invasion of 1940 and the later instalment of the puppet state of Vichy. During WWII, not only the French did generally show extremely courage and bravery, fighting in their colonies, and even penetrating in German soil in 1939, but also had a long history of victories on Europe. The myth, mainly propagated with bad intention by the U.S. died during the 50s. Sadly, in the last years, the myth is being used again, not only on a pure humorous way, but as a critical and harmful accusation in relation on the resurgence of France refusing to back Bush's war effort in Iraq.

PS: No, I’m not French.