And the so-called "weird ass rifle" is a FAMAS bullpup, one of the better of the modern bullpups available to the military forces today.
And bayonets are knives too - they don't have to fit the rifle, especially on a bullpup.
I'm no Frencie-lover, but you need to remember, it was normally the leaders who surrendered. I have seen French military and police up close, and some of them are tough-ass MFers. Remember the French Resistance in WWII.
In WW1 my grandfather wasnt much keen on the normal frogs, but had a lot of respect for the foreign legion he served alongside with.
The italians on the other hand I cant really repeat what he said about them LOL Suffice to say that when they got moved to the frontline to rest our guys and the poms they always lost ground, after a little while they used to stay behind them with bayonets drawn and heaven help the first poor bastard that turned back to run or abandon their position.
That said, the old fella and his mates used to chat and have a drink sometimes with the germans LOL it depended which ones came up, if it was the normal german conscript they used to have a cease fire, if the prussians replaced them then it was on for young and old.
Weird tales can be had by listening to the older generation.