What does LBDF mean in FRENCH

The LBDF stands for Le Bataillon Des Fous, a French military unit created during World War I. It was mainly comprised of soldiers who had been declared mentally unfit to serve in the regular French Army due to their psychological injuries. The members of the LBDF went on to become some of the most respected and decorated soldiers of WWI.

The members of the LBDF were mainly made up of veterans from other French regiments who had been discharged due to mental health issues such as shell shock and post-traumatic stress disorder.

During WWI, the LBDF performed an array of different tasks ranging from scouting enemy positions, providing cover fire for advancing troops, and destroying enemy supplies and equipment. With their unconventional tactics, they caused havoc amongst German forces in key battles such as Verdun and Arras.

The formation of the LBFD began after a suggestion by French Colonel Charles Naughton. He proposed that those deemed “too mad” or “too sad” to fight in regular infantry units be drafted into what became known as “the Mad Battalion" – or LFBD in French.

Yes, despite its unconventional approach, which saw them engaging in hand-to-hand combat and other unorthodox tactics, it quickly proved itself effective on the battlefield against heavily armed German forces. So much so that General Foch praised them for their bravery and referred to them as his "honour guard".

The LBDF used a range of weapons including improvised bombs, grenades, light machine guns and trench mortars. Their effectiveness was demonstrated when they captured two crossing points over an enemy canal at Maing near Cambrai with only 15 men following a brief battle with artillery fire and explosions.

With precision aim and exceptional courage, they succeeded in shocking German forces into submission several times throughout WW1 while suffering minimal casualties themselves – turning many desperate situations into triumphant ones.