Clue: WWI French common soldier. They didn’t actively mutiny in the classical sense of the term, thy just refused to attack and stayed in their positions despite the exhortations of their officers. A new term was added to the lexicon of three armies by this unassuming little label for corned beef. The French soldiers assumed that with a name like "Madagascar" it had to contain monkey meat. WWI French common soldier is a crossword puzzle clue. French WW1 Boeuf Boulli. WWI French common soldier is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted 6 times. There are related clues (shown below). On November 18, the offensive in the Somme came to a halt. This was the standard meat ration to the poulis. The battle broke down, with French soldiers worn down by severe weather and Germany’s stubborn resistance.