well to put this in perspective it would be wise to consider the French losses in WWI, and then see if that gives you a little insight into the way the French fought WWII. Full disclosure, I’m British.
I’ve often wondered if wars don’t do a tremendous job to the detriment of the “breeding stock” so to speak. Imagine all the Mountbatten types who were killed while the Blair/Clinton types who avoid service survived. I suspect the constant wars France were involved with really screwed the type and quality of the males who remained to father future generations. Your point regarding World War I is well taken.