[Angelino97]

Thirdly, the majority of fighting men, on all sides, were conscripts: and conscription doesn't select for bravery or any other qualities except a basic level of physical competence.

The first wave of fighters, and casualties, were mostly volunteers. Conscription was introduced only after they ran out of volunteers.

[Menes]

Sorry, but are you sure this was the case with Russia, France, Germany or Austria-Hungary, too?

I remember that conscription in Britain was not instituted until January 1916 - but other European nations had had the draft for decades before WW 1.