During World War I, the beard was entirely and permanently eliminated for the vast majority of troops, for the simple reason that if you had a beard, your gas mask wouldn’t seal.
That said, the ‘stache stayed on the Western Front and was paired with a short, cropped haircut. Why? Because while the ladies love flowing locks, lice are just as attractive, so off the hair, they went.
The officers of 1918 cut a dashing figure. They were always clean-shaven, mustached, and had lovely high collars that prevented them from looking from side to side. Well, that is, the ones who weren’t covered in mud.
