u/Free_Living3543

As the title, WW1 was all about mixture of different nationalities, ethnicities and so is languages. I have heard that French was the lingua franca of that period and only high degree officers had the access to learn it .

I am wondering and thinking how was the communication at that period? Communication among generals, statesman, and even among infantry because most of the infantry were regular people doing the civil works. French, British fighting together, Germans and Ottomans, Italy and British and so on.