Boileau (The War That Came Early)

Boileau was a French soldier in World War II. He was also a communist. Boileau was happy to fight against Germany but expressed an unwillingness to fight against the Soviet Union as it became increasingly apparent that the French government intended to join Germany's war effort against the USSR.

Boileau's unwillingness to fight the Russians led him to brawl with Paul. The two men were evenly matched, and after each had injured the other, they appealed to their squad commander, Sergeant Luc Harcourt. Harcourt showed impartiality in disciplining them equally for each assaulting the other, but took Paul's side (however reluctantly) in the issue which led to the brawl. He warned Boileau that he would be expected to follow his orders. The only alternative would be mutiny and he would be executed if he tried. Nonplussed, Boileau attempted to convince Harcourt to join him in mutiny before the exchange ended.