We discussed this in training in the military in the early 60's.This is the best that I remember and believe.
During WW one.The french civilian population had a high illness and mortality rate.Especially in the winter.The Beef and Horse meat they normally ate was not available and all food was in much shorter supply.In some areas it was critical.The meat of rabbits replaced most of the other meat and was "all" that was available to eat for some that lived off of the wild ones.Some of these lived on the fringe of the battlefield that use to be their homes and farms.You did not fare well on a diet of rabbit or Hare alone.Also they carry many parasites.Starving Folk eat everything.
Wild rabbits and even our tame Hares we raise for food and pets can be a major sources of Tape worm and many other parasites.This also helped kill off more French.These weakened people also had to face the Flu epidemic at the end of the war.Few & skimpy records of the civilian population were kept or have survived.
Now I had heard of some of this from ww1 vets and how a lot of the French of all ages and sexes were just skin and bones in some areas near the front.They guessed that they had no where else to go.
I love the taste of Beef,Horse,Ass and Hare meat.I have raised New Zealand Giants to eat.The meat of Hares and Rabbits is good in a modern diet.It is just not a good staple diet for the ill,weak,starving or folks on a BAD diet in my belief and training.Neither is Bread alone.I have probably eaten thousands of wild Rabbits and hundreds of domestically raised Hares.I remember two Rabbit cycles in my youth where they went from numbers like a plague to disappeared from disease.They have been scarce since the newer pesticides and weed killers.Also the White "Cow Birds" from Africa are a marvel at discovering and picking the Cottontail young out of the little fur nest the female makes.
I eat them cooked in many ways when I can get or buy one.I love the young ones fried like a chicken.If "Kentucky Fried Chicken fried rabbits,I would patronize them.
I love you Brothers and Sisters.peewee