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Free French (North Africa)

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Last Post by StevF99 8 years ago

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Bravo-2-6

(@bravo-2-6)

Posts: 143

Estimable Member

Topic starter

Hello!

I'm trying to put together a Free French impression, set in the North African theatre.
Most of my research has shown that the French wore a mixture of British and French kit, trying to keep as much French as possible.

It looks like they wore KD uniforms supplied by the British, for the most part, and webbing of French origin (Mle ****/14 or Mle35).
Alongside either a bonnet du police, kepi or Mle24 Adrian helmet.

Insigina seems to be some form of "Cross of Lorraine" on the left sleeve and where issued with FRANCE tabs however, I haven't seen these worn in North African pictures.

Does anyone have any more information that could help me?

Jack

Designated Support Gunner- Maybe one day i may actually hit someone!

Armoury
Germany: MG42, MP40, Mauser M712
Italy: Berretta M38A
U.S.A: M1918SLR B.A.R
U.K: Lee Enfield SMLE

Posted : 10/04/2017 3:59 pm

MartinR

(@martinr)

Posts: 2866

Famed Member

I think for 1st Free French Division North Africa/Syria/Palestine in 1942, British KD or BD wth French webbing, hats and cross of lorraine badges just about nails it - based on all the photos anyway. Not sure about Adrian helmets, mainly kepis, cheese cutter hats or British helmets, just the odd photo of an Adrian helmet.

I came across some photos of Senegalese regiments wearing what look like French jackets too.

"Mistakes in the initial deployment cannot be rectified" Helmuth von Moltke
Toys: AGM MP40, Cyma M1A1, TM M14/G43/SVT40, TM VSR/K98, SnS No. 4, ASG Sten, Ppsh.
Arnhem3,Gumrak,Campoleone

Posted : 11/04/2017 8:43 am

Greebo

(@greebo)

Posts: 10

Active Member

I'm not really familiar with but isn't the Kepi Blanc a Legion-only-thing :?:

Posted : 22/04/2017 7:48 am

Bravo-2-6

(@bravo-2-6)

Posts: 143

Estimable Member

Topic starter

I'm not really familiar with but isn't the Kepi Blanc a Legion-only-thing

It is, but after the fall of france, Free French would wear anything French they could get their hands on.

Jack

Designated Support Gunner- Maybe one day i may actually hit someone!

Armoury
Germany: MG42, MP40, Mauser M712
Italy: Berretta M38A
U.S.A: M1918SLR B.A.R
U.K: Lee Enfield SMLE

Posted : 25/04/2017 1:18 pm

StevF99

(@stevf99)

Posts: 131

Estimable Member

There are a fair few decent photo's showing the range of clothing and webbing the FFI used if you google Battle of Bir Hakeim. Some are high quality Getty images.

Steve