And now for something completely different.
I've been thinking about putting together some bits and bobs to form a simple Free French Paratrooper impression, as they use a lot of the same kit as their British counterparts. That last bit is very appealing to me, as I'm a frugal bastard - and I bought an M1 Carbine, so I need to justify the purchase now! 
To start, I'm not sure on what pouches to use for the short M1 magazines. Given that all the parachuting Frenchies were issued almost exclusively with American weapons, logic would suggest they were also given the correct pouches to retain their ammunition, e.g. US twin carbine pouches. Was this the case? All I have to go by is some photos of a French re-enacting group and the models in the Histoire and Collections D-Day Paratroopers book, and honestly I can't glean much off those. Did they just stuff mags in the Denison pockets?
If anyone in the know could give me a heads up, I'd appreciate it. 
'ABSIT OMEN'
If I recall correctly the French Paratroopers worked with/were also known as the French SAS, so I would expect quite a bit more individualism.
As far as I was aware they were entirely equipped by the British - given that they trained alongside the Polish Parachute Brigade I expect this would be the case. Not sure about weapons but my money would be on 'use Denison pocket'.
Suppose I should best head to the internet to find out. 
If I recall correctly the French Paratroopers worked with/were also known as the French SAS, so I would expect quite a bit more individualism.
Correct on all counts, chief. They had a novel way of wearing their 1911 holsters further down their leg by positioning two '37 pattern braces upside down and threading the ends through the loops; they also adopted the RAC black beret for a time, and went the extra mile by carefully fixing scrim netting over it for camouflage - gotta love it! 
I've done a bit of hunting myself, but can't drag up any solid leads. 
I'm not sure on the dimensions of the carbine magazines either, but surely they'd fit the Enfield bandoleer, yeah? Any other web pouches that might fit them?
'ABSIT OMEN'
just about any mag will fit in the standard 37 pattern front pouches (not the little Enfield mag pouches) even bren mag's will at a pinch.
armoury
m1a1 Thompson,sten mk2,mp40,stg44,sterling,mk2 bren gun,lee Enfield no4 mk1,Mauser Kar98, Walther ppk,smith and Weston m10 and Mauser m712
Give me a big enough hammer and a place to stand and I could fix the world.
i'll kill a man in a fair fight or if i think he's going to start a fair fight or over a woman or.......
a problem shared is a problem halved ,but an advantage shared is no advantage at all
if a job's not worth doing then its certainly not worth doing well
To start, I'm not sure on what pouches to use for the short M1 magazines. Given that all the parachuting Frenchies were issued almost exclusively with American weapons, logic would suggest they were also given the correct pouches to retain their ammunition, e.g. US twin carbine pouches. Was this the case? All I have to go by is some photos of a French re-enacting group and the models in the Histoire and Collections D-Day Paratroopers book, and honestly I can't glean much off those. Did they just stuff mags in the Denison pockets?
They used British 37 pattern but worn "a la francaise" as one website puts it, I don't see a preponderance of basic pouches in the photos but I don't think you would go wrong wearing at least one and they were designed to take anything and everything - grenades, Bren gun magazines, bandoliers and were extended for the Mk III to take Sten gun mags.
I have a small skewer hidden in the collar of my jumping jacket, and a razorblade in my gaiter, as well as my knife.
At risk of starting another Blanco fight (I'm looking at you, Poles) I have to ask: did the Frenchies Blanco their gear, yey or nay?
'ABSIT OMEN'
as most French were eqipped by the Americans, and those wearing British kit were either in North Africa or part of the SAS I do not know. My book on No10 Commando is all packed up at the moment for house moving, but I think they did - from my memory.
Good enough for me. Thank ye, sir. 
'ABSIT OMEN'
French webbing would be blanco'ed up as per their british counterparts. Ammunition was indeed all retained within the 37 patt pouches, I believe one of the oddities that I've seen from photos is the M3 knife (US) being worn on the 37 patt belt.
By the way, as cool as the holster on the brace attachments looks - it is the most irritating thing you will encounter unless done properly 
. I'd advise against it as well to be honest....a bit of a reenactorism.
Best regards,
Euan
I figured the holster would do a bit of flapping around when hanging off the braces, so I wasn't giving it too much thought if I'm honest.
I take it by 'reenactorism' you mean one of these things that reenactors and the like latch onto as gospel even though it was probably only done by one or two blokes back in the day?
'ABSIT OMEN'
