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Armor/AFV: AA/AT/Artillery
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Did the French use the M1917 Browning MG?
long_tom
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Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 05:29 AM UTC
I wondered when I read that the South Vietnamese military received a bunch of them after the French left. But did the French themselves use them? Thanks.
Thatguy
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Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 10:01 AM UTC
The French definitely used them in Indochina, but I'm not sure when they received them.
trickymissfit
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Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 12:59 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I wondered when I read that the South Vietnamese military received a bunch of them after the French left. But did the French themselves use them? Thanks.


the old Browning was fairly common in Vietnam, and some were rather old; so I think it'd probably be true. Also the Browning was used in a lot of Special Forces camps.
gary
dobon68
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England - South East, United Kingdom
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Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 11:11 PM UTC
The French used them in Indochina as you can see in these photos
Opération Tourbillon 1953
AFV's used by the French in Indochina showing some with M1917's
Hope this answers your question
David
Frenchy
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Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 12:34 AM UTC
I thought that the M1917 was a water-cooled machine-gun (the air-cooled one being the M1919 ..)


Frenchy
dobon68
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Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 01:34 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I thought that the M1917 was a water-cooled machine-gun (the air-cooled one being the M1919 ..)
Frenchy

Sorry my bad
But how about this photo

David
Frenchy
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Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 02:24 AM UTC
Nice find David Now we've got pics of both MGs, whichever the one Tom was looking for...

Frenchy
Banshee3Actual
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Posted: Saturday, August 22, 2009 - 03:32 PM UTC
Well, since the French Divisions that were re-equipped by the USA in 1943 were on the same scale as US Divisions, M1917A1's would be in the issue for Heavy Weapons Companies of Infantry Regiments.
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