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Free French and Polish forces
chuckster
Joined: May 30, 2003
KitMaker: 289 posts
Armorama: 170 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 06, 2007 - 07:54 AM UTC
What did the uniforms of free French and Polish army forces look like in WWII? Were they indistinguishable from American and French gear, or did they have distinct uniforms?
Johnston_RCR
Joined: April 01, 2006
KitMaker: 470 posts
Armorama: 367 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 06, 2007 - 09:36 AM UTC
The free Polish forces I believe got commonwealth gear, while retaining their rank insignia.
Kinggeorges
Joined: August 31, 2005
KitMaker: 1,380 posts
Armorama: 845 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 07, 2007 - 01:28 AM UTC
I chuckster,
Most of the free french had very similar uniform to US ones.
But it depends on witch theatre and army force.
In the desert they had specific clothes, like the french legion, or during liberation of france some units had special helmets, like the "marsouins" who worn marine beret and served on M10 tank.
If you specified your demand I may find you some pics..
Best,
Julien
Most of the free french had very similar uniform to US ones.
But it depends on witch theatre and army force.
In the desert they had specific clothes, like the french legion, or during liberation of france some units had special helmets, like the "marsouins" who worn marine beret and served on M10 tank.
If you specified your demand I may find you some pics..
Best,
Julien
HES21
Joined: April 05, 2006
KitMaker: 288 posts
Armorama: 248 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 07, 2007 - 02:08 AM UTC
Hi chuckster,
There is a picture in one of my books, showing elderly French civilians greeting French soldiers shortly after the Normandy landings.
The caption below says something about the civilians delight as they realise that the soldiers with them are actually French soldiers, dressed in American uniforms - (but don't quote me!).
Hope this helps,
Harry
There is a picture in one of my books, showing elderly French civilians greeting French soldiers shortly after the Normandy landings.
The caption below says something about the civilians delight as they realise that the soldiers with them are actually French soldiers, dressed in American uniforms - (but don't quote me!).
Hope this helps,
Harry
Drader
Joined: July 20, 2004
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 2,798 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 07, 2007 - 02:13 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi chuckster,
There is a picture in one of my books, showing elderly French civilians greeting French soldiers shortly after the Normandy landings.
The caption below says something about the civilians delight as they realise that the soldiers with them are actually French soldiers, dressed in American uniforms - (but don't quote me!).
Hope this helps,
Harry
Special Forces (Commandos/SAS) were about the only French troops to retain British-issue uniforms and equipment throughout the war. All the others were eventually supplied and equipped by the US, but retained some French distinctive features and where possible French gear.
David
Kinggeorges
Joined: August 31, 2005
KitMaker: 1,380 posts
Armorama: 845 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 07, 2007 - 08:33 PM UTC
Hi,
If you want to represent unusual uniform for free french troops, I recommand you to represent French North Forces, like "Sénégalais" (African troop), or "Goumiers" (mostly morocans soldiers, who worn djelabas, typical north African men dress). Also some french fellows in the desert worn original uniforms. You could represent guys from Bir Hakeim from the légion étrangère..etc..In this battle you can find nearly every allied uniform, including old french helmets etc in the french troops.
below a good example from bir hakeim french uniforms
Pm me if you want more pics.
Best,
Julien
If you want to represent unusual uniform for free french troops, I recommand you to represent French North Forces, like "Sénégalais" (African troop), or "Goumiers" (mostly morocans soldiers, who worn djelabas, typical north African men dress). Also some french fellows in the desert worn original uniforms. You could represent guys from Bir Hakeim from the légion étrangère..etc..In this battle you can find nearly every allied uniform, including old french helmets etc in the french troops.
below a good example from bir hakeim french uniforms
Pm me if you want more pics.
Best,
Julien
jimbrae
Joined: April 23, 2003
KitMaker: 12,927 posts
Armorama: 9,486 posts
Posted: Monday, January 08, 2007 - 01:49 PM UTC
The term 'Free French' is a little on the confusing side - up until 1943, there were two seperate formations, the Armee d'Afrique (French Army of Africa) and the Forces Françaises Libres (Free French Forces). In 1943, the two forces were amalgamated and became the l'Armée de transition (literally translated as 'transitional' army) which became known as the French Army of the Liberation.
As to uniforms, virtually everthing (apart from Commando and Special Forces units) were standard U.S. issue. What DIDN'T chage was the use of vehicle names...
As to uniforms, virtually everthing (apart from Commando and Special Forces units) were standard U.S. issue. What DIDN'T chage was the use of vehicle names...
Pavlovsdog
Joined: June 05, 2006
KitMaker: 438 posts
Armorama: 352 posts
Posted: Monday, January 08, 2007 - 03:09 PM UTC
This is a very interesting post , I am interested in infomation on French forces in Africa, thanks for this.
Jerry
Jerry
Drader
Joined: July 20, 2004
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 2,798 posts
Posted: Monday, January 08, 2007 - 03:23 PM UTC
Quoted Text
This is a very interesting post , I am interested in infomation on French forces in Africa, thanks for this.
Jerry
Here (once again) is the story of the first Free French tank unit - their H-39s travelled from Norway to Damascus, via Britain and West Africa!
Odyssey
Also has the only picture I've ever seen of H-39s with the AA-mount fitted. For further reading Histoire et Collections have a book on the travels of the Leclerc column which also includes the LRDG, camel troops and all sorts of other things.
David
sahariana
Joined: September 01, 2005
KitMaker: 381 posts
Armorama: 273 posts
Posted: Monday, January 08, 2007 - 05:55 PM UTC
[quote
Also has the only picture I've ever seen of H-39s with the AA-mount fitted. For further reading Histoire et Collections have a book on the travels of the Leclerc column which also includes the LRDG, camel troops and all sorts of other things.
David[/quote]
David
Do you have the Leclerc book? What is it like? Many photos?
I am interested in the desert war and Free French troops involved there.
Haven't found many photos of them so far so that book might be handy?
Cheers
Dus
Also has the only picture I've ever seen of H-39s with the AA-mount fitted. For further reading Histoire et Collections have a book on the travels of the Leclerc column which also includes the LRDG, camel troops and all sorts of other things.
David[/quote]
David
Do you have the Leclerc book? What is it like? Many photos?
I am interested in the desert war and Free French troops involved there.
Haven't found many photos of them so far so that book might be handy?
Cheers
Dus
Drader
Joined: July 20, 2004
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 2,798 posts
Posted: Monday, January 08, 2007 - 06:20 PM UTC
Quoted Text
David
Do you have the Leclerc book? What is it like? Many photos?
I am interested in the desert war and Free French troops involved there.
Haven't found many photos of them so far so that book might be handy?
Cheers
Dus
Hi Dus
Yes I do, it's the usual H&C large format with a good many photos, mostly concentrating on the fighting in the deep desert around Koufra, but with material of the march through Gabon (as in the website I linked to above) and also the LRDG. Includes aircraft as well, mainly Lysanders and Blenheims. Text is French only.
Not entirely sure where I bought it, Barbarossa have in their catalogue Leclerc
H&C have previously published stuff on Free French forces in the Western Desert in some of their compilation books of Militaria magazine hors-serie editions. I think they're OOP now.
David
piwi
Joined: March 15, 2004
KitMaker: 712 posts
Armorama: 558 posts
Posted: Monday, January 08, 2007 - 07:36 PM UTC
Hi all,
Very interesting topic.
At the beginning of the war Polish wear also french uniform with " Adrian helmet" . The only difference is they wear the National Polish eagle on the helmet.
Very interesting topic.
At the beginning of the war Polish wear also french uniform with " Adrian helmet" . The only difference is they wear the National Polish eagle on the helmet.
sahariana
Joined: September 01, 2005
KitMaker: 381 posts
Armorama: 273 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 04:39 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextDavid
Do you have the Leclerc book? What is it like? Many photos?
I am interested in the desert war and Free French troops involved there.
Haven't found many photos of them so far so that book might be handy?
Cheers
Dus
Hi Dus
Yes I do, it's the usual H&C large format with a good many photos, mostly concentrating on the fighting in the deep desert around Koufra, but with material of the march through Gabon (as in the website I linked to above) and also the LRDG. Includes aircraft as well, mainly Lysanders and Blenheims. Text is French only.
Not entirely sure where I bought it, Barbarossa have in their catalogue Leclerc
H&C have previously published stuff on Free French forces in the Western Desert in some of their compilation books of Militaria magazine hors-serie editions. I think they're OOP now.
David
Thanks David, was hoping there might be some info/pics on LRDG as well.
Ta
Dus
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