oas 13 french army 1940

OFFICERS and SOLDIERS of the

OFFICERS and SOLDIERS of the

�

The Metropolitan Troops General Headquarters, Military academies, lnfantry, Fortress lnfantry, Alpine lnfantry, Chasseurs a pied, Chasseurs alpins, Alpine Fortress

lnfantry, Tanks, Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Chasseurs a cheval, Hussars, Armored Cars, Reconnaissance Groups, Artillery, Engineers, Train, Gendarmerie, Services (Supply, Administration, Medica! Corps), Paris Fire Brigade.

The Mrican and Levant Special troops Zouaves, Algerian, Tunisian and Moroccan Tirailleurs, Foreign Legion, African Light lnfantry, chasseurs d'Afrique,

Algerian and Moroccan Spahis, Saharan companies, Levant Special troops.

The Colonial troops Colonial lnfantry, Senegalese tirailleurs

The Air Force The Navy

André JOUINEAU Translated from the French by Alan McKAY

HISTOIRE & COLLECTIONS

1940 MAN

With the ups and downs of the Year 1914, the army of the Belle Epoque, with its madder-red trousers, quickly changed into a "horizon blue" army. After one year of war the soldier who had gone off to war without a care in the world had metamorphosed into a less conspicuous warrior facing the enemy. In the years following the end of the conflict it was recognised that the mustard-coloured cloth used by the Aflican troops was more practical and far better adapted to meeting the fundamental need of making the infantryman less visible.

But as the horizon blue clothing had first to be worn until all the stocks were used up, the colour change was only carried out among the rank and file uniformly so that there wasn't a medley of khaki and horizon blue uniforms in any one regiment.

This complete change of uniform was generally effective

from 1935 onwards but Reserve troops and certain noncombatant units nonetheless kept horizon blue uniforms until up to the eve'of the war.

Unfortunately this change in colour was not the result of

a modern vision of the combatant and overall, the silhouette of the 1940 soldier did not differ very much from his 1918 predecessor. Combat dress and equipment was dated.

The soldier He wore the inevitable greatcoat, the symbol of French

military battledress ever since the Second Empire. lndeed, whether it was bluish metallic grey, or horizon blue, with a straight collar or a fold-down one, one row of buttons or two, it was the single battledress item used whatever the season

or the theatre of operations. In winter the infantrymen wore a jersey under it; in summer they wore it over their shirt together with a tie - a quite useless touch of elegance in comba t.

The khaki trousers were cut to the same style as in 1918

and worn with puttees. In 1939, golfing breeches were brought in; they were very fashionable arnong the young of the day. This novelty was accompanied by fawn leather or canvas gaiters but they were only issued to a few units; with use it was noticed that the trousers were not very practica]

because they were too baggy and snagged on everything. The fawn or black boots were those used during the Great

War. The farnous 1915 Adlian helmet had undergone sorne changes. The one-piece 1926 Model had a crest and was made of steel and manganese and its volume had been

increased slightly. 4 The infantryman's armarnent had hardly been developed

since 1918. The 1916 Model infantry rifle, the carbine, the

Ruby pistol and the 1892 Model revolver were the main individual weapons. For the unit weapons, the FM 24/29 machine gun was in general use and popular with its servants. The Hotchkiss machine gun was still in use.

60- and 81-mm mortars, developed directly from the trench artillery like the anti-tank guns, appeared in the French infantry arsenal.

The MAS 36 was the most recent individual weapon issued, but only to certain active units.

The MAS 36-type cartridge belts were used alongside the

former Lebel ones. The lozenge-shaped pouch was replaced by a canvas backpack, together with a lower pack and a pouch which could be attached to the belt. The ANP 31 gas mask sheath replaced the ARS type metal box.

The NCOs and the Officers For the everyday uniform, an effort had been made for

the NCOs' dress. For the re-engaged NCO corps (SOR- SousOfficiers Rengagés), an attempt had been made to find a more elegant service dress and a real off-duty uniform which

more closely resembled the officers'. On the other hand the Sergents' and Sergent-Chefs' bat

tledress was identical to the rank and file's. The Adjudants wore officers' uniforms with the NCOs specificities.

Likewise the lntendancy tried to preserve a certain degree

of elegance for the officers' uniforms. Since they paid for their own clothes, sorne couturiers supplied accessories from the top of the range to those officers who could afford them. Officers therefore had a veritable wardrobe at their disposal, supplemented by the farnous 1931 Model uniform

which renewed with lllrd Republic tradition by blinging back into fashion the traditional colours of each sub-division of

the different arms.

The Air Force and the Navy Having become an independent service in 1933, the Air

Force adopted a modern uniform which was in tune with its epoch and is still in use nowadays with the officers. Flying suits were constantly being studied to salve problems linked to high altitude flying.

The Navy had always taken care with its crews' uniforms and only a few modifications had been made to in the uniform sin ce 1914, except for the cut of the cap and the width of the off-duty uniform trousers.

On the other hand, the shipboard service dress, keeping

in tune with technological developments, had been considerably improved.

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Generals wearing the 1930 Model uniform

.h.aJJ of France hal de France) tbe 1930 Jllodel

1 ...Worm. At the time .� Franchet

<.pert)' ( 1856-1942) as tbe only person

'l.o •ear this uniform t "tarédlaJ Pétain,

cas tbe French �orto Spain still

..-con lhe 1922 Jllodel IMirizoo blue uniform.

..

Jllarshall of France wearing

a 1930 Jllodel N'2 uniform.

Jllajor-GeneraJ belonging to the Jllilitary Household of the President of the Republic.

Lieutenant-General wearing the 1930 Jllodel

N' 1 uniform.

Brigadier-General wearing the 1931 Jllodel N'2 uniform.

5

6

Generals in service dress

Brigadier-General wearing daytime

dress 1'1'3.

Brigadier-General wearing daytime

dress 1'1'3. and a greatcoat.

Brigadier-General wearing service dress 1'1'4. variant with simplified kepi.

Brigadier-General wearing service

dress 1'1'4.

Brigadier-General wearing battledress and raincoat.

Staff Officers

e

'oo·brevetted Captain earing service dress.

:t.a<.bed to the Artillery HQ Staff.

"

Armband for the Ministry

rn:=J of \\lar Headquarters Staff.

Armband for the President of the Republic's Headquarters Staff.

Army Corps HQ Staff armband.

Headquarters armband of the General commanding the Artillery of an Army.

Cavalry Division HQ Staff armband.

Cavalry Brigade HQ Staff armband.

Brevet Colonel belonging to General Gamelin's

staff, after a period photograph.

Non-brevetted Captain wearing battledress, attached to a cavalry brigade's staff, according to Maurice Toussaint.

7

8

The Military Academies

Cadet at the ESM (Ecole Spéciale Militaire) at St Cyr, in full dress, called the "Big U" in the school's jargon.

Officer at the ESM at St Cyr, wearing full

dress uniform.

Cadet at the Ecole d'Application at Saumur, wearing battledress. after a period photograph.

Cadet at the ESM at St Cyr wearing

manoeuvres dress.

Officer at the Ecole d'Application at Saumur, wearing battledress.

The Infantry

Caporal-chef from t.be 150th Infantry Kegiment wearing parade dress. alter � period photograph. l1r is presenting anos ,itb an JIJAS 36

.md is wearing the 14·18 Croix de Guerre shoulder .;guillette/cordon.

\bove. Tbe full dress metal �ental insignia .md the coUar patch.

®

Drummer from the 152nd tnfantry Regiment

in parade dress alter a period photograph.

Nicknamed the Diables Rouges (the Red Devils),

the regiment was awarded the red Légion

d'Honneur aiguillette.

Soldier in shirtsleeves, wearing billet dress.

: : t t t t t '

t t t

Corporal from the 41st Infantry Regiment

in winter off·duty dress.

The metal insignia is wom on the aiguillette which is

the colour of the 14· 18 Croix de Guerre.

Caporal-chef in the 43rd lnfantry Regiment in winter off-duty dress. The metal insignia is worn next to the 14·18 Croix de Guerre aiguillette •

This Caporal-Chef is wearing the radio-telegrapher's insignia, on the left sleeve above the rank stripe.

9

10

The Infantry

Soldier on leave wearing a 1938 Model tunic (vareuse) with flaps hiding

the collar patches.

To find out about the collective distinctions or aiguillettes attributed to the different regiments leading up to the 1940 French Campaign we consulted www.pages/4-l B.com or the "Répertoire des corps de troupe de l'armée fran<;:aise pendant la Grande Guerre" by t:ric Labayle and Michel Bonnaud, published by Claude Bonnaud.

Soldier wearing a 1936 Model jersey and so-called 1938 "golf" trousers.

Soldier wearing battledress. 1926 Mode1 helmet 1920 Model Greatcoat with camouflage buttons Golfing breeches t'uttees 1917 Model buskins

1938 Model tunic -the first version, with six buttons.

1935 Model cartridge pouch ANP 31 gas mask and its bag

attached to the belt 1935 Model flask

FM 24/29 machine-gunner The function insignia is wom on his 1eft arm.

1934 Model top bag 07/15 Model rifle and its bayonet.

The Infantry

ldier from the 85th antry Regiment battledress. has tied bis

lannel belt like .a sc.arf round

neck, like African troops.

Tbe 85th IR wore .a 1+-18 Croix

Guerre aiguillette.

Soldier wearing battledress.

He is wearing a 1938 Model greatcoat

" with one row

of buttons and is equipped with

the 1916 Model suspender hraces

and cartridge pouches.

Loader (the FM

gunner's team mate) wearing battledress, in the spring of 1940 according to the most recent regulations. The gaiters were made of canvas. He was armed with a Ruby pistol and was the least well-armed man in the combat group.

Soldier in the 5 1st IR wearing battledress

in the spring of 1940, according to

the latest regulations.

MAS 36 Rifle.

The 5 1st IR wore an aiguillette-cord

the colour of the Médaille

Militaire .

Soldier wearing battledress, on the front line during the winter of 1939-40. The helmet is protected with a cachou-coloured canvas cover: a balaclava helmet, a pair of woollen mittens and a sheepskin jerkin complete bis winter uniform.

11

The Infantry

12

How the backpack was assembled with

the upper haversack, the gas mask container.

the lower pack and the tool secured

to the upper pack. Note that the upper pack

can be carried in two positions, one of which

is shown here; the other is lower down on the back.

The Infantry. NCOs

-\djudant in the 35th Lnfantry Regiment in service dress. Tbe top of the kepi now has its silver stripe mixed 10ith red again. Tbe regimental insignia is wom on the right and the aiguillette is the colour o( the Médaille Militaire. Tbe button with a grenade .. as specific to lnfantry officers and NCOs.

6

Adjudant-chef in the !31st IR in

service dress. The regiment's aiguillette was

the colour of the 14-18 Croix de Guerre.

Sergeant in the !50th IR in service dress. The figures on the collar tabs are embroidered. He is wearing the telephone operator's insignia. The !50th IR's aiguillette is the colour of the Médaille Militaire.

A 1--

1�

V

6 6

Adjudant-chef in the !50th IR

in daytime dress, wearing a coat. The aiguillette

is the colour of the Médaille Militaire.

Note that the metal insignia is worn over

the collective distinction.

Sergent wearing battledress. Like the Sergent-Chef, he was dressed and equipped in these circumstances like the rank and file.

13

14

The Infantry. Officers

Lieutenant from the 35th lnfantry Regiment wearing a 1931 Model uniform. The aiguillette is worn on the second button in the front.

Lieutenant in the 131 st IR. wearing battledress.

Captain in the 131 st IR

wearing service uniform. This captain's decoration

bar shows that he is a veteran of 1914·18.

He is wearing his awards by order of preceden ce: the Légion d'Honneur,

the 14-18 Croix de Guerre with star and palms. the Veteran's Cross.

the lnter-Ailied Medal, the 14·18 Commemorative

Medal and the Verdun Commemorative l'ledal.

Sous·Lieutenant in the 131 st IR, wearing

fatigues.

captain in the 18th IR

wearing battledress.

For all subdivisions of the arm. 1931 Model

Uniforms N' 1 and N' 2 were

suspended during wartime operations

by decree dated 12 October 1939.

The Alpine Infantry

Corporal from lbe 99th Régiment d'infanterie alpine

RJA -Mountain lnfantry Regiment) wearing p.arade dress. He is wearing lbe mountain troops' beret but with a madder-red grenade and the Mountain Tmops' blue belt. He is also wearing mountain boots .. ;tb socks: the rest is lbe same as lbe infantry. Tbe 99th RIA's aiguillette 10-as that of the 14·18 Croix de Guerre.

Parade dress of the 159th RIA

the soldier is wearing the Skiers-Scouts' Star.

The 159th RIA was the holder

of the 14-18 Croix de Guerre.

Skier·Scout from the SES section of the !59th RIA. He is wearing a windbreaker over his

jersey (light pullover). He is equipped with a 1916 cartridge pouch, a carbine and the Mountain Troops haversack.

*

o

Soldier wearing battledress. The collar

flaps hide the regiment's number.

The mountain infantry was also equipped

with the 1926 Model Adrian helmet.

Lieutenant in the 80th RIA wearing battledress. Attached to his belt a is a M 1937 Automatic pisto!. The 80th RIA was the holder of the 14-18 Croix de Guerre aiguillette.

15

16

The Fortress Infantry

Soldier, 1st Class in the 1 72nd Fortress lnfantry Regiment with the off-duty unifonn's coUar patches. The ann strip denotes the sector or the fortress which the unit was assigned to. The aiguillette was the colour of the MédaiUe Militaire and the fortress troops' general insignia was wom on the beret by the rank and file.

Corporal in the 69th Fortress lnfantry Regiment

wearing off-duty dress. The cummerbund was

no longer worn after 1939.

Corporal from the 1 72nd RlF wearing battledress.

The collar patch has a figure and the Russian

braid is dark blue. The corporal's stripes are almost the same

shade·as the greatcoat.

Fortress infantryman wearing billet dress, around 1938.

Corporal in the 146th Fortress lnfantry Regiment

wearing winter off-duty dress. He is wearing a wooUen khaki belt

and the same colour beret which were both distinctive

of the Fortress troops. The RlF insignia. here in

coloured enamel (fancy). was worn on the aiguillette

which was the colour of the MédaiUe Militaire.

The button is the infantry' s. a half baU with a single

coquille made of copper and zinc aUoy.

The fortress Infantry

Caporal-Chef lrom the

68th lnfantr y earing

·ortification O'el'' dress.

mate crewman in 1938 from the 3rd Battalion.

Drummer from the 1 72nd Rlf

wearing full p arade dress

around 1938. alter a .period photogrnph.

The colours of the drum aproo

werenoted by Pierre-Aibert

Leroux.

Clarion and horn-player from the l 72nd FIR wearing full parade dress abotit 1939.

Soldier wearing fatigues.

17

18

Fortress Infantry. NCOs

Sergent-Chef from the 172nd fiR in summer

parade dress.

Sergent·Chef from the 1 72nd fiR wearing

ordinary dress.

Sergent-Chef from the 1 72nd fiR wearing winter

parade dress.

In principie, the button with a grenade was only accorded from adjudant

upwards.

•

Sergeant in the 1 72nd fiR

from among the specialised cadres.

Adjudant-Chef in the 1 72nd fiR wearing service dress. Note that the rank stripe has been placed on the beret.

The Fortress Infantry. Officers

Captain in the 172nd FIR

193 1 ·Model uniform.

Lieutenant in the 1 72nd fiR in service dress.

�

Captain from the 1 72nd FIR wearing service

uniform.

Lieutenant from the 1 72nd FIR wearing

battledress.

Captain in the 1 72nd FIR

wearing service dress.

19

20

The Infantry Combat Group

Sergeant. commanding

the group.

Loader.

Corporal, second in command

of the group.

Gunner for the FJII

24/39 machine gun.

..

dn010 lBQlUO'J ÁllUBJUI aq1

22

The 25-mm Anti-Tank Gun

Hotchkiss 25·mm anti·tank gun.

Ist Servant with

an ammunition case.

Driver of the cheniiiette (small tracked vehicle) used for towing the anti·tank gun.

The 60-mm Mortar

Corporal. firer.

Artificer.

23

24

The 81-mm Mortar

Sergeant commanding the section.

Gun-layer. Loader. Artificer.

The 81-mm Mortar

L(lader

Loader

Loader

Chenillette driver wearing a 1935

Model cachou coloured uniform

and, right. wearing a 1936Model

Jersey.

NB. The Chenillettes (small tracked vehicles)

were used initially to supply {ron t

line combatants. They were also used

to tow 25-mm anti-tank guns. They were tried

out carrying the 81-mm mortar but this idea

was not followed up.

25

The Hotchkiss Machine Gun

Loader.

Gunner. carrying

the machine

gun.

l'lechanic. He carried the spare parts as well as a spare barre!.

The Groupes francs

Patrolman wearing a 1938l'lodel

canvas uniform.

Patrolman wearing a lighter uniform.

June 1940.

Grenade-launcher.

- 6 Armament J. Vivienne-Bessiere (VB) Grenade. 2. Grenade Iauncher sheath. 3. Ruby pistol holster 4. Ruby pistol.

5. MAS 36 and its grenade·luncher (6). 7. Carbine.

7

27

28

The Chasseurs a pied

••

Corporal in the 2nd BCP, wearing parade dress.

Note the collar patches horns are symmetrically

positioned.

Caporal·chef in the 2nd BCP wearing

off-duty dress.

Chasseur from the 1st BCP in parad e

dress and wearing a greatcoat.

Bugler and hornist, 1st Class. from

the 8th BCP. wearing parade dress. Note that

the helmet insignia is highlighted. The 8th BCP had received the Légion

d'Honneur aiguillette.

Corporal in the 2nd BCP wearing winter off-duty dress.


Chasseur wearing billet dress.

\Vhen the 69th BCP's troops mobilised,

they wore a dark blue uniform except

for the sky blue (bleu horizon) greatcoat

whicb carne from an active unit, the 1Oth BCP.

"

Caporal-Chef in very reduced patrol dress. wearing a jersey. Note

the rank tab worn on the jersey.

� w

Chasseur in the 69th BCP wearing

the uniform for the rear of the front.

autumn 1939.

Chasseur in the 69th BCP wearing campaign dress. September 1939.

29

30


Chasseur in the 2nd BCP

wearing battledress.

Chasseur in the 4th Battalion of Jllechanised

Chasseurs. He is wearing the uniform of the

mechanised troops.

•


battledress.

• •


battledress

Chasseur in the 69th BCP in battledress wearing the 1938 Jllodel motorcyclist's jacket. This uniform was adopted for use on the Narvik expedition.

The Chasseurs a Pied. Officers and NCOs

Lieutenant in the 2nd BCP

wearing the 1931-Model

uniform.

Lieutenant in the 8th BCP.

..

6-

Adjudant from the 2nd BCP wearing a 1931

Model unüorm. after an item of period

unüorm. The decorations were. by order of precedence:

the 1914-18 Croix de Guerre,

the Combatant's Cross. the lnter-AIIied Medal,

the 1914-18 Commemorative Medal,

the Verdun Commemorative Medal,

the Rhineland Medal.

Captain in the 2od BCP

in day unüorm (service dress).

Adjudant in the 2od BCP.

wearing senice dress.

31

32

The Chasseurs Alpins (Alpine Troops)

Chasseur in the 22nd BCA.

wearing parade dress.


�o

Corporal in the 13th BCA. wearing off·duty

dress. with its cloak.

Captain in the 7th BCA.

wearing a cloak.

Corporal in the 1 Ith BCA in

summer manoeuvres uniform, from

a drawing by 1'1. Toussaint.

The Chasseurs Alpins

Chasseur in the 27th BCA.

"earing battledress.

Captain in the 22nd BCA, wearing parade dress.

• ..

Chasseur wearing summer manoeuvres

dress. Chasseur wearing

a sk:ier's 1940 Model jacket and 1935 Model

hooded coat.

5ergent-Chef in the 20th BCA, wearing battledress at the beginning of 1940, after a period photograph.

33

34

The Chasseurs Alpins in Norway

Chasseur wearing a khaki tunic under

the regulation cloak.

Corporal - a scout from a BCA. wearing a skier's 1940 Model anorak. mountain boots and canvas gaiters.

Chasseur wearing a reversible balaclava.

lbe helmet itas

a white camouflage cover

Chasseur wearing the canvas anorak

pattem 1940.

Chasseur wearing a sheepskin jacket.

The Alpine Fortress Battalions

Corporal m the 70th BAF

�ing parade s. On a period

photo soldiers can be seen •earing tbe cummerbund

hich we suppose ,015 blue. 1dicating

that they belonged to the Alpine troops.

� Insignia and collar

patches for off-duty dress, and the arm strip

of the 70th BAF {Battalion Alpin

de fortresse - alpine fortress battalion).

� �

Soldier from the SES (section d'éclaireursskieurs) wearing windjack.

Insignia of the SES {Section Eclaireurs-Skieurs - Skier-Scout Section) of the 70th BAf.

fM 24/29 Machine Gunner.

�

Lieutenant wearing battledress, collar talls and arm title, in gold letters for officers.

35

36

The Tanks

Chasseur wearing battledress with armoured

BL 39 glasses.

Lieutenant from the 51 Oth Combat Tank Kegiment wearing the 1931 Model N' 1

Uniform.

Sous·Lieutenant in battledress from the 15th Combat Tank Battalion. He is wearing the former black leather 1920 Model jacket.

Sergent·Chef in the 48th BCC

wearing campaign dress with the new

1935 Model Havana leather jacket.

The leggings are doubtful.

Corporal Mechanic wearing service dress.

The Cuirassiers

Lieutenant the 4th Cuirassiers

earing lbe 1931 Model N' 1 Lniform. The 4th Cuirassiers "-as one of the combat regirnents in lbe 1st DLI'I

Division Légere 'fécanisée- Iight motorised division).

Brigadier in the 12th Cuirassiers

belonging to the motorcycle

squadron.

� - u

6

fl'l 24/29 machine gunner from

the 6th Cuirassiers. The regirnent was still

mounted and was part of the 3rd Cavatry

Division.

• Adjudant-Chef from the 1 2th Cuirassiers in service dress. The regiment was operational again on 1 January 1940. lt was the 3rd DLI'I"s recce unit.

Brigadier-Chef from the 4th Cuirassiers

wearing winter off-duty dress.

37

38

The Dragoons

6 o

18th Mechanised Dragoons.

8th Dragoons. (mounted)

Plain silver half-button.

Lieutenant in the 8th Dragoons wearing the 1931 Model 1'1' 1 Uniform. The 8th Dragoons was still mounted and was part of the 2nd cavalry Division.

Brigadier-Chef from the 4th Motorised

Dragoons, wearing battledress after a period

photograph.

Dragoon from a motorised

squadron of the 2nd RDP. wearing

4 x 4 transport dress.

Off-duty dress

Battledress

Insignia oftbe 4th Motorised Dragoons.

Lieutenant in the 2nd Motorised Dragoons Regiment in service dress. The 2nd Dragoons belonged to the 3rd Cavalry Division.

Trooper from the 4th Motorised

Dragoons in service dress. The 4th Dragoons was part of the 1st DLM.

The Chasseurs a Cheval

campaign uniform collar patch and off-duty dress

collar patch.

Colonel in the 1 1 th Chasseurs a Cheval Regiment. wearing

the 1931 l'lodel 1'1' 1 Uniform.

The selhi-motorised regiment was disbanded on 2 September

1939 to form a GRCA ( Qroupement

de reconnaissance de corps d'armée- army corps

reconnaissance group), and three GRDI (groupe

de reconnaissance de division d'infanterie- infantry division

reconnaissance group). The 1 Ith Chasseurs were

the holders of the 1914-1918. Croix de Guerre aiguillette

since 12 January 1919.

6 l'lounted Brigadier wearing

battledress.

Trooper wearing battledress. The off-duty uniform coat with sky blue piping was also used when the active men were mobilised.

w

(f)

o m

39

40

The Hussars

Lieutnant in the 4th Hussars, wearing the 1931 Model No 1 Uniform. With the 6th Dragoons, the 4th Hussars formed one of the 3rd Cavalry Division brigades.

f 1

r:l '\J!

6 o

m

Trooper from the 4th Hussar Regiment wearing battledress, front and rear views.

•

Centre.

Radio-telephonist's insignia.

Below.

Physical lnstruction brevet (silver).

Lieutenant in the 4th Hussar Regiment, wearing his coat.

Brigadier-Chef from the 4th Hussar

Regiment. wearing off-duty dress.

He is wearing the telegrapher's insignia

on his left sleeve and on his chest on this

occasion, the Physical tnstruction brevet.

The Armoured Car Regiments

Lieutenant from the 1st Armoured Car Regiment wearing the 1931 Model N' 1 uniform. Apart from the regimental insignia, this officer is wearing the Mechanised Units'insignia. The 1st GAM was one of the two mechanised corps in the 1st Cavalry Division.

Brigadier in the 1st Armoured Car

Regiment. wearing a 1935 Model overcoat and khaki 1935 Model

canvas overalls.

D

�

m

Lieutenant in the 1st Armoured Car Regiment wearing service dress.

Without there being any real rule, the GRDI's kepi was often the Light Cavalry's (sky blue) and the GRDA's the Heavy Cavalry's (dark blue).

Lieutenant in an Armoured Car

Squadron from tbe 1st Armoured

Car Regiment. The 1920 Model blac.k

leather jacket was stW wom here

and there.

Brigad.ier in the 1st Armoured Car Regiment wearing a khaki canvas uniform and a raincoat

41

42

The Reconnaissance Groups (GRDI and ORCA)

' '

o

• •

TheGRDI was made up of recruits from Brittany, hence the insignia with the Breton ermine.

Brigadier-Chef from the mechanised squadron

of the 68th GRDI.

Lieutenant in the 68th GRDI's

motorcyclists' squadron.

Squadron Commander in the 68th GRDI. wearing a coat .

Soldier from the mounted squadron of the 68th GRDI.

The Artillery

Captain in the 39th Artillery fortified Region Regiment, wearing the 1931 l'lodel uniform.

l'lounted Artiiieryman from the 32nd Artiiiery

Regiment.

6� Brigadier in the 163rd fortress Artillery Regiment wearing off-duty dress prior to 1939.

Artilleryman, Ist Class,

in the !55th fortress ArtiUery

Regiment.

Brigadier-Chef wearing the mounted uniform of the 7 3rd Cavalry Division.

43

The Artillery

fortress unit Gunner wearing fortress crew uniform.

Artilleryman in the 67th African Artillery Regiment.

Artilleryman in the 407th Anti· Aircraft

Regiment.

Artilleryman in the 93rd Mountain

Artillery Regiment.

Colonial gunner wearing a flannel jacket. off·duty.

The Engineers

Corporal in the 2nd fortress

Engineers Regiment. wearing

winter off-duty dress.

- �

0

Lieutenant in the 8th Engineers Regiment, wearing the 193 1 l'lode1 N' 1

Uniform.

6 Lieutenant from

the 8th Engineers Regiment. wearing

battledress.

•

Sergent·Chef in the 1 8th

Engineers Regiment.

wearing battledress with

the telegrapher's insigna.

Caporal-Chef in the 1Oth fortress Engineers Regiment. wearing battledress.

45

6

The (Supply) Train

Lieutenant in the 16th Train Squadron. wearing the 1931 Model N' 1 Uniform.

Motorcyclist in the 6th Train

Squadron, on traffic duty.

o

Automobile driver in the supply train.

Brigadier in the !20th

Automobile Squadron

of the General Reserve according

to a period photograph.

Driver in the 2nd Train Squadron

The Gendarmerie

' ®

Gendarme wearing battledress, after a photograph taken in April 1940.

Gendarme in the outfit worn

for civil disturbances.

Gendannerie Adjudant·Chef


®.

Garde Républicain Mobile (GRM

Jllobile Republican Guard) assigned

to the Jllaginot Line.

Gendannerie Lieutenant in the outfit worn for civil disturbances.

47

The Medica! Corps

Inspector-Doctor wearing

the 1930 Model N' 1

Uniform.

Pharmacist in service dress.

Doctor wearing the 1931 Model N' 1

Uniform.

Doctor in service uniform.

Doctor wearing battledress.

The Medica! Corps (and miscellaneous)

Nurse wearing battledress.

Catholic Almoner wearing battledress.

Hospital Administration Officer.

Veterinary Officer wearing service dress.

Doctor in tbe ColoniaJe. wearing tbe 193 1 Model N• 1

Unilorm.

49

50

The Services

Controller-Generat 1st Class. wearing

the 1931 Jllodel uniform.

-..

Sub-Inspector on the Jllilitary

Kailway Service.

Assistant Jllilitary Justice Officer.

Caporal-Chef in the Jllilitary Administration

Workers section.

Assistant Payer. 1st Class, from

the Army Treasury Service.

The Paris Fire Brigade

Fireman from the Paris Fire Brigade wearing

service dress.

+ "

Corporal in the Paris Fire Brigade in full dress.

Caporal-Chef in the Paris

Fire Brigade. in the uniform

worn when on duty at the Parisian

theatres.

Fireman from the Paris Fire Brigade in fire·fighting outfit.

Lieutenant in the Paris fire Brigade wearing service dress.

51

The zouaves

Corporal in oriental dress.

� «>OW .... regOmm"" insignia and Légion d'Honneur

aiguillette awarded to the regiment on 25 December 1918.In 1939. the 9th Zouaves belonged to the 87th DIA.

Corporal in winter olf·duty dress.

Lieutenant wearing the 1931 l'lodel N' 1 Uniform, also showing the details of the rear of the sleeve.

Corporal wearing battledress.

Lieutenant wearing battledress.

The Algerian, Tunisian and Moroccan Tirailleurs

ative Tirailleur wearing off-duty dress with the hooded collar.

•

Corporal wearing battledress.

u

Regimenta! insignia and

the Great War aiguütette.

Re-engaged Sergeant wearing town dress.

Captain wearing the 1931

Model N' 1 Uniform. ote that the officer

has kept bis "baggy" trousers.

Sergent-Chef wearing battledress.

53

The Foreign Legion The kepi had a white

cover; some models covered the top part

Legionary in the 13th DBLE. in action at Narvik.

Corporal. from the 2nd KEI (Régiment

Etranger d'lnfanterie) wearing off-duty dress.

He is wearing the TOE Croix de Guerre

aiguillette.

of the headdress completely.

•

Brigadier in the 2nd KEC, wearing

battledress and a canvas gandoura over

the uniform.

Captain in the 2nd KEI wearing Uniform N' 1 of the 1931 Model.

The Mrican Light Infantry Battalions (BILA)

Corporal from the 1st BILA,

wearing off-duty dress.

Adjudant wearing white off-duty dress.

• "'

Chasseur in the 1st BILA,

...

Chasseur in the 1st BlLA.

wearing canvas uniforrn with 1931

Model topee.

lieutenant wearing Uniforrn i'l� 1 of the 1931 Model.

55

The African Chasseurs

Lieutenant wearing the 1931 Mode1 N' 1 Uniform.

Brigadier in the Mechanised

Squadron of the 4th RCA, in around 1938.

o

Captain in the 2nd RCA (Hégiment des Chasseurs d'Afrique).

Captain in the Mechanised

Squadron of the 3rd RCA, in about 1938.

Brigadier in the 4th RCA, wearing traditional dress.

The Algerian and Moroccan Spahis

Lieutenant in the 6th RSA (Régiment de Spahis algériens) wearing the 1931 l'lodel N' 1

Uniform.

Trooper in the 6th Algerian Spahi

Regiment wearing campaign dress.

o

•

Lieutenant in the 2nd l'loroccan Spahi Regiment wearing daytime dress, with both burnooses. The l'loroccan Spahis could be distinguished from the Algerian ones by their dark blue instead·of madder red burnoose and by their kepi and coUar attributes: the Sharifian star •

Algerian Brigadier wearing off·duty dress.

Trooper in the 6th Algerian Spahi Regiment during the french Campaign. He is carrying an MAS 36 slung over bis shoulder. The bayonet and its sheath were therefore no longer worn on the belt.

57

58

The Saharan Companies

Méharist (camel "trooper")

in battledress.

o , a

Lieutenant in the Saharan Companies. wearing the 1931

Model 1'1' 1 Uniform. Sous-Lieutenant in the Saharan wearing canvas uniform.

Saharan Tirailleur.

The Levant Special Troops

Caporal-Chef in the Light Desert Armoured Car Squadrons wearing

off-duty dress.

..

Infantryman in off-duty dress.

Lebanese Chasseur wearing off-duty dress.

Artilleryman in off-duty dress.

'\atin' "'CO

in the mounled squadroo. .,. earing baWedress.

59

The Colonial Troops

Corporal wearing a dark blue Hannel jacket.

•

Corporal wearing off-duty dress. He is wearing

the electrician's insignia.

Soldier wearing the khaki canvas off-duty uniform worn in the Colonies.

•

6 Soldier of the 23rd

RIC (Régiment d'lnfanterie

Coloniale), wearing winter off-duty dress.

Soldier in the 21st RIC wearing battledress.

The Colonial Troops

•

Senegalese Tirailleur wearing a jacket.

... Adjudant

in service dress.

Corporal from the 24th Mixed Colonial lnfantry Regiment in the Levant in 1940.

Colonial lnfantry lieutenant wearing

tbe 193 1 Model N" 1

linifonn.

Tirailleur in the 56th RTS wearing battledress.

61

The Air Force

Aircraftman in the uniform worn for guarding the air

bases during the French Campaign

Caporai·Chef at N' 1 02

Air Base, wearing parade dress in summer, after a drawing by Maurice Toussaint.

Aircraftman, 1st class, wearing

service dress.

Aircraftman wearing parade

dress, after a period

photograph.

Sergeant Mechanic in the 5th Aviation Group wearing service dress.

The Air Force

Pilot-Sergeant in the Fighter Group (GC) 1/5.

TheSPA 67

(whose insignia is shown above) was mentioned twice in the Order of the Army in 1914·1918;it was the first group to bear the Croix de Guerre 14-18 aiguillette.

* -��

Pilot-Lieutenant wearing a flying suit.

� Czech PUot·Sergeant incorporated in the GC1/5 during the french Campaign.

He is wearing the Czech brevet together with the french one he obtained after qualifying on an Armée de I'Air machine.

PUot aDd eqaipaoa> for b.igh .a.ltitu<

loget.btt ltb lemer'dtt

�e.

63

The Navy

Sailor wearing off· duty dress.

Sailor. 1st Class, in the landing companies.

Quarter-l'laster wearing parade dress.

Chief-Quarter-l'laster wearing winter off-duty

uniform.

Sailor, 1st Class. wearing summer uniform.

The Navy

Brevetted Second-l'laster wearing off-duty dress.

Quarter-l'laster bugler.

..

Non-brevetted Second-l'laster in the landing companies.

Ensign in the Aéronavale (french Fleet Air Arm). pilot

assigned to Flotilla 4S.I. flying a CAMS 37 seaplane.

Master in the landing companies.

� (9

BIBLIOGRAPHY, SOURCES

WE BSITES - Chasseurs de mémoire http//militaria.conceptbb.corn/ - Pages 14-18 http://www.pages14-18.com - Mémoire des hommes http://INININ.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/

BOOKS - t.:uniforme et les armes des soldats de la guerre 1939-1945. L. et F. Funcken. Éditions Casterman - 1940, l'infanterie. F. Vauvillier. Argout éditions, Paris - Les uniformes de l'armée franya.ise 1939-1940 commented by F. Vauvillier. Self Edition - Curtiss au combat. Olivier Lapray. Histoire & Collections, Paris - Les chasseurs d'Afrique. J. Sicard & F. Vauvillier. Histoire & Collections, Paris - Les char 8 au combat. F. Vauvillier & S. Bonnaud Histoire & Collections, Paris

- La ligne Maginot. Tomes 1 a 5. J.-Y. Mary & A. Hohnadel et J. Sicard. Histoire & Collections, Paris - The French Army. Men at Arms no 315 F. Vauvillier & Mike Chappell. Osprey publishing - Les uniformes de I'Armée Franya.ise. M. Toussaint, Cdt. Bucquoy. Éditions militaires il/ustrées, 19 déc. 1935

MAGAZINE$ - Collections from Militaría Magazine, Histoire & Collections, Paris - Collections from GBM, Histoire & Collections, Paris - Collections from Uniformes, Éditions Régi-Armes, Paris - Special lssue Uniformes no 26 " Les soldats de la bataille de France " , Éditions Régi-Armes, Paris - Special lssue Uniformes no 7 "La légion étrangere", Éditions Régi-Armes, Paris

- Collections from musée de I'Armée, Paris - Collections from musée des troupes de marine, Fréjus

The author would particular/y like to thank 0/ivier Be/lec

AJI rights reserved. No part of this publication can be transmitted or reproouced without the written consent of the authors and the ¡:JOOisher.

: 978-2-35250-179-4

isher"s umber: 35250

e- re & Collections 201 o

This book has been realised by André Jouineau and Jean-Marie Mongin Histoire & Collections 201 O

�--------------------------. � a book printed by

HISTOIRE & COLLECTIONS 5, avenue de la République F-75541 Paris Cédex 11

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November 201 O

Off�ERSondS0104ERSol

N' 1 . Officers and soldiers ol the

American Civil War Yolume 1

lnfantry

1

N' 5. Officers and soldiers al the

French Hussars, 1786-1815 Yolume 1

From the 'Ancien Regime· to the Empire


French Hussars, 1804-12 Yolume 3

From the 9th to the 12th Regiment

L,IIJI'!·t:t..� l�tectUiimJ

OFFICERS ancl SOLDIERS

..

available

1 OfFICI:RSondSOIOIERSci

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American Civil War Volume 2

Cavalry, artillery

OffiCERSand�HSci

N' 6. Oflicers and soldiers al the

French Imperial Guard, 1804-15 Yolume 3

Cavalry (Part Two)

1 _QI"�ICERSa..d�lSol

m ülli1Rlml �©rolill

5.The.-.rtllleryTrain.thell·agonTrain. Administratioo,theMedica!Ser\lct:,tkadquartersS;.aff

• 1 _,,...,:-J

N' 1 O. Officers and so/diers al the

French Imperial Guard, 1804-15 Yolume 5

Train, Medica! 5ervice, HQ 5taff.


french Imperial Guard, 1804--15 Yolume 1

Foot soldiers

1 Ql:f,!CE lS and SO!OIE�Sci

1 N' 7, Oflicers and soldrers o: -::e

French Hussars, 1804--12 Yolume 2

From the 1st to the 8th Regime

N' 11, Qf;cers aoa wces �French Arm\" 19 P

Yolumé 1 August-December 191 �

; 4. french

OFFICERS and SOLDIERS of the french Army in 1940

ISBN: 978-2-35250-179-4

111111 111111 111111 11111 1111111 9 782352 501794

T HIS, THE THIRTEENTH BOOK IN THE "OFFICERS AND

collection, shows the French Anny during the Phoney

War and the French Campaign in May-June 1940.

Continuing the work - started two years ago by André Jouineau in the two volumes dealing with the 1914-1918 armies- given

over to an almost exhaustive survey of French Anny uniforms and outfits during the two World Wars, this volume shows almost

sixty colour plates with no less than 300 uniforms, severa! dozen

insignia and equipment illustrations.

Particular attention has been paid to the description of the combat groups

and the servants of the unit weapons. Shown are the uniforms of the Military Academies, the HQ Staff, the lnfantry, the

Fortress lnfantry, the Mountain lnfantry, the Chasseurs a Pied, the Chasseurs

Alpins, the Corps F'rancs, the Narvik troops, the Cuirassiers, the Motorised

and Mechanised Dragoons, the Hussars, the Chasseurs a Cheval, the Armoured

Car Regiments, the Oroupes de Reconnaissance, the Artillery, the Tanks, the

Engineers, the París Firemen, the Oendarrnerie, the Train, th Medica! Corps,

the Administration Services, the Zouaves, the Tirailleurs, the Foreign Legion, the Spahis, the Chasseurs d'Afrique, the Saharan companies, the Levant

Special Troops, the Colonial Troops, the Air Force and the Navy.

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