Tomb1302 Posted 22 September , 2019 Author Share Posted 22 September , 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, robins2 said: they look like a battle hardened group, the individual holding the shell looks like he is wearing wood shoes??clogs?? @robins2 I'm very happy you brought that up, as, it was what stood out to me the most. I love the faces and the mud caking their boots. Edited 22 September , 2019 by Tomb1302 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomb1302 Posted 22 September , 2019 Author Share Posted 22 September , 2019 An interesting image I found of some French soldiers. Can anyone date it for me? In terms of the evolution of uniforms, when would this have been? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 22 September , 2019 Share Posted 22 September , 2019 Great photo. Looks like a group of men in good spirits and good health. 23 on collar presumably meens 23rd Infantry Regt. I see they have a citation: Citation : "Régiment d'un moral très haut, a constamment fait preuve, au cours de la campagne, d'une belle ardeur offensive et d'une grande habileté manœuvrière." There is a unit history here I don't know what the little symbol indicates below the '23' on the collar ? Adrian helmet means late 1915 onwards. The horizon blue uniform and puttees were introduced earlier. What about the rifles ? Presumably that is the Lebel, which could be in use throughout the war. What is the cap worn by the soldier second from right ? The arrow above the man fourth from right- is there a name on the back of the photo ? Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 22 September , 2019 Share Posted 22 September , 2019 (edited) 9 minutes ago, charlie962 said: What is the cap worn by the soldier second from right ? French version of the garrison cap, I think. Less pronounced edges than normal. Edited 22 September , 2019 by Jools mckenna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattyowls Posted 22 September , 2019 Share Posted 22 September , 2019 What is striking to me at least is the age difference in the two groups, the first group look middle aged and the second youthful. Very evocative images, the second one reminds me of a photo of my grandfather's comrades just before they left for France in 1917. Thanks for posting them. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomb1302 Posted 22 September , 2019 Author Share Posted 22 September , 2019 10 minutes ago, Fattyowls said: What is striking to me at least is the age difference in the two groups, the first group look middle aged and the second youthful. Very evocative images, the second one reminds me of a photo of my grandfather's comrades just before they left for France in 1917. Thanks for posting them. Pete. Pete, one of the most powerful ways to experience the war is to collect these images, and, that's what I seek to do. I do agree, it struck me immediately. Clean shaven boys in the second image, but, hardened soldiers in the first. Great remark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomb1302 Posted 3 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2019 Just a friendly 'bump' to revive this thread a little. Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 3 October , 2019 Share Posted 3 October , 2019 Just discovering this thread… interesting conversation going on here … mind if I just jump in??? @Tomb: Lived in Strasbourg for 3 years, which triggered my interest for the French part also a bit… Still more often delved into the British side, but I am known to sometimes go over the language border and see what the French army has to offer, historically speaking… M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattyowls Posted 3 October , 2019 Share Posted 3 October , 2019 1 hour ago, Marilyne said: Just discovering this thread… interesting conversation going on here … mind if I just jump in??? @Tomb: Lived in Strasbourg for 3 years, which triggered my interest for the French part also a bit… Still more often delved into the British side, but I am known to sometimes go over the language border and see what the French army has to offer, historically speaking… M. Welcome aboard Major. @Tomb1302 I've been trying to find a quote to start a discussion of the impact and scope of the 1917 mutinies. It appears in anglocentric accounts in varying degrees of inaccuracy as far as I can see and I'd be interested to see what the forum's take was. I'll be back as they say in the movies....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomb1302 Posted 4 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 4 October , 2019 8 hours ago, Marilyne said: Just discovering this thread… interesting conversation going on here … mind if I just jump in??? @Tomb: Lived in Strasbourg for 3 years, which triggered my interest for the French part also a bit… Still more often delved into the British side, but I am known to sometimes go over the language border and see what the French army has to offer, historically speaking… M. @Marilyne, feel free to share whatever you'd like about the French army, that's why I have this thread up! 7 hours ago, Fattyowls said: Welcome aboard Major. @Tomb1302 I've been trying to find a quote to start a discussion of the impact and scope of the 1917 mutinies. It appears in anglocentric accounts in varying degrees of inaccuracy as far as I can see and I'd be interested to see what the forum's take was. I'll be back as they say in the movies....... Fantastic @Fattyowls, thank you. I do believe you talked about having information of the French involvement in Champagne (in relation to one of my postcards), but never shared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 4 October , 2019 Share Posted 4 October , 2019 Just to have at least an active contribution... a cold and windy November day at Neuville-St Vaast Vive la France! M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomb1302 Posted 4 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 4 October , 2019 3 hours ago, Marilyne said: Just to have at least an active contribution... a cold and windy November day at Neuville-St Vaast Vive la France! M. Chilling. I was fortunate enough to see firsthand the Ossuary of Douaumont at Verdun and it was a life-changing experience. Thanks for sharing @Marilyne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battle of loos Posted 4 October , 2019 Share Posted 4 October , 2019 On 22/09/2019 at 23:11, Jools mckenna said: French version of the garrison cap, I think. Less pronounced edges than normal. good morning, in this picture, they're horsemen. according to the color of the jacket we are in the presence of hussars. blue jacket red pants clovers on the shoulder legs. the port of the cap is worn in barracks and bivouac. Hussars wear a schako as a hairstyle in combat. the uniform will change with the evolution of the war. regards miche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battle of loos Posted 4 October , 2019 Share Posted 4 October , 2019 (edited) On 22/09/2019 at 21:52, Tomb1302 said: An interesting image I found of some French soldiers. Can anyone date it for me? In terms of the evolution of uniforms, when would this have been? good morning, this photo is from the 1920s. The uniform is always horizon blue. The only difference comes from the buttons. button stamped with a grenade in flames for the First World War. smooth bulging button post 1920 (as in this photo). regards michel Edited 4 October , 2019 by battle of loos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 4 October , 2019 Share Posted 4 October , 2019 5 minutes ago, battle of loos said: The only difference comes from the buttons clever stuff ! On 22/09/2019 at 23:02, charlie962 said: I don't know what the little symbol indicates below the '23' on the collar ? Michel, do you know what this means ? Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battle of loos Posted 4 October , 2019 Share Posted 4 October , 2019 on the other hand, the corporal has a home iD plate on his right wrist (typical of the 20s/30s & post 1945): since 1918 : since 1881 : regards michel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools mckenna Posted 4 October , 2019 Share Posted 4 October , 2019 1 hour ago, battle of loos said: good morning, in this picture, they're horsemen. according to the color of the jacket we are in the presence of hussars. blue jacket red pants clovers on the shoulder legs. the port of the cap is worn in barracks and bivouac. Hussars wear a schako as a hairstyle in combat. the uniform will change with the evolution of the war. regards miche They are labeled chasseurs on the back(period writing in french), so I doubt they are hussars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battle of loos Posted 4 October , 2019 Share Posted 4 October , 2019 I had forgotten that the "Chasseur à Cheval" had the same uniform except that they wore the helmet (identical to that of the Garde Républicaine). michel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattyowls Posted 4 October , 2019 Share Posted 4 October , 2019 21 hours ago, Tomb1302 said: I do believe you talked about having information of the French involvement in Champagne (in relation to one of my postcards), but never shared. T, Can you remind me what that was? I looked back over my recent posts and wasn't sure. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomb1302 Posted 5 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 5 October , 2019 (edited) 13 hours ago, battle of loos said: good morning, this photo is from the 1920s. The uniform is always horizon blue. The only difference comes from the buttons. button stamped with a grenade in flames for the First World War. smooth bulging button post 1920 (as in this photo). regards michel @battle of loos, as always, your uniform contributions are fantastic. I'm mildly disappointed to have missed out on the 14 - 18 period with this postcard, but, it remains a fantastic photograph nonetheless. I'm amazed by how keen your observation was, and will definitely be more attentive. The clear 3 part-mold helmet means this photo was definitely taken between 1920 and 1926, right? 4 hours ago, Fattyowls said: T, Can you remind me what that was? I looked back over my recent posts and wasn't sure. @Fattyowls I looked over and seemed to have been mistaken, my apologies! Edited 5 October , 2019 by Tomb1302 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattyowls Posted 5 October , 2019 Share Posted 5 October , 2019 5 hours ago, Tomb1302 said: I looked over and seemed to have been mistaken, my apologies! Absolutely no problem mon ami. I like Champagne (the region not the beverage) but my knowledge is limited. That's what this thread can help with....... Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battle of loos Posted 5 October , 2019 Share Posted 5 October , 2019 good morning, you can see in the pictures of the from May/June 40 of the French soldiers equipped with the helmet "Adrian mle 15". 7 hours ago, Tomb1302 said: The clear 3 part-mold helmet means this photo was definitely taken between 1920 and 1926, right? that's what it's all about. regards michel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battle of loos Posted 5 October , 2019 Share Posted 5 October , 2019 good morning, here is the French model I had made (I had to part with regret). Fight of Loos on 09 but 1915. regards michel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomb1302 Posted 5 October , 2019 Author Share Posted 5 October , 2019 10 minutes ago, battle of loos said: good morning, here is the French model I had made (I had to part with regret). Fight of Loos on 09 but 1915. regards michel Michel, You own the components of the entire model?! Where and how long did it take you to do this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battle of loos Posted 5 October , 2019 Share Posted 5 October , 2019 complete to the underpants and the shirt - the small personal belongings. I was missing that greatcoat it took me about 20 years (several poses in the collection for professional reasons). I had only bought objects dated before 1915 and so marked in relation to regiments having come to fight at Loos. michel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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