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Post by boogii on Jun 16, 2015 13:09:58 GMT -5
Greetings, I represent a new Foreign Legion LHG currently formed of three members: Simon (Sussex, UK), Thierry (Amiens, FR), and Rob, myself (Suffolk, UK). While at the moment we mainly represent the 13 DBLE during WW2, our eventual aim is to represent Legionnaires from a variety of conflicts ranging between the Mexican Intervention and the end of the Algerian War. Whilst at the moment we only have an interest, rather than an ability, in portraying the 13DBLE in Indochina, I thought it would be a good time for us to get on here and give what we can to the collective wisdom of these boards, and probably take out a vast more.  You can find our Facebook page HERE. Please join if you like, and join in our personal discussions. Here is a very tentative look towards our Indochina impression, and also our other more regular impression. Thank you for you interest.   |
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Post by lew on Jun 16, 2015 18:36:12 GMT -5
Bienvenue dans notre petit forum, Rob. I lack a Facebook account, so I can only see the photos presented here, which look very well done. I'm in Michigan, USA, and my focus is on the Colonial and Metropolitan Airborne units, with a slight bias toward the Algerian War. Read through some of the recent intro threads for some recommendation by myself and others. Make yerself comfortable and feel free to ask questions. We're happy to chime in, and choose, at our discretion, to ridicule you mercilessly should you ask stupid questions.  No matter how much knowledge we have crammed in our noggins, we're all still learning. Cheers! |
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Post by craigtx on Jun 17, 2015 8:55:50 GMT -5
Bonjoir Rob!
Nice to see that you've found the forum!
Lots of good info here look around!
Craig
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Post by lew on Jun 17, 2015 9:20:44 GMT -5
If you haven't heard (looks like you know M. Craig), our Panzerfaust Mle. 47/52 tenue de saut "group buy" is open for last-minute additions.
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Post by boogii on Jun 17, 2015 10:50:18 GMT -5
Indeed, I've seen the post on the "20th Century French Reenactors" wall on FB, but alas I haven't the cash for it currently. A great shame, I'd love to have one.
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Post by boogii on Jun 17, 2015 13:52:45 GMT -5
That is of course if the III/13DBLE wore them at Dien Bien Phu. That is the impression I'm keenest on, alongside an earlier impression. Still discovering the actualities of the kit.
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Post by lew on Jun 17, 2015 17:30:02 GMT -5
They did not. The 47/52 TTA (olive drab) uniform was their standard (someone will correct me if I'm mistaken). Craig is our resident FFL "expert", at least he's more knowledgeable than the rest of us. M. Guyader's Foreign Legion in Indochina 1946-1956 is the reference you are looking for.
The Mle. 47/52 TAP camouflage and OD uniforms saw partial issue in most of the para units starting in late 1953, but few units were equipped entirely with it, 1e BPColonial when they jumped in near the end was an exception.
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Post by boogii on Jun 18, 2015 2:03:22 GMT -5
Understood, best save my money then  I have that book, and will be going through it at some stage too. |
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Post by craigtx on Jun 18, 2015 12:11:19 GMT -5
After a quick look at Guyader, and the Osprey Men At Arms The French Indochina War 1946 - 54, typically the infantry uniforms were the OD 47/52 TTA.
There are, however, some great pictures in Guyader on pages 77 - 79 that show Legionnaires in the 13e DBLE and 3e & 5e REI wearing German Oakleaf camo in the early war years.
Craig
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Post by boogii on Jun 18, 2015 13:00:38 GMT -5
Another book I have. I've currently been concentrating on the general histories of the war, rather than the details of the uniform. I will get around to all that research in the near future  |
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Post by lew on Jun 18, 2015 13:49:58 GMT -5
Where'd ya get your képi blanc?
I have a bunch of Mle. 47/54 TTA uniforms, plus a couple chapeaus de brousse Mle. 49 and would just need the képi to complete an FFL infantry impression. An NCO képi would be a bonus.
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Post by boogii on Jun 18, 2015 16:27:50 GMT -5
Bought mine at a show long ago. Its not technically correct for WW2, but is for Indochina (the Mle1935's don't exist or at +$1000 to purchase). La Tranchee Militaire is selling some really cheaply at the moment if you're a size 58 or 59. Otherwise Ebay is the only sure bet. They tend to cost around $60 for the Kepi + $20 for the cover. NCO kepis did not differ from other enlisted ranks, so any standard one is fine. They often wore the Kepi without the white cover on though, at least on parade. In WW2 this arrangement was relatively common in battle, I'm less certain of that in Indochina. The Kepi seems to have been saved for off-duty or parade wear rather than combat.
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Post by lew on Jun 19, 2015 8:06:17 GMT -5
The képi for all ranks above caporal-chef (or that rank after 15 years service) is black with a red crown and gold braid. I'd likely just focus on the képi blanc for starters. How is the sizing?My measured noggin size is 59, but some head wear varies. It did see use in the field in Algeria, but the chapeau de brousse was far more commonly worn on operations amongst the non-airborne regiments.
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Post by craigtx on Jun 19, 2015 9:06:41 GMT -5
Steve, I usually wear a 59 in most hats, but in kepis I find that a 59 1/2 or 60 works well for me.
Also I saved a little by makin' my own cover. Which is surprisingly easy to do. If you track one down I can copy my pattern and send it to ya.
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Post by boogii on Jun 19, 2015 9:11:40 GMT -5
Yeah I'd agree. Also ignore the gobbledigook I wrote up above. I was beyond tired haha. I'm a 58 and I wear a 58 1/2 most comfortably.The ones from La Tranchee Militarie would be perfect for you. Covers can be a little tricky to find in the right size, but Ebay is generally quite reliable. Round up for the covers, so if you buy a 58 1/2 kepi ensure to buy a 59 cover.
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schmutz
Nouvelle arrivée
Check the wire, please
Posts: 15 
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Post by schmutz on Jun 19, 2015 9:53:14 GMT -5
Welcome Rob!
I've seen your pics on Facebook ----- well done.
We have a DBP event coming up next year here in the States. Hope you can make it!
Cheers,
Mick
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Post by lew on Jun 19, 2015 15:34:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice, guys.
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Post by boogii on Jul 4, 2015 3:55:51 GMT -5
Playing around in the swamps a bit!  |
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Post by lew on Jul 4, 2015 11:43:41 GMT -5
Excellent photography.
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Post by boogii on Jul 7, 2015 5:51:05 GMT -5
Thanks very much! Its something I take a lot of pride in!  |
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Post by lew on Jul 7, 2015 7:51:14 GMT -5
Yeah, looks you got the photo skills down. Very nicely done. Who knew England could fill in so well for SE Asia. |
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Post by boogii on Jul 7, 2015 12:23:01 GMT -5
Black and white + large aperture is a wonderful mix for keeping the background relatively unidentifiable haha This place is literally right behind my house. It looks nearly perfect (except perhaps to a trained botanist haha). |
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Post by lew on Jul 7, 2015 13:18:36 GMT -5
That's convenient. Needs some ominous music playing in the background as our the stars unwittingly blunder into a VM ambush.
Is there a reason for the lack of weaponry? Public space and don't want to startle the locals?
Cheers!
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Post by boogii on Jul 8, 2015 4:29:52 GMT -5
That and the fact my MAS is currently being massacred by an armorer. Should hopefully get it back by the end of the month.
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Post by lew on Jul 8, 2015 11:01:01 GMT -5
Putting a red dot sight, rails, laser, and folding stock on it, are we?  |
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Post by boogii on Jul 8, 2015 11:51:09 GMT -5
Neon camo paint, extended mags yeah the whole shebang haha. Nah, just getting it deactivated unfortunately.
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Post by lew on Jul 8, 2015 15:50:42 GMT -5
Ouch. My condolences. What about the Mle. 36 makes it verboten while other bolt action rifles are good to go over there?
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Post by craigtx on Jul 8, 2015 21:24:32 GMT -5
Ouch, indeed! Quite a shame!
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Post by boogii on Jul 9, 2015 4:36:57 GMT -5
Nothing different about it. Gun laws are strict in this country. You need a Firearms Certificate 1 to hold live firing bolt-action weapons. They're expensive. I don't have one. Not too bothered though. I did my time in the army, fired enough guns, I'm sort of over it haha.
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Post by lew on Jul 9, 2015 10:30:04 GMT -5
UK and Continental politics almost make that of the US look sensible. Almost. Enough about that before we all get riled up. You could just declare yourself a criminal and receive official state sanction and license. All this talk makes me want go listen to some street punk and rant and rave against the government. If ya don't mind, what unit were you in? By the by, yer chapeau de brousse looks spot-on to how it was commonly worn in Indo. I still wear mine when I'm out and about in the bush. |
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No matter how much knowledge we have crammed in our noggins, we're all still learning.
I have that book, and will be going through it at some stage too. 
