Impression questions

[machinko]

Hi guys

My name is Nic and I used to reenact US Airborne and after quiting a few years ago I decided to start reenacting again. I want to potray a French Paratrooper from the Battle of Dien Bien Phu as it is one of those battles I was always fascinated with.

I tend to do my own research when building a Impression however there are a few areas in which I am lost.

I hope some members on here won't mind helping me out.

Firstly what is the deal with berets? I noticed on ebay some vendors are selling in country made unofficial berets, did French paras wear these? Also is there any vendor selling good reproduction French paratrooper berets?
Could someone please also tell me which units wore the red beret and which the green?

In regards to a rifle, did any French paras at Dien Bien Phu have the MAS 36? I understand the common one was the CR39 however these are very rare locally and I have the chance to buy a MAS 36 cheaply.

In regards to gear could someone tell me what sort of Musette bag should I be looking for?

Also I have a M1c I no longer use. Is there any vendor selling the liners used by French paras or should I try converting it by myself?

Hope someone can help.

Nic

[slehman]

Nic

Welcome to the forum. I'm ready to head out the door to a hockey game but I'm sure someone will chime in. If not I'll take a good look when I get back.

Cheers
Steven

[machinko]

Hi Steven

Found some info on the Musette bags and that US musettes can be used.

However could use some help with berets and rifles.

Thanks

Nic

[slehman]

I've dug out my books last night but take a look under 'up coming events' under the subject 'DBP'. Much of what you're looking for will be listed under the unit requirements. Traditionally Legion jump units wore the green and Colonial/Metro wore the red. Unless you're on parade or high ranking HQ, the field hat or jump helmet was the norm.

Steven

[slehman]

Check under the French weapons title for a complete description however quickly:
In theory a section was led by a Sgt carrying a MAT-49.
The MG group was led by a Cpl carrying a MAT-49, with the gunner carrying the FM, and loader and ammo carrier carrying MAS36-39s.
The rifle group was lead by a Cpl carrying a MAT-49 with a mix of MAS36-39s and MAS49s.

As for the MAS-36 CR-39s being rare locally, that my friend is an understatement, they're rare internationally.

Steven

[lew]

For Parachute units:

Metropolitan- IIe/1e RCP, 17e RALP, airborne surgical units, etc...: Blue berets
Colonial- 1e BPC, 6e BPC, 8e BPChoc, etc...: Red
Legion- 1e, 2e BEP: Green

Khaki berets with the appropriate were common amongst other- artillery, armored, Legion infantry- units.

Pick a unit first and then go from there constructing an impression. The units wore widely varying uniforms, although a US "frog skin" camo jacket and British Windproof trousers would work for any of the colonial or Legion para units. US M1 helmets with a variety of suspension systems were the standard. Mle. 51 helmets were used by non-airborne units.

Some pointers:

-Denison smocks were rare outside of 8e Choc; they were the only unit to be issued them en masse. 8e Choc had their own cap made from Windproof or US camo. Any combination of the Denison smock, Windproof ensemble, or US camo uniform could be seen. A mere handful had 47/52 TAP uniform items. Web gear was mostly French, with some American and a handful of British items thrown in.
-6e BPC wore the "Bigeard Cap" made from Windproof fabric, and were issued US M43 double buckle boots. Windproof trousers and US camo jackets were de rigueur. French, American, or British web gear.
-IIe/1e RCP: Tailor-made US camo bush hat, Mle. 50 boots, Windproof tops and trousers. French web gear.
-1e BPC: Mle. 47/52 TAP uniform, Mle. 50 boots. French web gear.
-1e, 2e BEP: Windproof trousers, US camo jacket; some wore Mle. 47/52 uniforms. French, American, or British web gear.
-1e RALP- Mle. 47/52 TAP uniforms, Mle. 50 boots. French web gear.
-5e BPVN- Mle. 47/53 TAP uniforms, Mle. 50 boots. French web gear.

I got my repro French helmet liners off of eBay. The supplier- can't recall the name- also has a website. I have an M1C helmet and suspension, and the two other M1 helmets have a TAP 50/51 and CEFEO variants of the suspension respectively. J. Murray Militaria is a great source for anything M1 helmet-related.

The MAS Mle. 36 CR39 was the standard infantry weapon, being supplemented by the MAT Mle. 49 SMG, with the FM 24/29 and Browning 1919A4 and A6 in support. Most of the CR39s were destroyed in the late '50's as it was supplanted by the MAS Mle. 49/56 semi-automatic rifle. At DBP, MAS Mle. 49 rifles would have been rare in the airborne units.

In the "Algerian War" subsection, I have a photo essay with the packs used by the French forces.

French Mle. 50 "Bergam" frame packs can still be found. eBay.fr will be your friend. Doursoux.com makes first-rate three-part beret repros in blue, red, and green.

[machinko]

Hi guys

Thanks for all the replies.

I have not decided on a unit yet because I wanted to research first if the MAS 36 rifles were used at DBP and if yes by what units.
So a MAS 39 would be considered farby for a DBP event?

At this stage I would be leaning more towards 2e BEP.

Thanks

Nic

[slehman]

Without digging too much, MAS 39? Were you referring to the MAS-36 CR39 or the MAS-49? Personally I'm not familiar with a rifle called the MAT39. The MAS=36 was standard French issue, just not standard to airborne units as they developed the CR39 for jumping.

Nic you know just about every piece of information that you're looking for is on the site, if you want to research weapons then there's a subject for that. If you want to talk about uniform standards, same thing. You can answer so many questions and save yourself a ton of time by browsing through the site. The guys have put in a ton of hard work, try not to make them type it fresh every time a new guys signs up.

Bonne chance
Steven

[machinko]

Sorry about that.
I mean MAS 36. What I want to know is can I reenact authentically a French paratrooper with a standard long MAS 36 not the folding stock version.

Thanks

Nic

[lew]

Well, given the fact that there are a mere handful of MAS Mle. 36 CR39s in the US (assuming you're in the US), and few in existence worldwide, using one for an impression is simply not feasible, leaving the only real option that of using a regular Mle. 36. As an aside, some paras at DBP and other battles did use the standard Mle. 36, although these were by far a minority. An M1 Carbine- full stock or M1A1- is another viable option.