Expanding my reenactment horizons

[astone]

Hi guys,

I finally decided to fill the gap between my WW2 and Vietnam War impressions so here I am Started going through the "The French Foreign Legion in Indochina" by Guyader and this forum and I'm a bit overwhelmed by all information.

I get the advice often given here, to first figure out the unit and the period, and then start buying. But I would like to figure it out based on the uniform I fell in love with - combination of windproof trousers and frogskin jacket! To which unit and period would that put me in? I'm looking for Legion para impression.



I am not new to reenactment so I'm well aware to stay away from "I have a pic that they used it in Indochina!" approach. I kind of have an idea of what I like from Indochina and I would also like to utilize some things I already have (if possible) but if you say to me that such combination is nonsense or equals to waring of splinter camo gear, I will take that advice humbly.



So I'm thinking of this:

UC Army Camo HBT Jacket - www.sofmilitary.co.uk/us-army-camouflage-hbt-jacket-in-light-tone-camouflage.html

Windproof Trousers - www.sofmilitary.co.uk/windproof-camouflage-trousers-by-kay-canvas.html

Miltec pataugas

Chapeau de brousse TTA Mle 49 - which color? kaki or kaki clair? www.trancheemilitaire.com/equipements-et-accessoires/8797-24543-chapeau-de-brousse-tta-mle-49.html#/62-taille-59



I also kind of like Australian Slouch hat but I guess Chapeau de brousse would better?

I'm also thinking about buying the windproof trousers a bit bigger so I can downsize them and make some modifications with spare fabric that's left from it. I haven't figure it out completely which modification exactly, but I liked the ideas in Guyader's book. Bad idea?



I do already own MP-40. Can it be used with the combination I'm picturing above? Or am I getting closer to the splinter camo area? If it would be a no-no I would probably go for M1A1 carabine.



What I'm struggling with is the choice of gear and I was hoping you could point me in the right direction after answering the questions raised above.

I own some parts of un blancoed P37 webbing: belt, shoulder cross straps, L straps, small pack, large pack, waterbottle carrier (with blue bottle). No ammo pouches though. Can any of this be used or better to switch to

US or French gear?



I guess this could put me in 1e or 2e BEP?

[topbreak]

1. Welcome to the community.

2. Frogskins and Windproofs are a well documented combination, so you're off to a good start there.

3. As for webbing, both US and UK gear was used during the conflict. If you go with p/37, then universal pouches would be what you would want.

4. The French used some MP40s early in the war, but the M1 Carbine would allow your impression to run the full length of the war.

5. As far as I know, both green and tan bush hats were used. Tan ones were much more common though.

[earlymb]

I was under the impression that green bush hats are more of an Algeria-period thing? Ofc there might have been green locally made ones, but I think tan hats (au naturel or camouflaged with paint by hand) are the way to go for Indochina?

There are a number of shades possible under the 'tan' umbrella though. I have a near mint one that was issued to the Zahal, if you want I'll post a pic. It's quite a light shade of tan.

[astone]

Hi David, I'd love to see that please.

[lew]

Mar 3, 2022 5:57:31 GMT -5 earlymb said:

I was under the impression that green bush hats are more of an Algeria-period thing?

That is correct. Only speaking to the issued hat, the green ones started seeing issue in North Africa in 1953. One would think green would be more appropriate for jungle and forests and tan for

astone: You'll need to define the specific period and unit before deciding on gear. I'm not seeing much, if any, P37 kit worn by Legion paras after late 1951 or so. The latter years of the conflict would see more P44 gear, with a huge influx of US and then French web gear.

Windproofs and frogskins were used by just about every para unit, however. If you have leftover Windproof material, you can make a casquette Bigeard, although that would only be accurate for 6e BPC. 8e BPC had their own cap made from both frogskin and Windproof.*


*I like 8e BPC because just about anything goes with them: any combination of the Denison Smock, Windproofs, frogskins, Mle. 47/51 TAP jackets, Mle. 47/52 TAP uniforms; US M43 or French TAP Mle. 50 boots; chapeau de brousse, frogskin beret, or their own soft cap.

[astone]

guerre, earlymb, lew: Thanks for the advice about the hat. I will go with the tan chapeau de brousse.

lew: I will start with P37 and MP40, let's say for the early years. I just need to get the basic ammo pouches I'm missing. No unit specific hat, just chapeau de brousse. Later I'd add M1A1 and US web gear which would cover later years, I hope. Does that qualify me for 8e BPC or possibly 1e or 2e BPC too?

[craigtx]

Mar 3, 2022 17:35:21 GMT -5 astone said:

guerre, earlymb, lew: Thanks for the advice about the hat. I will go with the tan chapeau de brousse.

lew: I will start with P37 and MP40, let's say for the early years. I just need to get the basic ammo pouches I'm missing. No unit specific hat, just chapeau de brousse. Later I'd add M1A1 and US web gear which would cover later years, I hope. Does that qualify me for 8e BPC or possibly 1e or 2e BPC too?

Bienvenue! Sounds like you'll be off to a good start. I'd start shopping around for TAP web gear. I know that WPG has repros of the TAP50 belt which are very good (I just bought one.), TAP50 suspenders can still be found on eBay, and eBay.fr. WPG also carries repros of the various TAP uniforms. But collect them at your own pace. Welcome down the rabbit hole...

[lew]

Mar 3, 2022 17:35:21 GMT -5 astone said:

guerre, earlymb, lew: Thanks for the advice about the hat. I will go with the tan chapeau de brousse.

lew: I will start with P37 and MP40, let's say for the early years. I just need to get the basic ammo pouches I'm missing. No unit specific hat, just chapeau de brousse. Later I'd add M1A1 and US web gear which would cover later years, I hope. Does that qualify me for 8e BPC or possibly 1e or 2e BPC too?

Sounds like a solid plan.

All of those units used the equipment you listed, so you will have significant latitude.

[earlymb]

Mar 3, 2022 11:15:28 GMT -5 astone said:

Hi David, I'd love to see that please.

Here it is, pics are taken in full sun so keep that in mind:

[astone]

Sorry for the noob question gents, is anything from this set good for Indochina? I reckon the suspenders at least? I don't have my Guyader's book at hand at the moment.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203943381818

[earlymb]

Suspenders and pistol ammo pouch are good I think, the belt is a Tap 1950/53 so OK for late Indochina. Holster and canteen are more for Algeria. Overall, I would say this is a good Algeria-era set.

[astone]

Thank you David. I guess I will leave it be for now, I haven't even started aging my US webbing yet.

[earlymb]

An early TAP 1950 belt is quite hard to find, but you can convert a 50/53 belt or buy them repro. Suspenders are easy and cheap, as are MAS or MAT ammo pouches. The correct Mle.1951 canteen (gourde) is a bit more difficult but they are out there.

I came across this site, their prices mostly seem very reasonable: www.comptoirantiquedebourgogne.com/acc%C3%A8s-boutique/militaria/militaria-fran%C3%A7ais-indo-alg%C3%A9rie/

I don't have any personal experiences with them though.