QUESTION ABOUT BRITISH WWII ANKLETS...

[Legion Etrangere]

Question on anklets: As I await the arrival of the book on 3e BCCP in Indochina, I am wondering what the full use of British WWII P-37 Khaki web gaitors [ as well as green blancoed web gaitors ] during the early part of the FICW war. I've seen pics off an on but its usually been early war photographs of units on parade or making practice jumps. The photo of Capitaine Cazeaux sitting on a pannier awaiting a jump with a stick from the BCCP in 1949 is one such photo. It appears the anklets were khaki.

Could this be correct?

The only thing I can gauge thus far is that the DBSAS units that arrive in country brought with them Denison smocks, maroon berets, P-37 webbing [ all colors and configuartions ], etc.

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Mick,

The British P37 anklets were copied by the French and issued to units equipped with the Mle 1917 hobnailed ankle boots. General infantry but certainly some early war and later war legion forces used them as well. They were, along with copies of the US legging gaiters, designated Mle 45. They were khaki (dark tan) in colour and were almost identical to British P37 issue. I think they featured leather straps, as some P37 ones did.

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To clarify... This image below, taken from an article in 'Military Illustrated' by Denis Lassus shows the various forms of footwear used in Indochina. In the right hand middle picture on the right is the French Mle45 copy of the British P37 anklet. It has the same basic shape but differs in that it is secured by one leather strap and features different leather reinforcements. I presume there is a hook-and-eyelet fixture in the centre of the end of the piece, under the leather strap.

[Turner]

Hi!
I found better pics of the Guetres Mle 1945 were one can see that there is a leather strap closure on the top.
On the pic which shows the inner side of the gaiter one can see the metal spring which is riveted to the one side of the gaiter. This has to be inserted into one of the two slits in the matching leather fixture which is sewn and riveted to the other side of the gaiter.

Have a look at:
www.armistar.com/en/uniforms/295-paires-de-guetres-mdl-45-.html

[Legion Etrangere]

Turner,

These were worn late war, correct? I've seen them in some of the b/w photos but cant remember where I saw them. Good pic though, thanks for sharing it.

Mick

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Mick, they were worn throughout the Indochina war. The US Style leggings were worn late war as they were inttroduced from 1950 onwards. The British style Mle 45 were worn from around 1946 onwards. Most likely side by side with British ones as well.