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Shirts
Sept 5, 2021 8:55:18 GMT -5
Post by jms on Sept 5, 2021 8:55:18 GMT -5
I have noticed in some Indochina War pics that some of the French troops seem to be wearing khaki shirts. Do we know if this was a regular French army issue or private purchase? In any event, does anyone make something like this today?
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Shirts
Sept 5, 2021 19:25:49 GMT -5
jms likes this
Post by craigtx on Sept 5, 2021 19:25:49 GMT -5
That's the Mle47 (IIRC) shirt, it's regular issue. There are originals about in limited sizes. Jerry Lee @ WPG has repros in the works.
Craig
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Shirts
Sept 6, 2021 14:10:25 GMT -5
Post by lew on Sept 6, 2021 14:10:25 GMT -5
Yep, the standard uniform shirt was the Chemise Mle. 47. Khaki button up. I'm not aware of any major design variations, and it was issued well after Algeria was over. Cotton OD green and khaki tank tops/A-shirts/wife beaters were also issued.
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Shirts
Sept 6, 2021 17:13:59 GMT -5
Post by Kenneth on Sept 6, 2021 17:13:59 GMT -5
There were khaki uniforms manufactured in Vietnam that had minor differences from the French manufactured items, shirts, in this case. They looked like late war U.S. khaki shirts. Original French made shirts both new and used can be found with some searching, although sizing might be a mystery. There was a later version with a slightly different collar but all of them had a "convertible collar," meaning it was made like a sport shirt. With only a couple of exceptions, this was the one and only shirt used by French enlisted soldiers down until I guess the sateen uniform was introduced. There were undoubtedly custom-made or private purchase shirts in use during this period and there were also short-sleeve shirts apparently issued, too. French army shirts had higher armholes and narrower sleeves than we're accustomed to. I look forward to the WPG versions.
Identical shirts in an olive drab wool were also issue but do not seem to be common and were probably not issued in Vietnam anyway. I've also seen an olive-green version on eBay but I've seen no mention of one anywhere else.
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