Osprey - Man at War 005 - The French Army in World War I

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ilr Ilff ?0Tl| $[ilrilnY T}IE FRENCH ARMY IN WORTD WAR I lnfantry Corporal, V€rdun: 1916 .:i,

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Extract {rom: The French Army 1914-18 Author: lan Sumner Arlist: Gerry Embleion First published by Osprey Publishing Lrd., Elms Courr, Chapel

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lnfantry Corporal, Verdun:

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1916

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G6n6ral de Division (Major General), France, 1914

2r Corporal, 50th Infantry Regiment, France, 1914 3:7naave, R6giment de Marche du 2e R6giment de Zouaves

(Combined Battalion ofthe 2nd Zouaves), France, 1914

l: Cyclist,29th Battalion, Light Infantry, France, 1914 2t Bigadiet (Corporal), 2nd Light Cavalry France, l9l4 3: Tlooper, l6th Dragoons, Fnnce, l9l4

THE FRENCH ARN{Y IN'$T/ORLD

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I

Oneerursnnoru

Generals Pau, Joffre and Casdenau 1914. Casdenau wears the braided

dolmen, the other two the tunique.

in

he French Army of World War I was organised into divisions for tactical purposes. Like all other mayor European armies, apart from the British. the French Army was based on a system of national military service with young men of the appropriate age group called up each year in peace time for three years as a conscript and then subject for seven years afterwards to recall for war service as a reservist. The line infantry was divided into 173 active regiments and 145 territorial regiments. ln 1914 the light infantry was composed of 31 active battalions. The cavalry consisted of 12 regiments of cuirassiers, dressed in almost Napoleonic fashion in steel helmet and cuirass,32 regiments of dragoons,21 regiments of light cavalry and 14 regiments of hussars. The artillery consisted of 62 regiments of field artillery equipped with the 75mm field gun; two mountain artillery regiments equipped with 65-mm guns carried on mule-back; five heavy artillery regiments equipped with either 'l 20-mm or 155-mm guns; nine regiments of 'foot artillery' equipped with siege artillery and ten independent combat units (of three or four batteries each) in Africa. The wartime regiment functioned largely as an administrative unit. Most were horse drawn, although from 1915 an increasing number used Jeffery tractors. Some field guns were also mounted on tractor chassis to speed up cross-country movement. The engineers consisted of 1 1 regiments. Both artillery and engineers were responsible for providing weapons and wagons for the Army from therr own workshops and arsenals. The Service A6ronautique was formed in 1903 as an offshoot of the engineers. There were 21 squadrons in 1914. The French tank arm was formed in late 1916 as

part of the artillery, with each of the early units equipped with Schneiders or Saint Chamonds. The light Renault tanks produced later

were conceived more as mobile machine gun posts to support the infantry. The Administration embraced not only clerks and General Staff personnel, but also supply troops and medical orderlies. The Arm6e d'Afrique was the unofficial name given to the regiments of the XIX Army Corps area, raised to garrison France's North African those possessions. There were several different types of regiment recruited from Frenchmen (Zouaves. African Light lnfaniry, chasseurs d'Afrique), those recruited from the indigenous population (tirailleurs, spahis), and the Legion Etrangdre, the Foreign Legion. Colonial troops were raised from French citizens in France or the colonies, to garrison the latter, and consisted of European infantry and artillery, administraive and medical staffs, and a number of native regiments. The Navy provided landing parties of sailors, but more significantly a number of battalions of marines, who fought as a brigade under Contre-Amiral Ronarc'h in Belgium throughout the war, and also a number of mixed units of armoured cars attached to both infantry and cavalry formations

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Tsenes,

TREi$cHEs

ANn

MUTrr{Ers

Alone amongst the Great Powers in 1914, France had no camouflage uniform available for general use. The Minister of War in 1913 expostuIated 'Abolish red trousers? Neverl Red lrousers are Francel' A new uniform was inevitable. Yet it still remains unclear why horizon blue was chosen, since it offered little camouflage protection" The high visibility of

the French uniforms of 1914 contributed to over half a million

casual-

ties in the first five months of war. Yet tactics played a far greater part. in France's downfall. Officers at the Staff College had studied the war of 1870 to identify French mistakes, and came to the conclusion that in future conflicts a French army should launch attacks immediately on all fronts, forcing the enemy to stretch his own resources to breaking point in trying to repulse them. ln the words of Colonel de Grandmaison, 'What the enemy intends to do is of no consequence.' lndifference to the enemy's intentions permitted a tactical approach with all the subtlety of a sledge-hammer. When up to two-thirds of infantry officers in action in 1914 became casualties, it became patently obvious that what worked in pre-war manoeuvres did not work on the battlefield. Joffre ruthlessly sacked many incompetent senior officers in the first campaigns. New tactics had to be worked out to break the stalemate of trench warfare.

The appalling conditions

A colour party in 1913. The men are all wearing the devices ofthe 104e RI, but a note on the back ofthe photo states that it is the colour of the Reserve Regiment, the 304e, so this must be a regular cadre. The two men on the right are wearing 1888

ammunition pouches.

of daily life in the trenches have been

described many times elsewhere. Unlike the stoical British Army, the French Army eventually mutinied on a large scale against the poor rest facilities, poor food and the feeling that their lives were being wasted in futile assaults by a callous General Staff. Much has been made of the connections between the mutinies and the coming Russian Revolution.

However, many outbreaks

of

'collective indiscipline' were protests

against the conduct of the war, not against the war itself - and were part of a strong French tradition of direct action against perceived injustice" The reforms of P6tain brought a vast improvement to the lot of the 'poilu' or common soldier. The best units recovered in time for the final advance to victory in 1918, but many did not, and it would appear that morale was brittle In many formations right up to the end. Well might P6tain have said that he was waiting for the Americans.

The 3l3e RI, complete with regimental pioneers and band, march up to the line, 1917.

l: Pilot, Aviation Service, France, l9l4 2: Maitre Pointeur (Gun Layer), 54th Artillery Regiment, France, 1914 3: Mar6chal de logis (Sergeant), lgth Tiansport Corps' Fnnce, l9l4

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l: Private, l5th Infantry Regiment, France, 1915 2: Private, lst R6giment Etranger, France, 1915 3: Fusilier-marin, France, l9l5

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COLOUR PLAIES In

Note: The translation following the

visible.

Flench rank refers to r he approximare rank in the British armed forces. North African troops are treated as part of the

preferred

metropolitan troops. A soutache is a narrow braid or piping; garance is a madderred colour; a chdchia is a kind of lez and

and ankle boots. Many territorial officers had been issued with the uniform iacket on its introduction in I 9 1 1, but they con-

a sddria a sleeveless shirt.

sidered this a blow

.ffi

few wore it.

A1:

service dress, breeches were trousers - both with a 45-

to

mm wide black stripe on the They were tucked into leather

to their prestige and

A3t Zouwp, REcIMENT nr

GEluEper

or DryIsIon (MeJon Gnunntr),

RIcrrusxr

ll

outside. leggings

Mlncsl ou 2E

Zouews (CoMsIwno B,rrrerron or

Fr,qr,{cl, 1914

rHr 2No Zouirvss), FrANcE, 1914

He

The uniform, like that of the line

is wearing the relatively simple service

dres, lor French .enior officers. consi>ring

of a tunic with gilt

buttons and gilt

infantry, had also changed little since the middle of the 19th century. The zouaves,

embroidered epaulette straps, breeches

who were recruited solely

with leather leggings and ankle boots. His

Frenchmen in North Africa or metropol-

from

rank is displayed in the stars on his sleeve,

iran France, abandoned the cotton uni-

and in his general officers'kdpi. The latter

forms normally worn in the North African summer, and adopted their

an additional line of silver braid indicating that the wearer is a Major General commanding an Army Corps. bears

wear the appropriate helmet. The cavalry

African winter uniforms for the European campaign. The headgear is the chdchia, sometimes worn with a cover of blue cloth, in a shade similar to that olthe line

A private of the 30le RA' in horizon blue,

overcoat was prelerred to the greatcoat by

infantry's kdpi coverr issued from

and

many generals, no matter what their original arm, and the stars of rank were placed

September 1914. The rest of the uniform consisted ofa short, collarless jacket, with

on its collar, rather than the cuffs.

a coloured loop (tombo)

General officers olcavalry divisions could

in the braid to

is perhaps only details, such as the kdpi

distinguish che four zouave regiments (garance, white, jonquil yellow and light blue respectively). This was worn over a sleeveless shirt (sedria) in the same

cover and the absence of epaulettes, that

colours, and around the waist was a broad

mark this man out from the infantryman

cummerbund. Both white cotton or garance cloth baggy (sarouel) trousers

A2: Corlonlr, 50rH INrer,{rRv Rrclttnwr, FncNcl

It

of

l9l4

1870. He is wearing a marksman's

wering

a sidecap.

they could never be sure where the next water or food was coming from, and so had to carry ir u irh rhem. Fquipmenr was

usually black, except

for the

shoulder

straps, which were natural leather.

It

was

customary for the ammunition pouches to

be worn more towards the centre of the waist than was the practice in the line infantry. The water bottle remained the

badge on the left sleeve. In theory, officers

were worn

in France; but because oftheir

rwo litre African issue, rather than the one

should have worn a uniform jacket in the same cloth as the men's greatcoats, to ren-

litre version of metropolitan troops. The 2nd Zouaves formed a rdgiment de

der them less conspicuous. But the effect

high visibility, theywere often replaced in the field by patterns in dark blue cloth or corduroy, tucked into dark blue puttees.

was nullified by many officers who wore

All

5th regular Battalions, and a reserve bat-

the same black as the tunic it had with gold wire embroidered distinctions. It was never universally popu-

ly replaced by khaki items from as early as Norember 191+. Barralions remaining in NorLh AFrica rerained Lhe pre-war unilorm for rather longer. Territorial regiments had tombos of the jacket colouq

it in

replaced,

lar, and other officers wore a black jacket or a soldier's greatcoat. They wore a simi-

these pieces of clothing were gradual-

regimental number in white. Eventually these too went into khaki.

lar rype of kdpi to the men, but with a black band instead ofblue, the number in

with the

gold wire, and the lines of dark blue piping replaced by lines of gold braid. \W4rere a kdpi cover was worn, then a hole was cut in the front, so that the braid remained

Their collar patches then had no soutaches ofbraid, and white numbers. Zouaves

had customarily carried a bigger pack than metropolitan troops, since in Africa,

marche

in 1914, consisting ofits

1st and

talion raised on the mainland.

ffi 81: CvclrsT, 29rH

BATTALION,

Ltcsr

Inr.rNrnv,

FreNcn 1914

sqyle at least, the uniform ol the light infantry was similar to that of the line infantry, but in dark blue with jonquil distinctions (regimental tradition prevented the use of the word yellow in describing

In

the colout likewise the word red

was

Engineers, their parent corps. As a fur-

almost totally banned, as the distincrion

ther complication, there were two types

of

mere line infantry, and the phrase 'cherry blue' fbleu cerise] had to be used instead). Their equipment was rhe same as that of the line infantry, but all metal parts were of white metal rather than brass. Although they were described as

ofpersonnel

of seryice. At the outbreak of war, those who had joined direct wore the uniform of the Engineers, like this man

by a bluish iron grey dolman-rype uniform jacket in heavier cloth with a wide collar and turned-back cuffs. Cyclist gloups were three companies strong and attached to cavalry divisions. Their equipment was the same as for the Alpine battalions, except that the dolman jacket was modified to store a waterproofcape under

the collar at the reat and the k€pi was worn, with the number of the groupt parent barralion(s). lndividual equipmenr was also similar, except that the waterbottle and haversack were worn over the right and left shoulders respectively. The cycles were folding types designed by a Lieutenant Gdrard in 1893, weighing

- with red col-

lar patches and blue numbers for

the

Aviation Service. Balloons reversed these colours. All those not in possession of a pilott brevet (wings) wore an embroidered badge half way between the right shoulder and elbow. Tiade and qualification badges were worn on the left sleeve in the normal way. Those who did have a pilott licence, or who were part of a

troops was a modified version of that of beret instead of a kdpi. The jacket was replaced

those who had joined the

ferred from another arm

light infantrymen, this concept was scarce refle cted in the weight of each mant load, since the individual equipment was rhe same as that of the line infantry. Alpine troops also carried a wooden alpenstock on their packs. The uniform ofthe Alpine

the light infantry, with a large

-

service direct, and those who had trans-

A cuirrosier on outpost duty. Litde concession has been nade to to the

balloont crew wore a special collar badge. The pilott badge was the number

conditions of modern wrfare although the helmet is in a cover md the finish

of the Aviation Group followed by a winged star; balloon pilots had the

on the cuirms has been dulled. 83: Tnoornn,

l6ru

Dnecoorvs, FneNcr 1914

The 1874 pattern helmet is common to cuirassier and dragoons, in polished steel

with

a brass crest and a curved brass plate

on the front, and

brass chinscales. In

peacetime, it had a short red brush plume

at the front of the crest, and a cut feather plume on the left (scarlet except for musicians who used red and white). The brush plume (nicknamed the marmoset) and the cut feather plume have been removed,

but rhe lalling tail ar rhe rear

remains.

Group number and a winged cog-wheel; aircraft and balloon crew had the number and a winged disc in rhe appropriare colours. \fhen not flying, flying crew could also wear a dolman-style jacket,

similar to that of the Alpine troops, a garment abandoned by 1916 in favour of the same jacket as other arms. Flying kit consisted of a black leather jacket, trousers and helmet, with a dark blue brassard around the arm or around the helmet (both were abandoned in 1916). This was supplemented by privare purchases of fur jackets, gloves, scarves and

14.5 kg, and could be carried on the sol-

concealed benearh rhe helmet cover

diert back if ncessary (regulation whilst in action). They were armed with the

duced in 1901. The dark blue tunic is similar to that worn by the cuirassiers, but

infantry rifle.

retains the colour combination introduced for the dragoons just before the

brevets was introduced in September 1 9 1 6, to be worn on the left breast of the

82: Bnrc,qomr (Comoner), 2No Lrcnr Cevelnv,

Franco-Prussian rVar, and has braid shoulder straps rather than epaulettes. Officers were dressed in similar fashion to the men, but wore black tunics instead of blue. Their helmets had gilded fittings

uniform jacket; this was often joined

Anrrr-rsny fucrMlr'rr, FneNcr,

instead of brass; the colonel of the regi-

This man is a gun layer for a 75-mm

ment wore a white egret plume, whilst those in regimenral HQ wore a rricoloured cut feather one. They wore breeches rather than trousers, tucked into

artillery baftery attached to one of the cavalry divisions. This group was one of the few that received a metal helmet instead ofthe kdpi before the outbreak of war. Handed in on mobilisation because it was not parr of the warrime service dress regulations, it was re-issued later in the year. The skull of the helmet was browned steel with brass decorations. His uniform is also unusual in that it includes the tunic normally issued only ro senior NCOs, but had also been distributed to

Fnencn, 1!14

The short shako was worn by most regiments, except for the 5th, which was

with a new helmet, soon replaced by the Adrian helmet in late equipped

1915. From the winter of l9l4-I5 many units replaced their garance trousers with pairs. in brown corduroy (theoretically with a line of dark blue piping down the outside seam). This corporal wears a line

of

piping around each cuf[, to show that he had re-enlisted after his garance

conscription term was completed. Grey horses, still used by trumpeters in all cav-

alry regiments, were darkened on active service by covering their skin with a solution of potassium permanganate.

inrro-

black boots and spurs. Officers' holsters were black polished leather.

ffi Cl:

Prr-or, Ar.trrrou Slrurcr, Frellcn,

l!14

The Aviation and Balloon Services both wore uniforms based on that of the

boots as necessary.

A

range

of

metal

(unofficially) by the squadron badge. C2: Meirnn PorNrrun (GuN LevEn), 54rn

lf

14

1: Corporal, l37th R6giment d'Infanterie, Verdun' 1916 2: Privrte,lst R6giment de Marche de Tirailleurs Alg6riens (Combined Battalion of Algerian Tirailleurs), France, 1916 3: Captain, 5th R6giment de Cuirassier a Pied (Curassier Infantry Unit), France,

1916

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Lieutenant, l76th Infantry Regiment, Salonika, 1916 2: Tiumpeter, lst R€giment de Chasseurs dAfrique (African Light Infantry), Salonika, 1917

3: Tlooper, 4th R6giment de Marche de Spahis Marocains (Combined Battalion

of Moroccan Spahis), Salonika, 1917 4r Private, Tirailleurs S6n6galais (Senegalese Skirmishers), France,

l9l8

l9rs

added on either side, lastened rvith a but-

EsceonoN DU TRAIN (Tnelrsponr Conps),

ton. A number olvariants were produced,

Fneucr, 1914

but all patterns had the collal patch with the regimental numbet often transferred from the old pattern coats, later modified into simple rectangles. The skirts were

C3: MlnEcn,u

DE Locts (SEncn,rNr),

The unilorms of the Tlain were based on those ofthe artillery, but in a deep bluish

iron grey and garance, with white metal buttons and braid. Officers and senior NCOs wore tunics ol an even darker shade than the men, almost black. Tiansport personnel counted

as

mounted.

!ffi Dl:

including guns, were painted light blue

grey.

by puttees.

rolled up over one shoulder. Likewise as a mounted man, he wears leggings rather than gaiters, with natural leather equipment. 0r.b. NCOs, trumpeters and drivers of fie1d and heary artillery, drivers, gunners, craftsmen, medical orderlies and stretcher bearers of regiments attached to cavalry divisions, and all farriers counted as mounted, everyone else a non-mount-

the

attempts made both to simpli$' pre-war garments for mass production, and to make them less visible. The kdpi is a simplified version, in what was officially called bluish grey, which covered a num-

ber of shades, depending on the clotht country of origin - France, Great Britain, Spain or the USA. The regimental number was cut from similar cloth, and placed on a red rectangle (or the figures were taken offan 1884 kdpi and re-sewn onto the new type). The original greatcoat was replaced by this simplified pattern, which

and haversack slung over the right shoulder, non-mounted men wore theirs on the

was single- rather than double-breasted, lastened by six large brass buttons (later covered in cloth, or replaced by patterns made from horn or ivory nut wood). The

left. Mounted men were equipped with revolver, worn in a holster attached to

collar was stand-and-fall rather than stiff and upright, and a breast pocket was

ed). Mounted men wore their water-bottle

a a

strap over the left shoulder, and sometimes

with a

sabre as well; the non-mounted with an 1 892-pattern carbine and two car-

tridge pouches on the waistbelt. The prewar unilorm remained regulation until the introduction ofhorizon blue in 1915, but

ir is likely

rhar artillery regiment, were

given all kind: ofclorhing to use up. since

prioriry for horizon blue clothing

was

given to those in the trenches, to the detriment of those behind the lines. The uni-

form of the Artillery Staff, who were responsible for the manufacture of guns and limbers, were those of their parent arm, but with a gold grenade at the collar. A squad of zouaves on patrol. The size of the pack and msociated equipment is much

bulkier thm that of the line infantry. The sergeant (on the right) weats a

marlammship badge on his left

12

D2: Pnrv,rm, lsr RocruBNr ErneNctt

191 5

rvith a cavalry greatcoat since, as a gunner ofa unit attached to a cavalry division, he counted as mounted personnel it is worn

sleevee.

hid the red trousers. This man has had his red trousers replaced by a pair in

PnrvATr, 15ru INrANrnv fucn'rnNr, FruNcl,

The man illustrated demonstrates all ranks of those units which had received the new helmet. He has also been issued

the first few months olthe war, some regiments wore the skirts free, so that they

corduroy, and the leather gaiters replaced

A soldier of the 20e Escadron du Train poses at the side of his Delahaye lorry. All vehicles,

usually worn buttoned back, though after

(FoRaIcN

LrcroN), FneNcs, 1915

The Legion was

dressed as

the line

infantry, but for several details. Serving in rhe Europeln thearre. the Legion was initially re-equipped with the one-litre water-bottle, in place ofthe rwo-litre version used in Africa. A blue cummerbund

but generally under the greatcoat, and so was rarely seen. Troops in France retained the number of their parent regiment on uniform items. These regiments were initially treated as metropolitan infantry, and reclothed in the new horizon blue uniforms in 1 9 1 5, but they later converted to khaki. The helmet device was the infantry

was worn around the waist,

grenade. Rank badges and service chevrons were worn in green, rather than regulation red. Legion units on other

fronts letained the 1903-pattern

sand

coloured cotton uniform that was used in

North A-frica. This was a simple tunic with six brass buttons, a stand-up collar, with red scalloped patches and blue numbers, and

two pockets with flaps in the

skirts. The trousers were of the same cut

that of the line infantry, but again in sand coloured cotton. They may have been worn with gaiters, although blue or grey puttees seem more likely. Headgear was the kdpi, or the 1905-pattern colonial as

helmet with a sand coloured cover. These

units may have converted to khaki uniforms in 1916. D3: Fusrm.n-lr,rnrN

(MARrNn), Fnerqcr, 1915

The uniform was the standard Nary issue,

with a rating's cap, and a cap tally

with the appropriate number

'Rdgiment de Fusiliers-Marins'. A white chin strap was worn across the top of the cap in full dress, but was often detached in the trenches. Petty and commissioned officers wore a blue peaked cap, with a gold anchor on the front, and rank indicated by narrow strips of gold braid (flag officers had rows of oak leaf embroidery, and between one and three silver stars, according to rank, placed over the cap badge). Sailors appear to have retained the jumper (at least for off-dury wear), worn over a striped shirt, and regulation rrousers. Inirially rhese were worn in

leather gaiters, but the latter were replaced by dark blue puttees. Army infantry greatcoats were worn (probably without the jumper), with the rating badge of crossed anchors on the upper right sleeve, and any other specialiry badge on the left. After the change to horizon blue in the Army, puttees and greatcoats of this shade were certainly worn by naval personnel, but they appear to have retained their naiy uniform as much as possible throughout the war. There does not appear to have been any

of army-sryle collar

A group of NCOs of Colonial Infmtry in the sand coloured cotton uniform.

and

uniform. The collar patches of the greatcoat display the regimental number, and in theory a small disc indicating whether

The original uniform of the tirailleurs was similar to that of the zouaves, but in dif-

the wearer belonged to the first, second or

light blue tassel, to which was later added a light blue cloth cover. The jacket was light blue with yellow braid. The sleeveless shirt was in the same light blue

third battalion - in dark blue, garance or jonquil respectively (often omitted). The khaki covers introduced ro cur down reflection had to be abandoned, because muddy covers were being carried into head wounds, and a matt horizon blue paint was adopted. The stripes on the left arm were for service in the Zone of the

colour, also edged with yellow braid; the cummerbund was red. The sarouel

Armies (most of northern and eastern France), introduced in April 1916, one stripe for every six months' service. In the background is a stretcher bearer from a territorial regiment. They were generally

the zouaves. However, the man here is in

unilormed as the active and reserue regiments, but the figures of the regimental number on the kdpi, greatcoat and jacket were white instead of garance. He is using a one man trolley introduced in 1B9B for the evacuation of wounded. Although fine on even surfaces, it was to prove

for evacuating wounded over no mant land. 'Io compensate him for the useless

extra load, he is armed only with a pistol,

on the

and not with a rifle. French medical units

gfeatcoat. Infantry equipment was carried. Adrian helmets, when they were

were lrequently overwhelmed by the

use

patches

sheer quantity ofcasualties. Prepared only

issued, had an anchor badge.

for a short, sharp

ffi

medically ill-equipped, they were grossly inadequate for the scale ofthe conflict.

E1: Corlon,ll, 137rH hqrlNrny RncruEnr, Vsrour{,

l9l6

This man wears the new horizon blue

ferent colours. The chdchia was red with a

E2: Pnrvaru,

lsr

aseptic war, and

REGTMENT DE MARcHE DE

Trrerunurs ArcEnrllls (Covrruro Berrerroll oF ATcERTAN Srrrurrsulns), FneNcl, 1116

trousers were in white cotton or in heav-

ier weight light blue cloth with yellow piping. Equipment was similar to that of the final style of the khaki uniform, and in assault order. The sryle of the tunic, here worn for once without the greatcoat, is similar to that of French regiments. The

wide trousers have been replaced by socalled culottes russes, piped in yellow.

The steel helmets were painted horizon blue at first, then khaki. The reduced assault order consists of the waistbelt and

ammo pouches, gas mask, water-bottle and a blanket over one shoulder. The 1st RMTA was composed of regular battalions from the 1st and 8th and a newlyraised bartalion from rhe 2nd. E3: Cerrern, 5rH REcrMnrqr DE CurussnRs -4. Pno (Cunessnn IuFANTRv UNrr), FMNcE, 1916

In

1914, cuirassiers wore a uniform basi-

cally similar to that of the dragoons. Over

the tunic was worn the 1860-pattern padded waistcoat of uncoloured canvas, with red edges that protruded beyond the edge ofthe cuirass. The cuirass itselfwas ofthe 1854 or 1855 pattern, modified in 13

l:

General, France,

l9l7

2l Staffofficer, France, 1916 3: Driver, Service Automobile, France, 1116 G

.:l:.

i5

2: Private

l77th R6giment

d'futillerie, France,

l9l8

3: Private, R6giment dlnfanterie Coloniale du Maroc, France, l918

1891.

k

was steel,

with

brass shoulder

chains on a leather backing, and a black leather strap across the front.

It

was not

worn by trumpeters or musicians. The highly polished helmer and cuirass were

just made lor enemy marksmen

(an

in

the

attempt to abolish the cuirass

referred to unofficially as a'taconnet', after the original manufacturer. lJnique

Gallipoli. Here they appear to have reverted to their sand coloured cotton uniform.

to this branch, it was similar to the shako used by the metropolitan light cavalry. k was coloured as a kdpi, howevet with a red body and a sky blue band, yellow pip-

This consisted of a jacket and trousers in the same style as the dark blue uniform

like so much else, had loundered on sentiment) and measures were taken in the first few weeks of the war to counter

ing and the hunting horn, cockade and pompon on the front. A white cover was introduced before the war. The undress item was a red chdchia with a tassel in

this. Most regiments ceased to polish

squadron colours.

Lhem and a blue clorh cover was intro-

into khaki in

duced but not officially until January 1915. Some regiments appear to have

wears the taconnet

1BB0s,

The regiments went

191.5-16.

This man still

in its cover, a more

brush plume was removed lrom most reg-

common occurrence in Macedonia than in France, where Adrian helmets were the norm. It carries the squadron pompon

abandoned

the cuirass altogether. The

blue puttees.

A

ffi Gl:

Grunnqr, FuNcr,

l9l7

French general officers continued to wear

iments' helmets, and the helmet disap-

on the front, in this

peared under a blue or pale khaki cover.

First Squadron. Musiciant braid, which

horizon blue. The stars on the

All pre-war

went around the collar of the

remained the badge

helmets were withdrawn, in

favour of the Adrian helmet, in October 19i5. Officers, as in the dragoons, were dressed similarly

to the men, but

case

that of the 1914

uniforms, was reduced to this small strip on the cufl!.

wore

black instead of dark blue, and had plated helmets. The unilorm olthe cuirassier ! pied was basically the same as that of the mounted branch, bur the cuirass was

abandoned and the cavalry greatcoat modified to help marching (when not worn, it was carried rolled-up, bandolier sryle, over the shoulder). The leggings were sometimes replaced by puttees. Despite serving on foot in the trenches, this oflcer retains his old helmet, minus the crest, his cavalry greatcoat and his cuirassier collar patches. He wears his M2

F3: TnoolEn, 4rH RfcIMnNr Speurs M,rnoc.rrns (CouuuEo

Mencur os B,rtt'ttIon or

oflight cavalry, but in reversed colours of red jacket and dressed as other regiments

light blue

breeches, and

with

natural

leather boots and equipment. Moroccan officers wore a garance short jacket, but a

sky blue sddria; their crimson cloak

in black silk blue piece on the chest.

(burnous) was decorated braid, with

a sky

(Snlrcernsn

Morocco at the outbreak olwar were partially re-equipped on landing in France. At that stage, the headgear remained the pre-war red chdchia with a light blue tassel. They also received a dark blue collarless jacket with a line of yellow braid around the neck, and in a chevron on the cuffs. Trousers were dark blue with yellow piping, worn with dark blue puttees and black boots. Instead ofa pack, all personal effects were carried in a roll of cloth

Senegalese

SENEGAI-AIs

troops brought over from

o'Arnrqun (Alnrcen Lrcur Cwernv), Seroure,

carried bandolier-fashion across one shoulder. An additional item was a machete worn in a leather scabbard on

1917

the waistbelt. The battalions in France in

F2r Tnuulrrnn,

The

chasseurs

lsr

REcruErvr

d'Afrique wore

lr

a

CH,c.ssruns

European-

style uniform. Their headgear

was

A

wrrmt

officer of the 64e BCA, the resene

regulation hunting horn collar badges, are

Fl: LrEurln,rur, 176ru lNnwrnv RrcnrEun

in Salonika were those which had been evacuated from Gallipoli. This officer wears a tunic rypical of the transitional unilorms of 1915, but with the unusual feature of the regimental number in separate brass figures, rather than on a sewn patch. He wears the 1886 tropical helmet, issued in the Dardanelles, which was worn for a time in Macedonia.

kdpi (although the pre-war version continued to be worn), or on the helmet.

French olficert of rhe tpahi regiments (ethnic North African cavalry) were

Snnvrssrns), FneNcn, 1918

1916

of rank; these were

on the front of the

unit of the 24e Bataillon de Chuseurs Alpins.

F4: Pnrv,rn, Tnemruns

The regiments

repeated

of

arms

Monoccerq Srurn), SsoNIr.r, 1917

iffi S,touxl,

a plain uniform after the introduction

lr

gas mask at the ready.

16

with dark sand coloured chdchia cover was also issued. This was later replaced by the khaki uniform seen here, consisting of a double breasted jacket and trousers. The scarification suggests that this man is a Dahomean. described above, and was worn

1914 were withdrawn from the line in

early 1915, and re-embarked

for

His distinctions and badges, including non-

in

silver wire. The uniform is

iron-grey.

in bluish

G2, Sr+rr orncm, FraNcr, 1916

effect of exposure to the elements saw the

Officers of the General Staff wore the uniform of their ptrent regiment, but

colour gradually fade away, until these

r-;ith the regimental number replaced by a

wr

salised winged thunderbolt in their butron colour. Such officers usually wore nmbmds in varions colours on the left arm to denote their posting (in this case, on the staff of an infantry divison). They p-ere made of silk, and piped on top md

The members of tmk units wore the basic uniform of the artillery, but with

bottom with gold thread, md were fxtened by a leather or cloth strap with a metal buckle under the arm. The der.ica were embroidered in metallic thrad. Dmm,

F$;cE, 1916 In I9I4, staff car drivers wore the uniform of General Staff clerks, whilst truck drivers wore that of the Tlain, both with the appropriate armband. After the chmge to horizon blue, all drivers rvore G3:

Smlrcn Arnouonn&

the uniform of the tain, but with a garance letter A instead of the squadron number on the collar patch. Ofificers, howwer, initially wore the uniform of the rm from which they were detached. They changed to that of the nain in 1915, but their collar badge was a grenade in gold wire, with $e letter A on the ball. In April 19i8, they adopted a black k6pi with gold braid md grenade. Mechanic had a set of blue curvu ovcralls, worn with clogs. Drivers were isued with a wide vriety of fur coats and glcores during winter. \fomen drivers wcre a tunic, sidecap md skirt with puttees, all in radda green.

iW Hl:

Pnrvatn, 177rs Ap.rrrrnny Rncrunut,

FRANCE,

19l8

Four regiments of rtillery the 176th to the 179th were converted into regiments of trench artillery. They were distinguished from other regiments of field artillery only by the badge on the left sleeve, depicting a mortar bomb. All prewr soldiers had been issued with a white

cmvx working

dress,

but this

peared after the outbreak

of

disap-

hostilities.

Cradually,: horizon blue version wr introduced m replacement. It rvx rrely in the line, although it was considered suitable dress lor gunners serving their pieces. Repeated wxhings and the

seen

gilments were almost m white

x

dre pre-

vereion.

H2: Puvern, Slncnr Anrrrrnnv, FnaNcn,

lll8

their own distinctions, nmely the collar patches and the beret. This was 'pyre-

nff'. thal is quite small. in comparison to the large 'alpine' version. There was no officia.l branch badge until September 1917. Vhen introduced, this consisted of crosd cmnon barrels, rvith a knightt hclmct superimposed in Lhc ccnrrc. in rthite meta]. ]t could be found on the beret or embroidered onro the tunic sleeve. Before the adoption ofthat badge, various unofficial items lvere x:orn. The

w*

r-salamard., brathing flma, in metal or embroidered, again on sleeve or beret. Another item wm m embroidered playing card symbol a spade for dre lst Bauery, a hert for the 2nd a diamond for the 3rd and a club for the 4th. These could be found with or most popular

without the letters AS. The origin of this device lies in a pun on the abbreviation of Artillerie Sp6ciale and the word 's' as for m ace in cards. The leather coat with its cloth collar was adapted from that worn by the Service Automobile. Steel helmets, when worn, bore the badge either of the Artillery or that mentioned

H3r Pwarn, MonoccAN Cor.oNaAr INFANTRv REGIMENT, FRANCE

I9I8

The peacetime uniform of

those

Colonial regiments stationed in France was virtually identical to that of the line infantry, except thar the uniform jacket was a double brerted version called a paietot. It had a blue collar with a red mchor, and red piping uound the cuffs, but no flap. There was nothing to indicate the regiment. The buttons were brass, stamped with an anchor. Regiments serving abroad wore a uniform of sand coloured cotton, with a

colonial helmet

in a white or

khaki

cor-er, and a brass

mchor on the front.

Europm CoJonial

regimenrs went into

horizon blue from 1915; from May 1918 they were authorised to change to

khaki

but few units had received their uniforms by the Armistice. The man here is wearing a version of asault order. His unit having no regimental number, the collar badge is simply an anchor. His

wm the most highly decorated unit in the Army. The red lanyard was awuded for the recapture of Fort Douaumont at Verdun in lq 16. His equipmenr is that of a \rB rifle grenadier; the grenade

cup wtr kept in a belt pouch, md the grenades in the luge pounch on the left hip. The uniform of Colonial artillen regiments ws encdy the same x that of the metropolitan regiments, except

mail protecting mrks of British pattern

that the regimental number on the latter's collar wm replaced by m anchor, md on the front of the k6pi rvx a red

inside the tank.

grenade.

above. Some use was also made of chain

A line of 75-mm field guns drawn up in pre-war manoeuyres. The caisson is by the gurfs left whee! the horses and limbers are drawn up some yards behind-

:,%

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