OFFICERS and SOLDIERS of the

OFFICERS and SOLDIERS of the

The Metropolitan Troops
General Headquarters, Military academies, lnfantry, Fortress lnfantry, Alpine lnfantry, Chasseurs a pied, Chasseurs alpins, Alpine Fortress
lnfantry, Tanks, Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Chasseurs a cheval, Hussars, Armored Cars, Reconnaissance Groups, Artillery, Engineers, Train,
Gendarmerie, Services (Supply, Administration, Medica! Corps), Paris Fire Brigade.
The Mrican and Levant Special troops
Zouaves, Algerian, Tunisian and Moroccan Tirailleurs, Foreign Legion, African Light lnfantry, chasseurs d'Afrique,
Algerian and Moroccan Spahis, Saharan companies, Levant Special troops.
The Colonial troops
Colonial lnfantry, Senegalese tirailleurs
The Air Force
The Navy
Andr JOUINEAU
Translated from the French by Alan McKAY
HISTOIRE & COLLECTIONS
1940 M
With the ups and downs of the Year 1914, the army of the
Belle Epoque, with its madder-red trousers, quickly changed
into a "horizon blue" army. After one year of war the soldier
who had gone off to war without a care in the world had meta
morphosed into a less conspicuous warrior facing the enemy.
In the years following the end of the conflict it was recogni
sed that the mustard-coloured cloth used by the Aflican troops
was more practical and far better adapted to meeting the fun
damental need of making the infantryman less visible.
But as the horizon blue clothing had frst to be worn until
all the stocks were used up, the colour change was only car
ried out among the rank and fle uniformly so that there
wasn't a medley of khaki and horizon blue uniforms in any
one regiment.
This complete change of uniform was generally effective
from 1935 onwards but Reserve troops and certain non
combatant units nonetheless kept horizon blue uniforms
until up to the eve'of the war.
Unfortunately this change in colour was not the result of
a moder vision of the combatant and overall, the silhouette
of the 1940 soldier did not differ very much from his 1918
predecessor. Combat dress and equipment was dated.
The soldier
He wore the inevitable greatcoat, the symbol of French
military battledress ever since the Second Empire. lndeed,
whether it was bluish metallic grey, or horizon blue, with a
straight collar or a fold-down one, one row of buttons or two,
it was the single battledress item used whatever the season
or the theatre of operations. In winter the infantrymen wore
a jersey under it; in summer they wore it over their shirt
together with a tie - a quite useless touch of elegance in com
ba t.
The khaki trousers were cut to the same style as in 1918
and worn with puttees. In 1939, golfing breeches were
brought in; they were very fashionable arong the young of
the day. This novelty was accompanied by fawn leather or
canvas gaiters but they were only issued to a few units; with
use it was noticed that the trousers were not very practica]
because they were too bagg and snagged on everything.
The fawn or black boots were those used during the Great
War. The faous 1915 Adlian helmet had undergone sore
changes. The one-piece 1926 Model had a crest and was
made of steel and manganese and its volume had been
increased slightly.
4 The infantryman's armarent had hardly been developed
since 1918. The 1916 Model infantry rifle, the carbine, the
Ruby pistol and the 1892 Model revolver were the main indi
vidual weapons. For the unit weapons, the FM 24/29 machine
gun was in general use and popular with its servants. The
Hotchkiss machine gun was still in use.
60- and 81-mm mortars, developed directly fom the trench
artillery like the anti-tank guns, appeared in the French infan
try arsenal.
The MAS 36 was the most recent individual weapon issued,
but only to certain active units.
The MAS 36-type cartridge belts were used alongside the
former Lebel ones. The lozenge-shaped pouch was repla
ced by a canvas backpack, together with a lower pack and
a pouch which could be attached to the belt. The ANP 31
gas mask sheath replaced the ARS type metal box.
The NCOs and the Ofcers
For the everyday uniform, an effort had been made for
the NCOs' dress. For the re-engaged NCO corps (SOR-Sous
Officiers Rengags), an attempt had been made to fnd a
more elegant service dress and a real off-duty uniform which
more closely resembled the officers'.
On the other hand the Sergents' and Sergent-Chefs' bat
tledress was identical to the rank and fle's. The Adjudants
wore officers' uniforms with the NCOs specifcities.
Likewise the lntendancy tried to preserve a certain degee
of elegance for the officers' uniforms. Since they paid for
their own clothes, sore couturiers supplied accessories
from the top of the range to those officers who could afford
them. Officers therefore had a veritable wardrobe at their
disposal, supplemented by the farous 1931 Model uniform
which renewed with lllrd Republic tradition by blinging back
into fashion the traditional colours of each sub-division of
the different arms.
The A Force and the Nav
Having become an independent service in 1933, the Air
Force adopted a modern uniform which was in tune with its
epoch and is still in use nowadays with the officers. Flying
suits were constantly being studied to salve problems lin
ked to high altitude flying.
The Navy had always taken care with its crews' uniforms
and only a few modifcations had been made to in the uni
form sin ce 1914, except for the cut of the cap and the width
of the off-duty uniform trousers.
On the other hand, the shipboard service dress, keeping
in tune with technological developments, had been consi
derably improved.
the
1di
ine
rhe
1Ch
'an-
ed,
the
)la
md
31
for
1U5
da
ich
)at
nts
re e
for
'ies
Jrd
1eir
rm
K k
1 of
Air
its
ing
lin-
ms
mi
jth
ing
1Si-
Generals wearing the 1930 Model uniform
.J of France
h de France)
tbe 1930 Jl odel
1 .. o. At the time
. Frchet
< ( 1856-1942)
a t only person
' e t uniform
t "a Pt,
ca tbe French
orto Spain still
. le 1922 Jlodel
Io blue uniform.
.
Jlarshall of France
wearing
a 1930 Jlodel N'2
uniform.
Jl ajor-GeneraJ belonging
to the Jlilitary Household
of the President of the Republic.
Lieutenant-General
wearing the 1930 Jlodel
N' 1 uniform.
Brigadier-General wearing
the 1931 Jl odel N'2
uniform.
5
6
Generas in service dress
Brigadier-General
wearing daytime
dress 1'3.
Brigadier-General
wearing daytime
dress 1'3. and
a greatcoat.
Brigadier-General
wearing service dress
1'4. variant with
simplifed kepi.
Brigadier-General
wearing service
dress 1'4.
Brigadier-General
wearing battledress
and raincoat.
Staff Offcers
e
'obrevetted Captain
earing service dress.
:bed to the Artillery
HQ Staf.
"
Armband for the Ministry
r
of \ar Headquarters Staff.
Armband for the President
of the Republic's Headquarters
Staf.
Army Corps HQ Staf armband.
Headquarters armband of the
General commanding the Artillery
of an Army.
Cavalry Division HQ Staff armband.
Cavalry Brigade HQ Staff armband.
Brevet Colonel belonging
to General Gamelin's
staf, after a period
photograph.
Non-brevetted Captain
wearing battledress,
attached to a cavalry
brigade's staff, according
to Maurice Toussaint.
7
8
The Militar Academies
Cadet at the ESM
(Ecole Spciale
Militaire) at St Cr,
in full dress, called
the "Big U" in
the school's jargon.
Offcer at the ESM
at St Cyr, wearing full
dress uniform.
Cadet at the Ecole
d'Application at Saumur,
wearing battledress.
after a period photograph.
Cadet at the ESM
at St Cyr wearing
manoeuvres dress.
Ofcer at the Ecole
d'Application at Saumur,
wearing battledress.
The Infantr
Cral-chef fom
t 150th Infantry
Kment weing
pe ds . aler
po photogaph.
l i presnting anos
,ib an JS 36
. i wearng the 1418
C de Guerre shoulder
.lette/cordon.
\ve.
T fll dress metal
ental insigia
. the coUar patch.

Drummer fom the 152nd
tnty Regment
in parade dsaler
a period photogaph.
Nickamed the Diable
Rouges (the Red Devils),
the regment was
awarded the red Lgion
d'Honneur aiguillette.
Soldier in shirtsleeves,
wearing billet dress.
: : t t
t t t '
t t t
Corporal fom the 41st
Infantry Rement
in winter ofduty ds .
Te metal insignia i wom
on the aiguillette which i
the colour of the 14 18
Croix de Guerre.
Caporal-chef in the 43rd
lnfantry Regiment in winter
off-duty dress. The metal
insignia is worn next
to the 1418 Croix
de Guerre aiguillette
This Caporal-Chef is wearing
the radio-telegrapher's
insignia, on the left sleeve
above the rank stripe.
9
10
The Infantr
Soldier on leave
wearing a 1938
Model tunic
(vareuse)
with flaps hiding
the collar patches.
To fnd out about the collective distinctions
or aiguillettes attributed to the different
regiments leading up to the 1940 French
Campaign we consulted www.pages/4-
l B.com or the "Rpertoire des corps de
troupe de l'arme fran<aise pendant la
Grande Guerre" by tric Labayle and Michel
Bonnaud, published by Claude Bonnaud.
Soldier wearing
a 1936 Model jersey
and so-called 1938
"golf" trousers.
Soldier wearing battledress.
1926 Mode1 helmet
1920 Model Greatcoat with
camoufage buttons
Golfng breeches
tuttees
1917 Model buskins
1938 Model tunic -
the frst version,
with six buttons.
1935 Model cartridge pouch
A 31 gas mask and its bag
attached to the belt
1935 Model flask
FM 24/29 machine-gunner
The function insignia is wom
on his 1eft arm.
1934 Model top bag
07/15 Model rifle and its bayonet.
The Infantr
ldier fom the 85th
antry Regiment
battledress.
has tied bis
lnel belt like
. s round
nek, like
Aican troops.
T 85th I wore
. 1+-18 Cri
Guerre aiguillette.
Soldier wearing
battledress.
He is wearing a 1938
Model greatcoat
"
with one row
of buttons
and is equipped with
the 1916 Model
suspender hraces
and cartridge pouches.
Loader (the F
gunner's team mate)
wearing battledress,
in the spring of 1940
according to
the most recent
regulations. The
gaiters were made of
canvas. He was armed
with a Ruby pistol
and was the least
well-armed man in
the combat group.
Soldier in the 5 1st IR
wearing battledress
in the spring of 1940,
according to
the latest
regulations.
MAS 36 Rifle.
The 5 1st IR wore
an aiguillette-cord
the colour
of the Mdaille
Militaire .
Soldier wearing
battledress, on the font
line during the winter
of 1939-40. The helmet
is protected with a
cachou-coloured canvas
cover: a balaclava helmet,
a pair of woollen mittens
and a sheepskn jerkn
complete bis winter
uniform.
11
The Infantr
12
How the backpack
was assembled with
the upper haversack,
the gas mask container.
the lower pack
and the tool secured
to the upper pack.
Note that the upper pack
can be carried i two
positions, one of which
is shown here; the other
is lower down on the back.
The Infantr. NCOs
-djudant in the 35th
Lnfantry Regiment
i srvice dress.
Tbe top of the kepi now
h its silver stripe mixed
1ith red again.
Tbe regimental insignia
i wom on the right
and the aiguillette
i the colour
o( the Mdaille Militaire.
Tbe button with a grenade
. a specifc to lnfantry
ofcers and NCOs.
6
Adjudant-chef
in the !31st IR in
service dress.
The regiment's
aiguillette was
the colour of the 14-18
Croix de Guerre.
Sergeant in the !50th IR
in service dress.
The fgures on the collar
tabs are embroidered.
He is wearing the
telephone operator's
insignia. The !50th I's
aiguillette is the colour
of the Mdaille Militaire.
A
1-
1
V
6 6
Adjudant-chef
in the !50th IR
in daytime dress,
wearing a coat.
The aiguillette
is the colour
of the Mdaille Militaire.
Note that the metal
insignia is worn over
the collective
distinction.
Sergent wearing
battledress. Like
the Sergent-Chef,
he was dressed
and equipped in these
circumstances like
the rank and fle.
13
14
The Infantry. Offcers
Lieutenant fom the
35th lnfantry Regiment
wearing a 1931 Model
uniform. The aiguillette
is wor on the second
button in the font.
Lieutenant in the 131 st
I wearing battledress.
Captain in the 131 st I
wearing service uniform.
This captain's decoration
bar shows that he is
a veteran of 191418.
He is wearing his awards
by order of preceden ce:
the Lgion d'Honneur,
the 14-18 Croix de Guerre
with star and palms.
the Veteran's Cross.
the lnter-Ailied Medal,
the 1418 Commemorative
Medal and the Verdun
Commemorative ledal.
SousLieutenant in the
131 st I, wearing
fatigues.
captain in the 18th I
wearing battledress.
For all subdivisions
of the arm. 1931 Model
Uniforms N' 1
and N' 2 were
suspended during
wartime operations
by decree dated
12 October 1939.
The Apine Infantr
Corporal fom
lbe 99th Rgiment
d'infanterie alpine
R -Mountain lnfantry
Regiment) wearing
pde dress.
He is wearing
lbe mountain troops'
bret but with
a madder-red grenade
and the Mountain
Tmops' blue belt.
He is also wearing
mountain boots
. ;tb socks: the rest
i lbe same as
lbe infantry.
Tbe 99th RIA's aiguillette
1- that of the 1418
Croi de Guerre.
Parade dress
of the 159th RIA
the soldier is wearing
the Skers-Scouts' Star.
The 159th RIA
was the holder
of the 14-18 Croix
de Guerre.
SkierScout fom
the SES section
of the !59th RIA.
He is wearing
a windbreaker over his
jersey (light pullover).
He is equipped with
a 1916 cartridge pouch,
a carbine and
the Mountain Toops
haversack.
*
o
Soldier wearing
batledress. The collar
flaps hide
the regiment's number.
The mountain infantry
was also equipped
with the 1926 Model
Adrian helmet.
Lieutenant in the 80th
RIA wearing battledress.
Attached to his belt
a is a M 1937 Automatic
pisto!. The 80th RIA
was the holder
of the 14-18 Croix
de Guerre aiguillette.
15
16
The Fortress Infantr
Soldier, 1st Class
in the 1 72nd Fortess
lt Regment
with the of-duty unifonn's
coUar patches. Te an stip
denotes the sector
or the forswhich
the unit was assiged to.
Te aiguillett was
the colour of the MdaiUe
Militaire and the fors
toops' general insigia
was wom on the beret
by the rank and fle.
Corporal in the 69th
Fortress lnfantry Regiment
wearing of-duty dress.
The cummerbund was
no longer worn afer 1939.
Corporal fom the 1 72nd
RlF wearing battledress.
The collar patch has
a fgure and the Russian
braid is dark blue.
The corporal's stripes
are almost the same
shadeas
the greatcoat.
Fortress infantryman wearing
billet dress, around 1938.
Corporal in the 146th
Fortess lnfantry Regment
weang winter of-dut
dres. He i wearing
a wooUen ka belt
and the same colour beret
which were both distinctive
of the Fortress toops.
The Rl insigia. here in
coloured enamel (fancy).
was wor on the aiguillette
which was the colour
of the MdaiUe Militaire.
Te button i the infnty' s.
a half baU with a single
coquille made of copper
and znc aUoy.
The fortress Infantr
Cporal-Chef
lm the
6th lnfantr y
earing
cation
O' dress.
mate crewman in 1938
fom the 3rd Battalion.
Drme fm
te 1 72nd R
wearing
flparade drs
arund 1938.
a a .rio
photh.
The colours of
te d aroo
werenote
by Pierre-A
Loux.
Clarion and horn-player fom
the l 72nd F wearing fll
parade dress abotit 1939.
Soldier wearing fatigues.
17
18
Fortress Infantr. NCOs
Sergent-Chef fom
the 172nd fiR in summer
parade dress.
SergentChef fom the
1 72nd fi wearing
ordinary dress.
Sergent-Chef fom the
1 72nd fiR wearing winter
parade dress.
I principie, the button
with a grenade was only
accorded fom adjudant
upwards.

Sergeant in the 1 72nd fiR
fom among
the specialised cadres.
Adjudant-Chef
in the 1 72nd f wearing
service dress.
Note that the rank stripe
has been placed
on the beret.
The Fortress Infantry. Offcers
Captain in the
172nd FIR
193 1 Model uniform.
Lieutenant in the 1 72nd
f in service dress.

Captain fom the 1 72nd
FI wearing service
uniform.
Lieutenant fom the
1 72nd F wearing
battledress.
Captain in
the 1 72nd FIR
wearing service
dress.
19
20
The Infantry Combat Group
Sergeant.
commanding
the group.
Loader.
Corporal,
second in command
of the group.
Gunner for the FJI
24/39 machine gun.
.
d n 0 1 0 l B Q l O ' l l U B J U I a q 1
22
The 25-mm Ati-Tak Gun
Hotchkiss 25mm
antitank gun.
Ist Servant
with
an ammunition
case.
Driver
of the cheniiiette
(small tracked
vehicle) used
for towing
the antitank gun.
The 60-mm Mora
Corporal.
frer.
Aicer.
23
24
The 81-mm Mora
Sergeant
commanding
the section.
Gun-layer.
Loader.
Aifcer.
The 81-mm Mora
L(ader
Loader
Loader
Chenillette driver
wearing a 1935
Model cachou
coloured uniform
and, right. wearing
a 1936Model
Jersey.
NB. The Chenillettes
(small tracked vehicles)
were used initially
to supply {ron t
line combatants.
They were also used
to tow 25-mm anti-tank
guns. They were tried
out carrying the 81-mm
mortar but this idea
was not followed up.
25
The Hotchkiss Machine Gun
Loader.
Gunner.
c
arg
the machine
gu
n.
lechanic.
He carried
the spare parts
as well as a spare
barre!.
The Groupes facs
Patrolman wearing
a 1938llodel
canvas uniform.
Patrolman wearing
a lighter uniform.
June 1940.
Grenade-launcher.
-6
Armament
J. Vivienne-Bessiere (VB) Grenade.
2. Grenade Iauncher sheath.
3. Ruby pistol holster
4. Ruby pistol.
5. MAS 36 and its grenadeluncher (6).
7. Carbine.
7
27
28
The Chasseurs a pied

Corporal in the 2nd BCP,
wearing parade dress.
Note the collar patches
hors are symmetrically
positioned.
Caporalchef in
the 2nd BCP wearing
off-duty dress.
Chasseur fom
the 1st BCP in parad e
dress and wearing
a greatcoat.
Bugler and horist,
1st Class. fom
the 8th BCP wearing
parade dress. Note that
the helmet insignia is
highlighted. The 8th BCP
had received the Lgion
d'Honneur aiguillette.
Corporal in the 2nd BCP
wearing winter of-duty
dress.
The Chasseurs a pied
Chasseur wearing
billet dress.
\hen the 69th BCP's
troops mobilised,
they wore a dark blue
uniform except
for the sky blue
(bleu horon) greatcoat
whicb care fom
a active unit,
the 1Oth BCP.
"
Caporal-Chef in very
reduced patrol
dress. wearing
a jersey. Note
the rank tab worn
on the jersey.

w
Chasseur in the
69th BCP wearing
the uniform for
the rear of the font.
autumn 1939.
Chasseur in the 69th BCP
wearing campaign dress.
September 1939.
29
30
The Chasseurs a pied
Chasseur in
the 2nd BCP
wearing
battledress.
Chasseur in the 4th
Battalion of Jlechanised
Chasseurs. He is wearing
the uniform of the
mechanised troops.

Chasseur in the
96th BCP
wearing
battledress.

Chasseur in the
69th BCP
wearing
battledress
Chasseur in the 69th BCP
in battledress wearing
the 1938 Jl odel
motorcyclist's jacket.
This uniform was adopted
for use on the Na
expedition.
The Chasseurs a Pied. Offcers ad NCOs
Lieutenant
in the 2nd BCP
wearing
the 1931-Model
uniform.
Lieutenant
in the 8th BCP.
.
6-
Adjudant fom the
2nd BCP wearing a 1931
Model unorm. after
an item of period
unorm. The decorations
were. by order
of precedence:
the 1914-18 Croix
de Guerre,
the Combatant's Cross.
the lnter-AIIied Medal,
the 1914-18
Commemorative Medal,
the Verdun
Commemorative Medal,
the Rhineland Medal.
Captain in the 2od B
in day unorm (srice
dress).
Adjudat in the 2od B.
weg sice dress.
31
32
The Chasseurs Apins (Apine Troops)
Chasseur
in the 22nd BCA.
wearing
parade dress.
wearing service
dress.
o
Corporal
in the 13th BCA.
wearing ofduty
dress. with its cloak.
Captain
in the 7th BCA.
wearing a cloak.
Corporal
in the 1 Ith BCA i
summer manoeuvres
uniform, fom
a drawing
by 1. Toussaint.
The Chasseurs Apins
Chasseur
i the 27th BCA.
"earing battledress.
Captain in the 22nd BCA,
wearing parade dress.

.
Chasseur wearing
summer manoeuvres
dress.
Chasseur wearing
a sker's 1940 Model
jacket and 1935 Model
hooded coat.
5ergent-Chef in the 20th
BCA, wearing battledress
at the beginning of 1940,
after a period
photograph.
33
3
The Chasseurs Apins in Noray
Chasseur wearing
a ka tunic under
the regulation cloak.
Corporal - a scout fom
a BCA. wearing a sker's
1940 Model anorak.
mountain boots
and canvas gaiters.
Chassur wearing
a reversible balaclava.
lbe helmet ia
a white
camouflage cover
Chasseur wearing
the canvas anorak
pattem 1940.
Chasseur wearing
a sheepskin jacket.
The Ap
i
ne Fortress Battal
i
ons
Corporal
m the 70th BAF
ing parade
s. On a period
photo soldiers
c be seen
earing
tbe cummerbund
hich we suppose
,0 blue.
1dicating
that they belonged
to the Alpine
troops.

Insignia and collar
patches
for off-duty dress,
and the arm strip
of the 70th BAF
{Battalion Alpin
de fortresse - alpine
fortress battalion).


Soldier fom the SES
(section d'claeurs
skeurs) wearing
windjack.
Insignia of the SES {Section
Eclaireurs-Skeurs - Skier-Scout
Section) of the 70th BAf.
f 24/29 Machine
Gunner.

Lieutenant wearing battledress,
collar tals and a title,
i gold letters for ofcers.
35
36
The Taks
Chasseur wearing
battledress with armoured
BL 39 glasses.
Lieutenant fom
the 51 Oth Combat Tank
Kegiment wearing
the 1931 Model N' 1
Uniform.
SousLieutenant
in battledress fom
the 15th Combat Tank
Battalion. He is wearing
the former black leather
1920 Model jacket.
SergentChef
in the 48th BCC
wearing campaign
dress with the new
1935 Model Havana
leather jacket.
The leggings
are doubtfl.
Corporal Mechanic
wearing service dress.
The Cuirassiers
Lieutenant
the 4th Cuirassiers
earing
lbe 1931 Model N' 1
Lniform.
The 4th Cuirassiers
"- one of the combat
regirents in
lbe 1st DLI
Divsion Lgere
'cnise- Iight
motorised division).
Brigadier
in the 12th Cuirassiers
belonging
to the motorcycle
squadron.

- u
6
f 24/29 machine
gunner fom
the 6th Cuirassiers.
The regient was still
mounted and was part
of the 3rd Cavatry
Division.

Adjudant-Chef fom
the 1 2th Cuirassiers
in service dress.
The regiment
was operational
again on 1 January
1940. lt was the
3rd DLII"s recce unit.
Brigadier-Chef fom
the 4th Cuirassiers
wearing winter
of-duty dress.
37
3
The Dragoons
6
o
18th
Mechanised
Dragoons.
8th Dragoons.
(mounted)
Plain silver half- button.
Lieutenant i the 8th
Dragoons wearing
the 1931 Model 1' 1
Uniform. The 8th
Dragoons was still
mounted and was
part of the 2nd
cavalry Division.
Brigadier-Chef fom
the 4th Motorised
Dragoons, wearing
battledress after a period
photograph.
Dragoon fom
a motorised
squadron of the
2nd RP wearing
4 x 4 transport
dress.
Of- duty
dress
Battledress
Insigia
oftbe 4th
Motorised
Dragoons.
Lieutenant i the 2nd
Motorised Dragoons
Regiment in service dress.
The 2nd Dragoons
belonged to the 3rd
Cavalry Division.
Trooper fom
the 4th Motorised
Dragoons i service
dress. The 4th Dragoons
was part of the 1st DLM.
The Chasseurs a Cheva
campaign uniform collar
patch and off-duty dress
collar patch.
Colonel i the 1 1 th Chasseurs
a Cheval Regiment. wearing
the 1931 lodel 1' 1 Uniform.
The seli-motorised regiment
was disbanded on 2 September
1939 to form a GRCA
( Qroupement
de reconnaissance de corps
d'arme-army corps
reconnaissance group),
and three GRI (goupe
de reconnaissance de divsion
d'infantere-infantry division
reconnaissance group).
The 1 Ith Chasseurs were
the holders of the 1914-1918.
Croix de Guerre aiguillette
since 12 January 1919.
6
llounted Brigadier wearing
battledress.
Trooper wearing battledress.
The of-duty uniform coat with
sky blue piping was also used
when the active men were
mobilised.
w
(
o m
39
40
The Hussas
Lieutnant
in the 4th Hussars,
wearing the 1931 Model
No 1 Uniform.
With the 6th Dragoons,
the 4th Hussars formed
one of the 3rd Cavalry
Division brigades.
f 1
r
'
6
o
m
Trooper fom the
4th Hussar Regiment
wearing battledress,
font and rear views.

Centre.
Radio-telephonist's
insignia.
Below.
Physical lnstruction
brevet (silver).
Lieutenant
in the 4th Hussar
Regiment,
wearing his coat.
Brigadier-Chef
fom the 4th Hussar
Regiment. wearing
of-duty dress.
He is wearing
the telegrapher's insignia
on his left sleeve and
on his chest on this
occasion, the Physical
tnstruction brevet.
The Armoured Ca Regiment
Lieutenant fom
the 1st Armoured Car
Regiment wearing
the 1931 Model N' 1
uniform. Apart fom
the regimental insignia,
this ofcer is wearing
the Mechanised
Units'insignia. The 1st
GAM was one of the two
mechanised corps
in the 1st Cavalry
Division.
Brigadier
in the 1st Armoured Car
Regiment. wearing
a 1935 Model overcoat
and ka 1935 Model
canvas overalls.
D

m
Lieutenant
in the 1st Armoured Car
Regiment wearing
service dress.
Without there being
any real rule,
the GRDI's kepi was
often the Light
Cavalry's (sk blue)
and the GRDA's
the Heavy Cavalry's
(dark blue).
Lieutenant in an
Armoured C
Suadron fom tbe
1st Armoured
C Regiment.
The 1920 Model blac. k
lete jacket
wa stW wom here
and there.
Brigadier in the 1st
Armoured C Regiment
wearing a k canvas
uniform and a raincoat
41
42
The Reconnaissance Groups (GRDI and ORCA)
'
'
o


TheGRI was
made up of recruits
fom Brittany,
hence the insignia
with the Breton ermine.
Brigadier-Chef fom
the mechanised squadron
of the 68th GRI.
Lieutenant
in the 68th GRI's
motorcyclists'
squadron.
Squadron Commander
in the 68th GRI.
wearing a coat .
Soldier fom
the mounted squadron
of the 68th GRI.
The Ailler
Captain
in the 39th Artillery
fortied Region
Regiment, wearing
the 1931 lodel
unifor.
lounted Artiiieryman
from the 32nd Artiiiery
Regiment.
6
Brigadier in the 163rd
fortress Artillery
Regiment wearing
of-duty dress
prior to 1939.
Atilleryman,
Ist Class,
in the !55th
fortress ArtiUery
Regiment.
Brigadier-Chef wearing
the mounted uniform
of the 7 3rd Cavalry
Division.
43
The Ailler
fortress unit Gunner
wearing fortress crew
uniform.
Artilleryman
in the 67th Aan
Artillery Regiment.
Artilleryman
in the 407th
Anti Aircraft
Regiment.
Artilleryman
i the 93rd Mountain
Artillery Regiment.
Colonial gunner
wearing a fannel
jacket. ofduty.
The Engineers
Corporal
in the 2nd fortress
Engineers
Regiment. wearing
winter of-duty dress.
-
0
Lieutenant
in the 8th Engineers
Regiment, wearing
the 193 1 lode1 N' 1
Uniform.
6
Lieutenant fom
the 8th Engineers
Regiment. wearing
battledress.

SergentChef
in the 1 8th
Engineers
Regiment.
wearing
battledress with
the telegrapher's
insigna.
Caporal-Chef
i the 1Oth fortress
Engineers Regiment.
wearing battledress.
45
6
The (Supply) Tran
Lieutenant in the 16th
Train Squadron. wearing
the 1931 Model N' 1
Uniform.
Motorcyclist
in the 6th Train
Squadron,
on trafc duty.
o
Automobile
driver in the
supply train.
Brigadier
in the !20th
Automobile
Squadron
of the General
Reserve according
to a period
photograph.
Driver
in the 2nd Train
Squadron
The Gendarmerie
'

Gendarme wearing
battledress, after
a photograph taken
in April 1940.
Gendarme
i the outft wor
for civil
disturbances.
Gendanere
AdjudantChef
wearing service
dress.

Gade Rpublcn
Mobie (GRM
Jlobile Republican
Guard) assigned
to the Jl aginot Line.
Gendanere
Lieutenant
in the outft wor
for civil disturbances.
47
The Medica Corps
Inspector-Doctor
wearing
the 1930 Model N' 1
Uniform.
Pharmacist
in service dress.
Doctor wearing
the 1931 Model N' 1
Uniform.
Doctor in service
uniform.
Doctor wearing battledress.
The Medica Corps (ad miscellaeous)
Nurse wearing
battledress.
Catholic Almoner
wearing battledress.
Hospital
Administration
Ofcer.
Veterinary Oficer
wearing service dress.
Doctor in tbe
Coloniae. wearing
tbe 193 1 Model N 1
Unilorm.
49
50
The Serices
Controller-Generat
1st Class. wearing
the 1931 Jlodel uniform.
-
.
Sub-Inspector
on the Jlilitary
Kailway Service.
Assistant Jlilitary Justice
Ofcer.
Caporal-Chef
in the Jlilitary Administration
Workers section.
Assistant Payer.
1st Class, fom
the Army Treasury
Service.
The Paris Fire Brigade
Fireman fom the Paris
Fire Brigade wearing
service dress.
+ "
Corporal in the Paris Fire
Brigade in fll dress.
Caporal-Chef
in the Paris
Fire Brigade.
i the uniform
wor when on duty
at the Parisian
theatres.
Fireman fom
the Paris Fire Brigade
in frefghting outft.
Lieutenant in the Paris
fire Brigade wearing
service dress.
51
The zouaves
Corporal in oriental
dress.
>OW .... regOmm""
insignia and
Lgion d'Honneur
aiguillette awarded
to the regiment
on 25 December
1918.In 1939.
the 9th Zouaves
belonged
to the 87th DIA.
Corporal in winter
olduty dress.
Lieutenant wearing
the 1931 llodel N' 1
Uniform, also showing
the details
of the rear of the sleeve.
Corporal wearing
battledress.
Lieutenant wearing
battledress.
The Algerian, Tunisian and Moroccan Tirailleurs
ative Tirailleur
wearing
off-duty dress
with the
hooded collar.

Corporal wearing
battledress.
u
Regimenta!
insignia and
the Great War
aigutette.
Re-engaged
Sergeant wearing
town dress.
Captain wearing the 1931
Model N' 1 Uniform.
ote that the ofcer
has kept
bis "bagg" trousers.
Srgent-Chef
wearing
battledress.
53
The Foreign Lgion
The kepi had a white
cover; some models
covered the top part
Legionary in the 13th
DBLE. in action at Na.
Corporal. fom
the 2nd KEI (Rgient
Etranger d'lantere)
wearing off-duty dress.
He is wearing the TOE
Croix de Guerre
aiguillette.
of the headdress
completely.

Brigadier
in the 2nd KEC, wearing
battledress and a
canvas gandoura over
the uniform.
Captain in the 2nd KEI
wearing Uniform N' 1
of the 1931 Model.
The Mrican Light Infantry Battalions (BILA)
Corporal fom
the 1st BILA,
wearing of-duty dress.
Adjudant wearing white
of-duty dress.

"
Chasseur
in the 1st BILA,
..
Chassur
in the 1st BlLA.
wearing canvas
unifor with 1931
Model topee.
lieutenant wearing
Unifor i 1
of the 1931 Model.
55
The Arica Chasseurs
Lieutenant
wearing the 1931
Mode1 N' 1 Uniform.
Brigadier
in the Mechanised
Squadron of the 4th RCA,
in aroud 1938.
o
Captain in the 2nd RCA
(Hgient des Chasseurs
d'Aque).
Captain
in the Mechanised
Squadron of the 3rd RCA,
in about 1938.
Brigadier in the 4th RCA,
wearing traditional dress.
The Ageria ad Morocca Spais
Lieutenant
in the 6th RSA
(Rgiment de Spahis
algriens) wearing
the 1931 lodel N' 1
Uniform.
Trooper
in the 6th Algerian Spahi
Regiment wearing
campaign dress.
o

Lieutenant i the 2nd
loroccan Spahi Regiment
wearing daytime dress,
with both buooses.
The lloroccan Spahis
could be distinguished
fom the Algerian
ones by their dark blue
insteadof madder
red burnoose and
by their kepi
and coUar
attributes:
the Sharifan star
Algerian Brigadier
wearing ofduty dress.
Trooper i the 6th
Algerian Spahi Regiment
during the french
Campaign. He is crg
an MAS 36 slung over
bis shoulder. The bayonet
and its sheath were
therefore no longer
wor on the belt.
57
5
The Sahaan Compaies
Mharist (camel
"trooper")
i battledress.
o , a
Lieutenant
in the Saharan
Companies.
wearin
g
the 1931
Model 1' 1 Uniform.
Sous-Lieutenant
in the Saharan
wearin
g
canvas
uniform.
Saharan
Tirailleur.
The Lvat Specia Troops
Caporal-Chef in the
Light Desert Armoured
Car Squadrons wearing
of-duty dress.
.
Infantryan
in off-duty dress.
Lebanese Chasseur
wearing off-duty dress.
Artilleryman
in of-duty dress.
't "O
i t mounled
suadroo. . eg
bWes.
59
The Colonial Troops
Corporal wearing
a dark blue Hannel
jacket.

Corporal wearing
off-duty dress.
He is wearing
the electrician's insignia.
Soldier wearing the ka
canvas of-duty uniform
worn in the Colonies.

6
Soldier of the 23rd
RC (Rgient
d'lnfantere
Coloniae), wearing
winter of-duty dress.
Soldier in the 21st RC
wearing battledress.
The Colonial Toops

Senegalese Tirailleur
wearing a jacket.
..
Adjudant
in service dress.
Corporal fom
the 24th Mixed Colonial
lnfantry Regiment
i the Levant i 1940.
Colonial lt
lieutenant weg
t 193 1 Moel N 1
lnifonn.
Tirailleur in the 56th RTS
wearing battledress.
61
The Ar Force
Aircraftman
in the uniform worn
for guarding the a
bases during the
French Campaign
CaporaiChef at N' 1 02
Air Base, wearing parade
dress in summer, after
a drawing by Maurice
Toussaint.
Aircraftman,
1st class, wearing
service dress.
Aircraftman
wearing parade
dress, after
a period
photograph.
Sergeant Mechanic
in the 5th Aviation
Group wearing service
dress.
The Ar Force
Pilot- Sergeant
in the Fighter Group
(GC) 1/5.
TheSPA 67
(whos insigia
i shown above)
was mentioned twice
in the Order
of the Army
in 19141918;it was
the frst goup
to b the Croix
de Guerre 14-18
aiguillette.
*
-
Pilot-Lieutenant
wearing a flying suit.

Czech PUot Sergeant
incorporated
in the GC1/5 during
the french Campaign.
He is wearing the Czech
brevet together with
the french
one he obtained
after qualifing
on an Arme de I'Air
machine.
P
a e>
f b .<
lot
l lt
e
63
The Nav
Sailor wearing of
duty dress.
Sailor. 1st Class, i the
landing companies.
Quarter-llaster
wearing parade dress.
Chief-Quarter-llaster
wearing winter of-duty
uniform.
Sailor, 1st Class.
wearing summer uniform.
The Nav
Brevetted Second-laster
wearing of-duty dress.
Quarter-laster
bugler.
.
Non-brevetted
Second-llaster in the
landing companies.
Ensign in the Aronavale
(french Fleet Air Arm). pilot
assigned to Flotilla 4S.I. flying
a CAMS 37 seaplane.
Master in the landing
companies.

(
BIBLIOGRAPHY SOURCES
WE BSITES
-Chasur d mmoir http//militaria.cnceptbb.cr
-Pges 1418
http://w .pages14-18.com
-Mmoir d homme
http://I.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/
BOOKS
-tunifrme et les armes des soldats de la guere 19
39-
1945. L. et F Funcen. ditions Casterman
-1940, linfantere. F Vauvillier. Argout ditions, Paris
-Les unifrmes de l'arme franyise 1939-1940
cmmented by F Vauvillier. Self Edition
-Curiss au combat. Olivier Lapray.
Histoire & Colections, Paris
-Les chasseur d'frique. J. Sicard & F Vauvillier.
Histoire & Clections, Paris
-Les char 8 au combat. F Vauvillier & S. Bonnaud
Histoire & Colections, Paris
-L li gne Maginot. Tomes 1 a 5. J.-Y Mary & A. Hohnadel et
J. Sicard. Histoire & Colections, Paris
-Te French Army Men at Arms no 315
F Vauvillier & Mike Chappell. Osprey publishing
-Les uniormes de I'rme Franyise. M. Toussaint, Cdt.
Bucuoy. ditions miitaires ilustres, 19 dc. 1935
MAGAZINE$
-Collecions from Mra Magazine,
Histoire & Colections, Paris
-Collections from GBM
Histoire & Colections, Paris
-Collections from Unifrmes,
ditions Rgi-Armes, Paris
-Special lssue Uniformes no 26 " Les soldats de la bataille
de France ", ditions Rgi-Armes, Paris
-Special lssue Unifrmes no 7 "L lgion trangere", di
tions Rgi-Armes, Paris
-Collections from muse de I'Arme, Paris
-Colleons frm muse d trups de marne, Frus
The author would particular/y like to thank 0/ivier Be/lec
AI rghts reserved. No part of this
piction can be transmitted or
reroucd without the written
ct of te authors and the
Oier.
: 9782-35250-179-4
is umbr: 35250
e- & Clns 201 o
This book has been realised by Andr Jouineau and Jean-Marie Mongin
Histoire & Collections 201 O

a book printed by
HISTOIRE & COLLECTIONS
5, avenue de la Rpublique
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November 201 O
OfERSondSRSo
N' 1 . Oficers and soldiers ol the
American Civil War
Yolume 1
lnfantry
1
N' 5. Oficers and soldiers al the
French Hussars, 1786-1815
Yolume 1
From the 'Ancien Regime to the Empire
N' 9. Oficers and soldiers al the
French Hussars, 1804-12
Yolume 3
From the 9th to the 12th Regiment

ltecti
ICtk55l0Itk5
.
r|0|e
1
OFIRSondSSc
-
N' 2. Oficers and soldiers al the
American Civil War
Volume 2
Cavalry, artillery
OffiCERSandHSci
N' 6. Oficers and soldiers al the
French Imperial Guard, 1804-15
Yolume 3
Cavalry (Part Two)
1
_ERSa.dlSol
"!
'
5.Th.lrTrin.tlanTrin.
Adminio,tMi cSl,tteSf

N' 1 O. Oficers and so/diers al the

French Imperial Guard, 1804-15
Yolume 5
Train, Medica! 5ervice, HQ 5taff.
N' 3. Oficers and soldiers al the
french Imperial Guard, 1804-15
Yolume 1
Foot soldiers
1
Qf ,E lS and SSc
1
N' 7, Oficers and soldrers o: -:e
French Hussars, 1804-12
Yolume 2
From the 1st to the 8th R
N' 11, Qf;ce a wce
French A\" 19 P
Yolum 1
August-Decembr 191
; 4.
fr
OFFICERS and SOLIERS of te fench Ay in 1940
ISBN: 978-2-35250-179-4
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T
HIS, THE THIRTEENTH BOOK IN THE "OFFICERS AND
collection, shows the French Anny during the Phoney
War and the French Campaign in May-June 1940.
Continuing the work - started two years ago by Andr Jouineau
in the two volumes dealing with the 1914-1918 armies- given
over to an almost exhaustive survey of French Anny uniforms
and outfits during the two World Wars, this volume shows almost
sixty colour plates with no less than 300 uniforms, severa! dozen
insignia and equipment illustrations.
Particular attention has been paid to the descripton of the combat goups
and the servants of the unit weapons. Shown are the uniforms
of the Military Academies, the HQ Staff, the lnfantry, the
Fortress lnfanty, the Mountain lnfantry, the Chasseurs a Ped, the Chasseurs
Alpins, the Cor F'ncs, the Narvik troops, the Cuirassiers, the Motorised
and Mecha Drons, the Hus, the Chasseu a Cheval, the Armourd
C Regiments, the Oroupe de Reconnaissnce, the Artillery, the Tanks, the
Engneer, the Pars Firemen, the Oendarere, the Tin, th Medica! Corps,
the Administaton Services, the Zouaves, the Tl eurs, the Foreig Lon,
the Spahis, the Chasseurs d'que, the Saharn companies, the Lvant
Special Trops, the Colonial Trops, the A Force and the Navy.
Histoire & Collections
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