#French army

[theworldofwars]

Australian soldiers wearing respirator gas masks, Ypres, September 27, 1917

[bantarleton]

The uniform of a senior French general, captured at the battle of Blenheim in 1704 and now forming part of the exhibition at the National Army Museum.

[herprivateswe]

Cuirassier receives a slice of bread.

[dronescapesvideos]

The Red Baron, WWI. Soldiers examine what remains of Manfred von Richthofen's aircraft after he was shot down, and killed over Vaux-sur-Somme, France, just days before his 26th birthday, but by then already an aviation legend.

➤➤ HIGHER RESOLUTION IMAGE: https://dronescapes.video/RedBaron

[blue-and-gilt]

French Grenadier Officers' Sabre - Petite Montmorency style. Circa 1788 - 1800.

The social upheaval in France during the late 18th century was pervasive through all levels of society. People were abandoning the old and adopting a number of new styles and fashions to display their allegiance to which ever faction the belonged to; the (soon to be executed) king, the revolution, or some variation of the politics at the time.

One of these changes in fashion began around 1784 with infantry officers giving up their model 1767 smallsword in favour of non-regulation sabres, often based on the styles copied from the cavalry. The rotating guard hilts were one such example.

With the Royal decree of April 1788 permitting the use of sabres by the infantry we see another type appear, swords with slotted hilts and sidebars that often feature military emblems such as the light infantry hunters horn or the grenadiers flaming bomb. While others (normally associated with the National Guard) display elaborate political symbolism like Roosters or lions with the Phrygian cap; icons of bravery, the French State and the revolution.

Because these sabres were non-regulation, they don't follow a set pattern; and can be plain or very ornate. Seeking to classify them, collectors of the late 19th Century noted that many swords in this style had blades that matched the profile of the Montmorency Dragoons; a curved blade with a central fuller and a secondary fuller running close to the spine.

Since they were carried by infantry or National Guard officers, on the whole this style of sabre are shorter than the dragoon type, thus earning them the petite montmorency moniker. As with many such arbitrary names, its meaning has expanded in use to cover a wider group of swords that are broadly similar but don't follow exactly the same features. This sword is such an example. The slotted hilt and guard are very typical with the helmet pommel, sidebars and flaming bomb. However because the blade is has no fuller, it can't be said to have a true montmorency blade. Still, it is the best grouping we have for this sword. This sword is a handy weapon, just shy of 80cm long with a 66cm blade. The lack of a fuller means is weighs 750 grams, giving it a lot of presence in the hand. The blade engraved with the word Grenadier on one side and flaming bomb with a trophy and bomb on the other; otherwise it is very plain.

On the spine there is an arrow wrapped in a scroll, which I assume to be related to the maker. I'm sure I've seen this mark before but now I can't find the source. If you know what it means, please let me know.

Stats: Overall Length - 795 mm Blade Length - 655 mm Curve - 15 mm Point of Balance - 140 mm Grip Length - 142 mm Inside Grip Length - 105 mm Weight - 750 grams

[victusinveritas]

French 257e Infantry elite trench-fighting unit January 1916

[theworldatwar]

A French Army officer gives last minute instructions to his men - Monte Cassino, March 1944

[kemetic-dreams]

Fred McIntyre known as Devil's Man holds in his hands a portrait of the Kaiser framed with bullets that he took from a German Soldier

Colorized by Marina Amaral

Corporal Fred McIntyre served in World War I with the USA Army's 369th Infantry Regiment, a lavishly decorated regiment that was better known by its nickname: the Harlem Hellfighters. The Hellfighters, part of the New York National Guard, stood out for several reasons: uncommon courage, the exceptional ragtime-influenced brass band, and their Afroness. Only ten percent of the American soldiers were African.

In July 1918 they were fighting alongside the French along the Marne River. In fact, militarily they became French, as the 369th were integrated into the French Army. They wore hybrid uniforms (including the French Adrian helmet), carried Gallic rifles, and received French troop wine rations.

The Harlem Hellfighters accumulated more casualties on the Western Front than any other American regiment, but received numerous medals for their bravery. One member of the regiment, Henry Porter, nicknamed Black Death, was the first American to receive the prestigious Croix de Guerre, which was also awarded collectively to the entire 369th Regiment.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

The battle of Waterloo depended on the closing of those gates.

Duke of Wellington.

There were many key moments at the Battle of Waterloo. Many were only recognised after the battle had been won as a close run thing. But in the heat of the battle there was one moment that was not lost on either Wellington or Napoleon and that was the chateau and outbuildings of Hougoumont which were situated 500 yards from Wellington’s line, and if held by the Allies would disrupt any French advance. Likewise, their loss to the French would have created an immense threat to Wellington’s right flank.

Hougoumont was defended by 2600 allied crack troops including Coldstream, Grenadier and Scots Guards plus Nassauers and Brunswickers. The north gate of Hougoumont had been deliberately left open to allow friendly troops to pass through, but had to be closed rapidly when the French started to attack at about 11.30 am. This attack was the first action of the Battle of Waterloo. The gates were however not closed properly and French soldiers started to push through. Desperate hand-to-hand fighting ensued but somehow the defenders managed to close the gates. The 30 Frenchmen who had entered were swiftly dealt with, all being mercilessly killed except for a young and unarmed drummer-boy.

This brave action meant that the French were never able to take Hougoumont at any time during the remainder of the day, although 12,700 of Napoleon’s troops were tied up in the attempt.

Some years later a Reverend John Norcross left a sum of money in his will to be given “to the bravest man at Waterloo”. Wellington, who was asked to nominate the winner, said that the success of the battle turned upon the closing of the gates at Hougoumont, and the recipient was a Corporal James Graham of the Coldstream Guards. This soldier had shown immense bravery and probably saved the life of the commanding officer at Hougoumont, Lieutenant-Colonel James MacDonell.

Photo: Guards Memorial Hougoumont, Waterloo, Belgium.

[theworldofwars]

A uniformed French artist sketching the damage in Amiens, 17th September 1918.

[bantarleton]

First World War Jewish veterans from the French Army volunteering once again in 1939.

[herprivateswe]

Image: IWM (Art.IWM ART 2959) A French orderly carrying a wounded British soldier on his back. They move through swirling smoke, and a light shines from the right of the composition casting their shadows on the earth behind.

[carbone14]

Char français Hotchkiss H39 n° 40751 'Villers-Cotterêts' du 1er Régiment de cuirassiers, 3e Division Légère Mécanique – Bataille de France – Mai 1940

©RaBoe/Wikipedia

[blue-and-gilt]

Garde de Bataille cavalry officer swords.

[victusinveritas]

30 July 1915

Zouaves manning a St. Étienne Mle 1907 machine gun in anti-aircraft role at the St. Etienne Aerodrome, Le Bourget.

Image: IWM (Q 115199)

Colourised by Doug

[tanksandbeyond]

An AMX-10RC from 4e régiment de chasseurs at CENTAC in Mailly-le-Camp, France, September 16th, 2020.