Introduction
For this post on the French
army’s Nord-Est platoon, a somewhat different layout is used compared to the
previous posts.
Since multiple excellent
manuals and secondary sources are available to me, it is possible to describe
the French platoon in incredible detail.
It is my view that a different
layout is necessary due to the large amount of text that is translated.
As such, the first part of
this post consists of extracts from the main source, followed by the text
itself in French. Next, a translation is given, with notes where applicable. As
always, it should be kept in mind that some terminology cannot be perfectly
translated, as it is unique to the doctrine and philosophy of the French army.
These extracts are divided
into two categories, that is, those concerning the platoon and squads as a
whole, and those concerning the LMG group in particular.
As this layout of image,
French text, and translation with notes is rather lengthy and not terribly
useful to get a quick overview, the second part of this post will describe the
platoon, squad, and LMG group much like as in previous posts. Particular detail
is paid to the light machine gun group, as some confusion may arise from the
translations.
After this, the complicated
topic of French armaments is described in detail, followed by a conclusion.
Prologue
As a source for this post, we
will use the “Manuel du grade d’infanterie”, dated October 1st,
1939, as issued by the Ministry of War.
This 1184-page tome covers
everything from the Ruby pistol to 81mm mortars, and provides the infantryman
with a comprehensive guide on all military matters.
The platoon and squad
translated
It is page 23 which sheds some
light on the squad and platoon formations of the French army.
Composition détaillée de
certaines unités.
Groupe et section de
fusiliers-voltigeurs,
Le groupe comprend :
1 sergent chef de groupe ;
1 caporal-adjoint ;
1 demi-groupe de fusiliers (1
tireur, 1 chargeur et 3 pourvoyeurs) ;
1 demi-groupe de voltigeurs (1
premier voltigeur, 3 voltigeurs, 1 grenadier V.-B.) .
Effectif : 12 (dont 1
sous-officier) .
La section se compose de :
1 chef de section ;
1 sous-officier adjoint ;
1 caporal V.-B. ;
1 observateur ;
1 agent de transmissions ;
3 groupes de fusiliers-voltigeurs.
Effectif : 41 (dont 1 chef
de section et 4 sous-officiers).
Translation
Detailed composition of
certain units.
Rifle squad and platoon,
The squad is composed
of :
1 sergeant squad leader ;
1 corporal-assistant [squad leader] ;
1 machine gun half-squad (1
gunner, 1 loader and 3 ammunition bearers) ;
1 rifle half-squad (1 senior
rifleman, 3 riflemen, 1 V.B. [rifle] grenadier)
Number : 12 (Of whom 1
NCO)
The platoon is composed
of :
1 platoon leader
1 NCO assistant [platoon
leader]
1 corporal V.B. [senior rifle grenadier]
1 observer
1 messenger
3 rifle squads
Number: 41 (Of whom 1 platoon
commander and 4 NCOs).
It is very important to note
that the translations of “demi-groupe de
fusiliers” and “demi-groupe de voltigeurs” are rather rough translations.
Instead of half-squads it is perhaps better to call them (fire)teams. I have
translated the first as machine gun, because this is the role this team has,
i.e. operating the machine gun. Likewise, the role of the second team is that
of a rifle team.
However, fusilier actually
translates to rifleman or infantryman, and voltigeur translates to skirmisher
or light infantryman.
For the formations used by the
squad, we turn to page 433, where a somewhat different wording of the roles is
used.
Furthermore, the line
formation is achieved by simply swinging out the single file to the right, in
such a way that the structure switches from front to rear to left to right.
A few of the translations require
some extra explanation. The phrase “Homme de base” is literally translated as
base man, but in proper English, he acts as the base of fire. The voltigeur
ravitailleurs are the 2nd and 3rd “pourvoyeurs” / ammunition bearers. Finally,
the phrase “file-closer” is too literal of a translation as well, but it
essentially means that the corporal brings up the rear.
As one would expect from such an
extensive manual, the tools carried by the infantry are not forgotten. They are
illustrated on page 573, whilst pages 574 and 575 show the amount of tools
carried by the platoon.
In a somewhat more readable fashion, this would lead to the following table
All of which translates to
It
is important to note that the platoon leader, as an officer, does not carry any
tools.
The light machine gun group
translated
Below,
pages 235 through 238 are translated paragraph by paragraph.
It is these
pages which present us with an incredibly detailed view of the LMG team, down
to the tools carried by the individual.
Chargement des
fusiliers (1).
Caporal adjoint
au chef de groupe de combat.
203. Equipement. – Equipement ordinaire.
Dans les
cartouchières de droite :
– 45 cartouches
pour fusil.
Dans les
cartouchières de gauche :
– le crochet
éjecteur et l’écouvillon de chambre.
Sur le dessus du
sac (maintenu par les petites courroies) :
– l’appareil pour
le tir repéré.
Dans les poches à
munitions du sac :
– 3
boîtes-chargeurs (2 dans la poche gauche, 1 dans celle droite).
Dans la poche à
munitions droite (arrière) de la musette :
– le correcteur
pour le tir contre avions enveloppé dans des chiffons.
Dans le
dispositif de transport de la béquille (musette) :
le support pour
le tir vertical.
Armement. – Fusil avec 45 cartouches.
Outil. – Hache à main portative.
(1) Les prescriptions ci-après s’appliquent à
l’équipement modèle 1935. En ce qui concerne l’équipement modifié, voir la
notice provisoire pour l’emploi de cet équipement, du 23 septembre 1934.
Translation
Load of the
“riflemen” (1).
Corporal
assistant squad leader.
203.
Equipment. – Standard equipment.
In the
right pouches :
– 45 cartridges
for the rifle.
In the left
pouches :
– ejector
hook and chamber brush.
On top of
the bag (Held in place by straps) :
– the
device for indirect fire. [i] [ii]
In the
ammunition pockets of the bag :
– 3
magazines (2 in the left pocket, 1 in the right pocket).
In the
ammunition pocket right (rear) of the musette :
– AA sight
wrapped in cloth
In the
carrying device for the stand (musette) :
AA mount.
Armament. –
Rifle with 45 cartridges.
Tool. – Axe.
(1) What is described below applies to
the equipment model 1935. Concerning the modified equipment, see the
provisional pamphlet for employing that equipment, of September 23rd
1934.
This last
note is very important. Though I have not been able to find the mentioned
pamphlet, I do have in my possession a 1964 manual on the F.M 1924 M. 29, which
provides some clarity. Please see the LMG paragraph further down.
Tireur.
204. Equipement. – Equipement ordinaire.
Dans la
cartouchière de droite :
– l’étui aux
accessoires garni.
Dans celle de
gauche :
– des chiffons
Dans la poche à
munitions gauche de la musette :
– 2
boîtes-chargeurs
Dans celle de
droite :
– 1
boîte-chargeur et des chiffons
Dans le dispositif spécial de la musette :
– la béquille.
Armement. – Fusil-mitrailleur avec gaine et bretelle.
Outil. – Bêche portative.
Translation
Gunner
204. Equipment. – Standard equipment.
In the
right pouches :
– the case
with accessories.
In the left
pouches :
– cloths.
In the
ammunition pocket left of the musette :
– 2
magazines
In the
ammunition pocket right of the musette :
– 1
magazine and cloths.
In the
special device of the musette :
– Monopod
Armament. – Light machine gun with scabbard and sling.
Tool. – Spade.
Chargeur
205. Equipement. – Equipement du modèle
général ;
toutefois, les cartouchières de droite sont remplacées par un étui de pistolet, avec boucle, dé demi-rond et patte d’arrêt.
Au ceinturon, à
gauche :
– la baguette de
nettoyage dans son étui.
Dans les
cartouchières de gauche :
– le pinceau, la
burette et des chiffons.
Dans les poches à
munitions de la musette :
– 4
boîtes-chargeurs.
Dans les poches à
munitions du sac :
– 6
boîtes-chargeurs.
Armement. – Pistolet automatique avec 3 chargeurs garnis.
Outil. – Pelle-pioche.
Translation
Loader
205. Equipment. – equipment of the common
model ;
however, the right pouches are replaced by a pistol holster, with a buckle, half-round and stop tab.
however, the right pouches are replaced by a pistol holster, with a buckle, half-round and stop tab.
On the
belt, to the left :
- the
cleaning rod in its pouch.
In the left
pouches :
- the
brush, the (oil) bottle, and cloths.
In the
ammunition pockets of the musette :
- 4
magazines.
In the
ammunition pockets of the bag :
- 6
magazines.
Armament. - Semi-automatic pistol with 3 magazines.
Tool. – Pickaxe
Pourvoyeur.
206. Equipement. – Equipement du modèle général.
Dans les
cartouchières de gauche :
– l’appareil à
garnir les boîtes-chargeurs.
Dans celle de
droite :
– 45 cartouches
pour fusil.
Dans les poches à
munitions du sac :
– 2 trousses de
75 cartouches sur lames-chargeurs.
Dans la poche de
la musette :
– 4 boîtes-chargeurs.
Armement. – Mousqueton (ou fusil de 7mm,5) avec
45 cartouches.
Outil. – Bêche portative (1er et 2e pourvoyeurs), serpe (3e
pourvoyeur).
Translation
Ammunition
bearer. – Equipment of the common model.
206. Equipment.
In the left
pouches :
– magazine
loader.
In the
right pouches :
– 45
cartridges for the rifle.
In the
ammunition pockets of the bag :
– 2
ammunition cartons of 75 cartridges of stripper clips
In the
pocket of the musette :
– 4
magazines
Armament. – carbine (or 7.5mm rifle) with 45 cartridges.
Tool. – Spade (1st and 2nd
ammunition bearers), saw (3rd ammunition bearer).
It is
important to note that the below image shows the allotment of ammunition with
old style equipment.
As the above table shows the
allotment of ammunition for the old style equipment, the below image shows the
allotment of ammo under the new system with Model 1935 equipment as per 1964,
from the “Notice sur le Fusil-Mitrailleur Modèle 1924 M. 29”.
The platoon and squad summarized
The rifle platoon consists of
3 squads lead by the platoon HQ, itself composed of a leader, platoon sergeant
(also acting as a second-in-command), senior rifle grenadier, observer, and
messenger.
The platoon (From
David Lehman)
The platoon leader is an officer
or quite possibly a cadet or NCO. As such, he can hold the rank of lieutenant
(1st lt.), sous-lieutenant (2nd lt.), aspirant (cadet),
adjudant-chef, or adjudant. The latter two ranks are somewhat harder to
translate, but are NCO ranks, roughly equivalent to a U.S. master sergeant and
sergeant major respectively. (Alternatively, warrant officer 2 and 1 for the
Commonwealth equivalents).
As an officer, he carries a
pistol, which may be the modern M1935, or a WWI vintage Ruby or Star.
Additionally, a pair of 8×24 periscope binoculars and a compass are carried.
Ammunition carried was 3 magazines for any of the pistols.
The platoon sergeant is a
sergent-chef (sergeant first class) and carries both a rifle and a pistol,
whilst his tools consist of a hand periscope and compass. When it came to
ammunition, he was equipped with 90 rounds of rifle ammunition and 3 magazines
for his pistol.
The next man in the platoon HQ
is the senior rifle-grenadier, a caporal (corporal), who is equipped with rifle
and VB grenade launcher. Ammunition was 90 rounds of rifle cartridges, and 8 VB
grenades. As for his tools, a saw and folding rule are carried.
The observer is a rather curious
role in the platoon HQ, as he does not seem to carry any actual observation
equipment. Nonetheless, he is assumed to be an enlisted man, and is equipped
with a rifle, 90 cartridges, and pickaxe.
Finally, there is the
messenger, armed with a rifle, 90 cartridges, flare pistol (With 14 flares),
and spade. Much like the observer, he is assumed to be an enlisted man.
The squad summarized
The squad number 12 men, and
can be divided into a rifle and LMG group of 5 and 6 men each, leaving the
squad leader in charge.
The squad (From
David Lehman)
The squad leader holds the
rank of sergeant, and carried a rifle, 45 cartridges, a flare pistol, a
compass, hand periscope, and wire cutters.
For the flare pistol, 14
flares were carried. When the squad is equipped with the Mle 1924
equipment, the squad leader carries a single magazine, loaded with 25
armour-piercing rounds. If the squad uses Mle 1935 gear, three
magazines are carried, of which one is assumed to be loaded with AP ammunition.
The rifle group summarized
The rifle group was made up of
5 men, and consisted of a senior rifleman (The so-called premier voltigeur,
literally “first rifleman”), three riflemen, and a rifle grenadier.
The senior rifleman was
equipped with a rifle, 90 cartridges, a magazine for the machine gun, three
hand grenades and a round shovel.
Next were the three riflemen,
who carried a rifle as well, 90 rounds of rifle ammunition, a magazine for the
LMG, three hand grenades, and two VB grenades. Two riflemen carried a pick,
whilst one carried a round shovel.
Finally, there is the rifle
grenadier, equipped with a Lebel or MAS36 rifle and VB grenade launcher. For
his rifle 90 rounds were carried, whilst for the VB he carried 8 grenades in a
special musette. Finally, he carried a pickaxe.
The light
machine gun associated equipment
As has been noted during the translation, both Mle 1935 equipment and Mle
1924 equipment is in
use. The text itself sows some confusion, as the first table titled “Munitions de fusil-mitrailleur portées par
le groupe de combat.” is based on the 1924 equipment, whilst the text
concerns itself with 1935 equipment. This can cause some confusion, which I
have done my best to clear up.
As can be clearly
seen, only 10 magazines are allotted to the loader in the text. In the table “Munitions de fusil-mitrailleur portées par le groupe de combat.” however,
the loader is given 13 magazines. This is indeed the load given by another source, namely the “LE
B.P.E.S.M. et Les Armes Automatiques de L’Infanterie” dated 1934.
LE B.P.E.S.M. et
Les Armes Automatiques de L’Infanterie, page 278
As this
document dates from February 27th 1934, we can safely assume this is
the layout under the pre-1935 system.
Taking a
look at the musettes and havresacs themselves using information from the http://armesfrancaises.free.fr
and the musée de l’infanterie sites, the following can be quoted from the
former:
“34 à 35 chargeurs (toutes troupes hors Cavalerie et aéroportés), 25
chargeurs (troupes aéroportées),
Nota: le tireur et le chargeur emportent dans les musettes et havresacs un
certain nombre de chargeurs en plus de leurs équipements (béquille, nécessaire
de nettoyage, pièces de rechanges etc...) le reste des chargeurs est réparti
entre le chef de groupe et les autres soldats (caporal adjoint, pourvoyeur,
voltigeurs-ravitailleurs...). La capacité d'emport d'un groupe de combat est
donc théoriquement de 1325 cartouches.
emport des chargeurs (hors Cavalerie et aéroportés):
havresac porte-chargeurs en toile
modèle 1924 pour 8 chargeurs ou 4 trousses de 75 cartouches, soit une capacité
d'emport de 200 cartouches en chargeurs ou 300 cartouches en trousses par
havresac,
musette porte-chargeurs en toile
modèle 1924 pour 6 chargeurs, soit une capacité d'emport de 150 cartouches
par musette. ” [iii]
All of
which translates to:
34 to 35 magazines (all troops except cavalry
and airborne troops), 25 magazines (airborne troops),
Note: the gunner and the loader keep a certain
number of magazines in their musettes and bags, in addition to their equipment
(monopod, cleaning kit, spare parts etc.) the rest of the magazines are
distributed between the squad leader and other ranks (Corporal assistant [squad
leader], ammunition bearer, supplying riflemen). The carried amount of a squad
is therefore in theory 1325 cartridges.
Carrying of the magazines (except cavalry and
airborne troops):
Magazine carrying bag from canvas model 1924
for 8 magazines or 4 cartons of 75 cartridges, thus a capacity of 200
cartridges in magazines or 300 in cartons per bag.
Magazine carrying musette from canvas model
1924 for 6 magazines, thus a capacity of 150 cartridges per musette.
Additionally,
the musée de l’infanterie states the following when it comes to the havresac
and musette:
“La
dotation du groupe de combat est de 4
havresacs et 3 musettes.” [iv]
Which
translates to: The allotment for the squad is 4 bags and 3 musettes.
Therefore,
I would like to suggest the following for the light machine gun group under the
pre-1935 system (i.e. using Mle 1924 equipment):
The group
leader carries all the tools as stated above in the original text, but instead
of 3 magazines, uses his M1924 musette to carry 2 magazines and the machine gun
related items.
The load
for the gunner remains the same, 3 magazines, which are stored together with
the tools in the M1924 Musette.
For the
loader, both a M1924 musette and M1924 bag are issued, with the bag completely
filled with magazine (8 magazines) and 5 out of 6 pockets in his musette
filled. The final pocket is used for his machine gun related items.
The load
for the ammunition bearers remains as is, and all are issued with M1924 bags,
carrying 2 cartons and 4 magazines.
Finally,
the amount of ammunition carried by the sergeant is decreased by 2 magazines
down to a single magazine, whilst the load for the riflemen remains the same.
This layout
is the most logical, with all musettes and bags allotted according to the first
table “Munitions de fusil-mitrailleur
portées par le groupe de combat.” whilst still leaving room for tools in
said musettes and bags. The total number of rounds carried still amounts to
1325.
The light
machine gun group summarized
Leading the LMG group is a
corporal, equipped with a rifle, 45 cartridges, and an axe. As ammunition for
the LMG, he carries either 50 rounds (Mle 1924) or 75 rounds (Mle
1935) of ball ammunition for the LMG. For the LMG he carried an ejector hook, chamber brush, device
for indirect fire, AA sight, and AA mount.
The gunner carried the F. M.
1924 M.29 with 75 armour-piercing rounds. For entrenching purposes, he carried
a spade, whilst for the LMG he carried tools, cloths, and the rear monopod.
To support the gunner in
loading the weapon, a loader is assigned. He carries a pistol with 3 magazines,
325 or 250 (Mle 1924 and 1935 respectively) cartridges of LMG ammo,
a pickaxe, cleaning rod, brush, oil bottle, and cloths.
Finally, the LMG group had
three ammunition bearers, each with a carbine in 8mm, or (short) rifle in
7.5mm. They carried 150 rounds in 2 75-round packages each, and 4 loaded magazines,
for a total of 250 rounds. To load these packages into magazines, they were all
issued magazine loaders. To support the machine gun when it needs to be
entrenched, two spades and a saw are issued to the three ammo bearers.
To summarize all of the
above in two tables:
Armament: Rifles
Much like with the machine gun
team, the matter of French rifles is a complicated one. The different rifles and carbines which equipped the French forces was quite bewildering.
Essentially, the rifles in use represent over 50 years of small arms
development.
The oldest rifle in the
inventory of the Armée de Terre is the Lebel 1886 M. 93. This rifle, a 1893
modification of the 1886 Lebel, was a revolutionary weapon by the time of its
introduction, and one of the greatest steps forward in small arms history.
Although to be precise, it was the cartridge, not so much the rifle. The Lebel
holds the honour of being the first rifle to use a smokeless powder cartridge,
8×50mmR Lebel.
Fusil Mle
1886 M. 93 “Lebel”
Although revolutionary in
1886, by the time of World War I it was somewhat outdated, the most noticeable
flaw being the tube magazine, which made for a slow loading rifle, and more
importantly for development, limited the potential of shorter variants.
As such, the Berthier carbines
were developed for the French artillery, cavalry, and gendarmerie. These were
the carabine 1890 and mousqueton 1892.
Mousqueton Mle
1890, the original Berthier carbine
Following a request by the
ministry of the colonies for a rifle, the Berthier carbine is modified in 1902
to “Indochinese” rifle model. By 1907, this “Indochinese” model is lengthened
again to make a “Senegalese” model. Following the start of the war, in 1915,
the 1907 Berthier is modified to accept a standard Lebel bayonet, leading to
the 07-15. [v] [vi]
It should be noted that all of
the above rifles have a 3-shot capacity, which was seen as a flaw, especially
considering how the Germans issued 5-shot rifles and carbines. As such, another
modification is created, providing the Berthier system with a 5-shot capacity,
whilst still providing backwards compatibility with 3-round clips. For new
rifles, the proper designation would be Mle 1916, whereas modified
rifles are designated Mle 07-15 M. 16 [vii]
Fusil Mle
1916 “Berthier”
As this modification could
also easily be applied to the carbines, this was done as well, leading to the
5-shot Mousqueton Mle 1892 M. 16 if applied to a 1892 carbine, or
Mousqueton Mle 1916 if the entire weapon is newly produced. [viii]
This is however, not the end
of the Berthier. After the introduction of the 7.5×54mm, the Berthier was
modified to accept this new round. In addition, the barrel length was reduced
from 780mm to 580mm. Thus, in 1934, the 5-shot 07-15 M. 34 was born. [ix]
With the introduction of the
7.5×54mm cartridge, a dedicated rifle was created as well. This was the Mle
1936, more commonly known as the MAS36. This rifle was meant to replace all
other rifles and carbines in the rifle platoon, although this most certainly
had not happened by 1940. The rifle was mainly issued to the elite units such
as mechanized and motorized infantry. [x]
The MAS36 with its
distinctive spike bayonet
For the regular infantry, the
most common rifle was the Berthier Fusil Mle 1916. The Lebel was
also was used, especially for launching rifle grenades, and for sniping in
conjunction with the APX Modèle 1921 scope. [x]
All that being said, one would
think that covers the issue of French rifles completely. There is however,
still the matter of semi-automatic rifles. In World War I, the French were the
first nation to issue a semi-automatic rifle in large numbers. These rifles
would be the Mle 1917 and Mle
1918, sometimes called the RSC 1917 and 1918 respectively. Around 90,000 of
these rifles were produced, and they were issued to the best riflemen of some
platoons. [x]
The Mle
1918
The 8×50mmR ball
ammunition was designated Balle D. This consisted of a 198-grain bullet sitting
on top of 46.3 grains of powder, for a muzzle velocity of 2300 and 2090 feet
per second from rifles and carbines respectively. In metric terms, this is
equivalent to 12.8 gram bullet with 3 grams of powder, whilst the velocity is
701 and 637 metres per second.
For the 7.5mm weapons,
the Mle 1929 C round was available in ball and armour piercing
variants, the latter for the LMG.
As a relatively
light projectile, the 139-grain bullet was propelled to 2789 feet per second by
42.4 grains of powder. For the LMG, with its shorter barrel and gas-operated
mechanism, the velocity was somewhat lower at 2690 feet per second. Using the
metric system, this all comes down to a 9 gram bullet with 2.75 grams of
powder, for a muzzle velocity of 850 and 820 metres per second.
Although no
specification of muzzle velocity is giving, the AP ammo would be marginally
slower, as it used the same powder charge in conjunction with a 145-grain (9.4
gram) bullet.
As has been made abundantly
clear, the French had quite the variation in armament. The below table gives a
short summary of them.
Armament: Pistols and revolvers
When it came to sidearms, the
situation was somewhat simpler, yet in no way entirely straightforward. Much as
with the rifles, the weapons can be divided into pre-WWI, WWI, and post-WWI categories.
The oldest weapon still in
inventory in 1940 was the Mle 1892 revolver. This six-shooter
weighed 0.792 kilogrammes, and had a length of 235mm with a 4.7 inch barrel.
The revolver was odd in the fact that its cylinder swung out to the right, so
as to facilitate quicker reloading for cavalrymen.
Mle 1892 revolver
The ammunition used was 8×27mmR
ball ammo, which was loaded with a 120-grain bullet propelled by 4.6 grains of
powder. Muzzle velocity was approximately 738 feet per second. Once again, for
those outside of the US, this means a 7.8 gram bullet sitting on top of 0.3
gram, whilst the muzzle velocity is 225 metres.
By the time of World War I,
the French attempted to replace this revolver with two semi-automatic pistols,
those being the Star and Ruby pistols. Both pistols originate from Spain, more
specifically, the Basque country. Both designs were blowback-operated .32 ACP
pistols loaded by detachable magazines. Of these two, the Ruby was issued in
larger numbers.
The Star pistol weighed
approximately 0.668 kilogrammes and has a length of 190mm with a 4.7 inch
barrel. The magazine capacity is 7 rounds.
Pistolet
Automatique Type Star
The other pistol, the Ruby, was
modelled on John Browning’s M1903. As such, it has the typical slide fully enclosing
the barrel, as is common on modern pistols. It has a 9-round magazine which is
released by a European-style heel-release, as opposed to the American thumb
button.
With a length of 150mm and a
3.2 inch barrel, the pistol is quite compact. Nonetheless, it weighs 0.810
kilogrammes.
Pistolet
Automatique Type Ruby
The .32 ACP ammunition used
was called the “Cartouche a balle de 7.65.” and consisted of a 71-grain bullet
over a charge of 3 grains of propellant. In metric terms, this means a 4.6 gram
bullet with a 0.2 gram powder charge. A muzzle velocity is not given.
As the observant reader may have
noticed from the last post, the French had issued a design request for a
“High-Power” pistol. In response to this, the Belgians at FN Herstal had developed
the excellent Browning High-Power. As is not uncommon with design competitions,
domestic weapons are favoured, and as such, the French adopted the M1935A even
though it did not meet the requirements. [xxi] [xxii]
M1935A
Starting in 1937, the French
fielded this weapon, although it should be noted that by 1940 it had in no way
fully replaced the older handguns still in use.
It was a Browning-style
tilting barrel semi-automatic pistol with an 8-shot capacity. It had a weight
of 0.730 kg, and was sized as a typical combat pistol being 195mm long with a
4.3 inch barrel.
The ammunition was called the
“Cartouche a balle de 7.65 L.” and was a 7.65×20mm cartridge. The L in the name
stands for “Longue” i.e. long, to distinguish it from .32 ACP. The bullet
weight was higher at 88 grains compared to the .32 ACP’s 71. The powder charge
was similarly heavier, at 5 grains. Muzzle velocity is approximately 1000 feet
per second. Finally, for the metric equivalents, we are looking at a 5.7 gram
bullet flying at around 305 metres per second due to its 0.35 gram charge.
To give a brief overview of
the pistols:
Armament: Fusil-Mitrailleur 1924 M. 29
The much-discussed light
machine gun of the French squad is the Fusil-Mitrailleur 1924 M. 29, with the
M. standing for Modifié, i.e. modified. The original design was adopted in 1924
to replace the problematic Chauchat. The weapon saw service in its original
form (Chambered for 7.5×58mm Mle 1924C) during the Rif War, where it
was discovered the weapon could accidentally chamber 7.92×57mm Mauser, with
disastrous results. As such, by 1929 the weapon was rechambered to the shorter
7.5×54mm Mle 1929C. [xxiii]
The F.M. 1924 M.
29
The F.M. was not unlike the Madsen
or Bren machine guns, in that it had a top-mounted detachable box-magazine, in
this case holding 25 rounds.. The weapon weighed in at 8.93 kilogrammes,
unloaded and without its monopod. It is a relatively short light machine gun,
at 1070 millimetres long with a 19.7 inch barrel. The loadout has been
described in detail in the above paragraphs.
The following weights are
provided by the manual:
Armament: Grenades
Finally, there is the matter
of grenades. 3 were issued to each of the 4 riflemen, and they could be either
O.F. or F. 1. grenades. The latter should not be confused with the Russian grenade
of the same name.
The Manuel d’Infanterie
describes the O.F. as an offensive grenade with a 0.3mm thick tin body weighing
35 grams. The explosive charge can be either 150 grams of chlorate or nitrate,
105 grams of NTMX, 110 grams of Amatol, or 120 grams of TNT.
The weight with fuse is 250
grams, the average range it can be thrown is 30 to 35 metres with a blast
radius of 8 to 10 metres. The grenade is coloured greyish blue.
As a defensive grenade, the F.
1. was available. The body of this grenade was itself heavier than the entire
O.F. grenade, at 510 grams. The undefined explosive charge was somewhat smaller
at 60 grams, and the total weight was 660 grams.
It could be thrown 25 to 30
metres, and had a blast radius of more than 20 metres. Much like the O.F., it
was painted grey-blue.
Finally, we have the rifle
grenade, simply called the Grenade V.B..
This rifle grenade weighs 490
grams with 60 grams of undefined explosives. It is considered a defensive
grenade, i.e. one with a considerable fragmentation effect. At an angle of 50
degrees, the maximum range is 170 metres. The fuse is activated when the round
is fired, and lasts 8 seconds. It should be noted that a ball round was used to
fire the grenade, and there is a clear opening visible in the picture below,
through which the bullet can pass.
The manual states that the
effectiveness of the V.B. can be increased by grouping the three grenadiers
together under the command of the senior rifle grenadier. As such, they can
coordinate their fire on a single target, for a bombardment of grenades.
Conclusion
Given the fact that this post
is roughly three times as long as the previous posts, it is hard to give a
concise conclusion. What we can say with certainty, is that the French platoon’s
small arms could vary greatly. Indeed, the weaponry used can be clearly divided
into pre-WWI, WWI, and post-WWI equipment, each category designed based on
vastly different attitudes towards warfare, grounded in the experience of the
era.
In 1940, the French army was
still in the process of re-equipping with more modern armaments, a process
which was not completed until after the war. In addition to switching over to
7.5mm rifles, 31,000 submachine guns had been ordered. [xiv]
Furthermore, a 50mm mortar was
being introduced to replace the V.B. grenade launcher. [xv]
One clear problem in the
platoon as a result, especially in lower-priority units, were the two different
calibres issued for the rifle and light machine gun. As a result, a single
squad could carry both 8×50mmR and 7.5×54mm. Needless to say, this complicates
the supply of ammunition.
On a tactical level, the
platoon was very clearly an evolution of the WWI platoon. In the final two
months of World War I, the French had moved away from two “mixed” squads to
three “universal” squads, composed of a light machine gun and rifle/grenade
team. It was this layout which is still seen in the 1940 squad. [xvi] Even more
so, a squad divided into a grenadier-voltigeur and fusilier-mitrailleur team
has been the French standard ever since, seeing use even today. [xvii] [xviii]
[xix]
All in all, the defeat of the
French army can hardly be attributed to any of its tactical aspects, be it
organization or small arms. Indeed, the problem was mostly one of strategic,
political, and diplomatic choices made after World War I.
For a majority of the
Interbellum, a large portion of the French military budget, already strained by
the Great Depression, was spent on the Maginot Line. This line of
fortifications, stretching roughly from Switzerland to Luxembourg, was intended
to buy the French time in case of another war with Germany. These
fortifications also forced the Germans through the Ardennes, a region thought
to be impenetrable by tanks. In hindsight, this was a grave miscalculation, and
the French paid for it dearly. [xx]
Free French
Legionnaires at Bir Hakeim, 1942
Although France was defeated
and occupied, a government-in-exile was formed to carry on the fight, led by
Charles de Gaulle. These Free-French forces would go on to fight in Africa,
Normandy, and Southern France, eventually liberating Paris and growing to be
the 4th largest Allied army in Europe. [xxi]
The Liberation of
Paris by French troops
In the next post, we will take
a look at the British Expeditionary Forces of 1940.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Sources:
Manual: Personal collection
The main source used is the Manuel
du grade d’infanterie
For technical specification on
the weapons and ammunition, both the German Kennblatter Fremdes Geräts and the http://armesfrancaises.free.fr site were used.
For the LMG and related topics
Translation: For the translation, my own knowledge of the French language was used. Regrettably, I have not come across any military dictionaries which translate French to English.
Images
Most images are from the
Manuel du grade d’infanterie
The weapon pictures, excluding
the FM24/29, are from the German Kennblatter Fremdes Geräts.
The picture of the French flag
is public domain, and taken from the following link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_France#/media/File:Flag_of_France.svg
The picture of the FM 24/29 is
used under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, and is taken
from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/LMG_24_29_2.JPG
The picture of the Maginot
line is used under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported and
taken from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maginot_Line_ln-en_svg.svg
The picture of the battle of Bir
Hakeim is public domain and taken from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Free_French_Foreign_Legionnairs.jpg
The picture of the liberation
of Paris is public domain under US law, and taken from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crowds_of_French_patriots_line_the_Champs_Elysees-edit2.jpg
[i] http://armesfrancaises.free.fr/FM%20Mle%2024-29.html Based on my interpretation of this site’s pictures
and the term
[ix] Kennblätter fremden Geräts, D 50/1, Handwaffen,
Kennnummer 241 01 (f), Gewehr 241 (f)
[x] David Lehman, 1939-1940
French Armament, page 56, December 5, 2005
[xiii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_24/29_light_machine_gun
[xiv] David Lehman, 1939-1940 French Armament, page 57, December 5, 2005
[xiv] David Lehman, 1939-1940 French Armament, page 57, December 5, 2005
[xv] David Lehman, 1939-1940
French Armament, page 70, December 5, 2005
[xix] MANUEL D'EMPLOI
DE LA SECTION D'INFANTERIE, INF 202, 18th of June 1999
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