French Foreign legion

[doug6125]

Can anyone enlighten me if the FFL in Morocco 1900-16 would have fought with their backpacks on or off?  I got the impression from 'Our Friends Beneath the Sand' that they tended to keep their packs on whenever possible.

[matakishi]

If they were an Infantry column out and about they'd have had their packs on. Not if defending a fort though.
The legion marched three abreast so they could turn to face an ambush and have a three deep firing line ready to go instantly, not pertinent I know but I've always found that interesting.