As Arthur correctly says and in a far better reply then mine
the Keo was received by both the Turcos and the Zouaves..
and after a few weeks in Tonkin the uniforms became basically
the same,might be worth a mention sky blue keos were also
issued to maintain the tradition. The main difference was the
Turcos were indigenes (mainky Algerian) and the Zouaves Frenchmenl
in the main. Also equipment rifle wise was different Zouaves used
kropatschek rifles and Turcos Gras rifles.
these two troops types were thrown in to many of the
battles first...…..due in part to their superb fighting ability!
I have already commissioned the Turcos some time ago and
requested they are wearing the bourgeron (white drill) and the
baggy trousers..accompanied by the colonial helmet as photographed
by the good Doctor and mentioned in many accounts. its mentioned
in some accounts the Zouaves held onto their dark blue and red piped
jackets,,with the red/white/yellow false pockets) for quite a while till
the unbearable humidity and heat forced a change to the bourgeron.
some of the officers changed their shirts three times a day!
I may well commission this uniform so the two regiments look a bit
different on the wargames table. on the other hand a head change
and you have two units correctly attired for the middle and late part
of the campaign, The Turcos had the 1st and 3rd regiments in Tonkin the Zouaves battalions from the 3 regiments if memory serves me right.
Arthur whats your opinion on the Zouaves ?..would you do them in the aformentioned Blue fonce or the Bourgeron or both!! personally i may do both
great thread
regards
Ged
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