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Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: Poiter50 on March 31, 2020, 02:51:13 AM

Title: French Tirailleurs in Allied North Africa
Post by: Poiter50 on March 31, 2020, 02:51:13 AM

I have a force of 28mm French Tirailleurs from the Perry Miniatures WW2 range. They are in tropical uniform and are worthy opponents for Commonwealth forces during Operation Exporter but I wondered if they would also serve for the North African battles as part of the British/Allied forces in the Desert? If so, did they still use French weaponry in this theatre?

Title: Re: French Tirailleurs in Allied North Africa
Post by: Bruno S. on April 09, 2020, 05:42:13 PM

Hi Poiter50,
They can be used as Vichy soldiers before North Africa armistice, or in other theatres like french Syria colonies.
Also, they can be early Free French from Leclerc brigade, until Koufra battle. After that, maybe some other uniforms, beitish, may be more suitable.

Title: Re: French Tirailleurs in Allied North Africa
Post by: Poiter50 on April 10, 2020, 01:33:26 AM

Thank you, any references?

Quote from: Bruno S. on April 09, 2020, 05:42:13 PM

Hi Poiter50,
They can be used as Vichy soldiers before North Africa armistice, or in other theatres like french Syria colonies.
Also, they can be early Free French from Leclerc brigade, until Koufra battle. After that, maybe some other uniforms, beitish, may be more suitable.

Title: Re: French Tirailleurs in Allied North Africa
Post by: Bruno S. on April 11, 2020, 02:38:29 AM

Can review the amazing 'L'odyssée de la colonne Leclerc' published by Historie&Collections. Or you can take a look on the lovely photos from Dr Krementchousky from the FFL, parismuseescollections.paris, from the Invalides musee. Absolutely inavoidable..

Title: Re: French Tirailleurs in Allied North Africa
Post by: Truscott Trotter on April 12, 2020, 03:25:25 AM

Yeah whack em in Syria Pete than they can face Aussies, Brit Commandos and Yeomanry cavalry  lol

Title: Re: French Tirailleurs in Allied North Africa
Post by: bazookajoe on April 13, 2020, 03:26:42 AM

Operation Ironclad in Madagascar?

Title: Re: French Tirailleurs in Allied North Africa
Post by: Poiter50 on April 13, 2020, 03:45:43 AM

It appears the Tirailleurs were only used on the Axis side there but an interesting campaign to use them.

Quote from: bazookajoe on April 13, 2020, 03:26:42 AM

Operation Ironclad in Madagascar?