French troops in WWII with 03 Springfields

[rayg]

Thought the folks here would be interested in seeing these photos of French troops armed with 03's.
These photos and others were taken about the Sixty five years ago today, on 4 December 1943, shows elements of the British X Corps, which had been trying to capture Monte Camino for a month in the most horrible winter weather, finally fought their way to the mountain top. They were once more beaten back by German counter attack. Monte Camino lies to the south of another mountain where combat would evolve into one of the hardest battles of the war, Monte Cassino. They were posted on Prelude to Monte Cassino - Wehrmacht-Awards.com Militaria Forums by Marco who is from that area. Ray

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[rayg]

One more photo,

[John Beard]

The second picture in your first posting shows an M1917 rifle.

J.B.

[rayg]

Oops so it is, didn't look at the photos that close

[Dan Shapiro]

I can't find it, but once had a copy on my computer of a letter is which Eisenhower mentions that DeGaulle was bitching about the fact that his troops had been issued M1917 rifles, and that he wanted them issued M1 Garands.

[irishsteve]

I read once that the low number 03"s with replacement nickle steel bolts were issued to the free french.

[Rick the Librarian]

If you want to watch a very interesting movie on the French North African troops in WWII, watch Days of Glory. It takes you through much of World War II with a squad of soldiers from Algeria. Lots of WWII weapons, although no M1903s. Saw John Beard's M1917 a couple of times!

Sub-titles, but it doesn't detract that much. Got it at Wally World for five bucks!

[Jim K]

In some research on the FFL (Forces Francaises Libres - Free French Forces) I found pics of them with M1917's, M1903's, and M1 rifles, as well as M1 carbines, Thompson SMG's and .45 pistols.

The FFL should not be confused with the FFI (Forces Francaises d'Interieur - the resistance movement). They were armed mainly with British weapons dropped by parachute, including No. 4 rifles, STEN and BREN guns, and Enfield No. 2 Revolvers. In pictures of the liberation of Paris, FFI fighters with STEN guns are shown fighting alongside FFL troops with M1 carbines and Thompsons. The bulk of the weapons being used by the French resistance fighters seem to be K.98ks and MP38/40's taken from captured or deceased Germans.

Other weapons apparently came out of hiding or out of depots; there are some Berthier rifles and Hotchkiss machineguns in evidence.

Jim

[SteveC]

Just kidding, didn't anyone else notice the first photo was inverted? Ya'll usually catch all the details, now a rookie gets to point one out!

Cool pictures, thanks for sharing!

[Jim K]

Strangely enough there were left handed M1903's. They were not issue weapons, but Sedgely made up some (I have no idea how many) in the 1930's. The bolt handle was on the left, but the extractor was still on the right and the empty cartridge was ejected to the right. They cut the receiver and reversed the cams and also reversed the cocking cam in the bolt. It was a "tour d'force" and must have cost a small fortune, but it did work. I only ever saw one (and was an idiot not to buy it) but there were supposed to be several.

Jim