La Societé Historique de la Légion Étrangère

Volunteer Member Requirements

We encourage all potential members to compare the cost of a Legion impression with any other impression in either WWI, WWII, Civil War, Viet Nam, or any other period. With the possible exception of a WW2 French resistance fighter, or a Viet Minh / Viet Cong impression, the Legion will likely be the least expensive to complete. This does not mean that the unit tolerates a shabby impression; it simply means that in terms of obtaining basic clothing and equipment for a WW2 / Indochina impression, you can expect to pay significantly less than for any other impression on the market.

Only the 13e Demi-Brigade fought with the Allied forces throughout the entire course of World War II. Other Legion units remained loyal to the Vichy government, until they surrendered to the Allies and were either incorporated into the 13e and, later, the Regiment du Marche de la Legion Étrangère (RMLE). As a result, the 13e was equipped from Allied stocks. During the early part of the war, the British equipped the 13e. In 1943-44, when they were shipped to Italy, the US took over. As a result, it is common to see a Legionnaire of the time period with a mixture of French, British, and American clothing and equipment. Legionnaires were notorious for their habit of taking what they wanted from Allied stores.

In 1946, the Legion was shipped back to Indochina. They were equipped with clothing and equipment from British, American, and French stores, with the preponderance being American and British. As late as 1954, there was still little in the way of French weapons, and clothing was only a little more common. As a side note, it is apparent from the number of photos seen that Legionnaires loved the M1 and M1A1 carbine. However, this did not reach the Legion in any quantity until Indochina, so we do not allow its use in WW2 events.

These things should be kept in mind when looking for clothing and equipment. If you are judicious in the selection of your kit, you will find that you can use it for both time periods. For those of you who also do Civil War re-enacting, some of the larger ticket items such as tentage and sleeping items will transfer over. The typical CW wedge tent, for example, may be used, as may CW type blankets and other sleeping materials.

Much of this material is available through civilian outlets. If you find a shirt that works, but it has no epaulets, get extra material (perhaps an extra shirt) and use it to make epaulets. The shirts should have the tri-fold breast pockets, and not smooth faced pockets, although smooth-faced pockets will be okay.

Listed below is an example of a relatively inexpensive impression suitable for both time periods:

Combat Uniform – Early War (1942-1943) – Available from What Price Glory:
MANDATORY

___ Shirt, British Aertex/Khaki, Long Sleeve, with epaulets and insignia
___ Fatigue Uniform, British, Denim (Jacket and Trousers) with insignia

OPTIONAL

___ Trousers, British Khaki Drill (tan in color, not late war green)

___ Bush Jacket, British Khaki Drill, without belt (tan in color, not late war green) with insignia

OR

___ Pattern 37/Pattern 40 British Battledress Jacket and Trousers (Winter Wear, doubles as a dress uniform)

Combat Uniform – Late War (1944-1945) – Available from What Price Glory:
MANDATORY

___ Shirt, US Wool, Long Sleeve, Enlisted
___ Trousers, US Wool, Enlisted

___ Jacket, US M-1941

OPTIONAL

___ Trousers, Herringbone Twill (HBT), dark green

___ Jacket, HBT, dark green

Other Clothing
___ Belt, Web, Waist, Khaki, with open or closed face buckle
___ Boots, Low Quarter, Black (preferred) or Brown, with or without cap toes
___ Beret, olive green, no liner
___ Helmet, US, M1, with Liner (required)

___ Helmet, French Adrian, WW1/WW2 (optional)

___ Helmet, British, Mk II (optional)
___ Gaiters, British, or Leggings, American
___ Bush Hat (Indochina only)

Field Gear – Early War (1942-1943) - British Pattern 37 (can mix in some WW1/WW2 French):
___ Belt, Web
___ Suspenders, Web (2 required)
___ Universal Pouches or Patrol Pouches, 2
___ Water bottle and carrier (recommend two water bottles, carry one in the pack)
___ Small Pack
___ Large Pack

___ Entrenching Tool and Cover
___ Pack straps (one pair minimum)
___ Mess Tin, British, French, or American
___ Knife, Fork, Spoon (military style or civilian)

Field Gear – Late War (1944-1945) – US Pattern (may mix in some WW1/WW2 French and/or Pattern 37 British):
___ Belt, Cartridge
___ Suspenders, Web
___ Canteen, Cup, and Cover

___ First Aid Pouch with First Aid Packet
___ M1923 Pack or Musette Bag (Musette Bag preferred)

___ Entrenching Tool and Cover
___ Mess Tin, British, French, or American

___ Pistol Belt and Carbine Magazine Pouches (Indochina only, if carrying carbine)
___ Knife, Fork, Spoon (military style or civilian)

Weapon System (one of the following)
___ French MAS 36, Cal. 7.5x54 mm, with internal Bayonet and sling (required)
___ British SMLE No. 1 Mk III or No. 4 Mk I, Cal .303, with sling (optional)
___ M1/M1A1 Carbine (Indochina impression only)

___ M1903A1/M1903A3 Springfield, with sling (optional)

___ Pattern 14/Pattern 17 Enfield (optional, preferred over M1903 Springfield)

___ Stripper Clips for the weapon selected (carbine magazines for Indochina period)

Other Equipment
___ Cleaning kit (German, Swiss, or cannibalize an American set and put one together
___ Tent CW Wedge Tent, or British bivouac tent, or American or British pup tent
___ Blankets and sheets, or sleeping bag
___ Basic toiletry kit
___ Sash, Waist, Blue
___ Scarf, Khaki

___ More Majorum Badge (1^st Pattern 13DBLE Insignia) on leather fob

___ Red/Green Epaulets du Tradition

___ Kepi Blanc (Suggest M1946 Pattern kepi with two white covers – the M1946 pattern has the red bomb on the front)

Concentrate on the Early War items first, unless you have the later war clothing and equipment (or vice versa).

Careful purchase can keep the total for all this under $500.00. Items such as a weapon can be purchased last. MAS 36 rifles are currently selling for $150-$260, and Enfields are in the same range. You can choose to spend more, but it is not necessary.

If you have questions, please contact us via the email address on the Home Page. We can schedule a meeting, and display the kit. We can also answer questions about the best places to obtain items, and what to avoid.

Last Updated: 28.10.2007

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