binder001
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2005
- Messages
- 2,729
I am interested to see Andy try some Free French armor for the DDay series.
For some background, the French 2nd Armored Division (2em Division Blinde) was formed in England from Free French personal, Many from African colonies. 2DB was equipped by the US and was organized along the lines of a US Army 1943-pattern armored division. The unit landed in Normandy in July-Aug as part of the build up of forces for the breakout from Normandy. 2DB operated as part of Patton's Third Army functioning as an extra US armored division. There was occasional friction as LeClerc had to answer to DeGaulle's headquarters as well as Eisenhower, but generally the 2DB acted as an excellent adjunct to the US forces. LeClerc maneuvered to get his unit assigned to the liberation of Paris and along with the US 4th Infantry Division took the city from the collapsing Germans. 2DB was back in action with 3rd Army and participated in the notable large tank battles in the Lorraine campaign along with Patton's 4th Armored Division. LeClerc preferred to serve with the US Army as he resented the ex-Vichy officers in the French First Army that had come up through the Anvil/Dragoon invasion of southern France.
In 2DB the tank destroyers were manned by French marines who were seen in photos wearing the naval cap with a US uniform. The French were primarily equipped by the US, but for national pride often used their own headgear and insignia.
The French used US equipment, but had some interesting distinctive insignia painted on them.
I wish Andy success in this testing of the market.
Gary
For some background, the French 2nd Armored Division (2em Division Blinde) was formed in England from Free French personal, Many from African colonies. 2DB was equipped by the US and was organized along the lines of a US Army 1943-pattern armored division. The unit landed in Normandy in July-Aug as part of the build up of forces for the breakout from Normandy. 2DB operated as part of Patton's Third Army functioning as an extra US armored division. There was occasional friction as LeClerc had to answer to DeGaulle's headquarters as well as Eisenhower, but generally the 2DB acted as an excellent adjunct to the US forces. LeClerc maneuvered to get his unit assigned to the liberation of Paris and along with the US 4th Infantry Division took the city from the collapsing Germans. 2DB was back in action with 3rd Army and participated in the notable large tank battles in the Lorraine campaign along with Patton's 4th Armored Division. LeClerc preferred to serve with the US Army as he resented the ex-Vichy officers in the French First Army that had come up through the Anvil/Dragoon invasion of southern France.
In 2DB the tank destroyers were manned by French marines who were seen in photos wearing the naval cap with a US uniform. The French were primarily equipped by the US, but for national pride often used their own headgear and insignia.
The French used US equipment, but had some interesting distinctive insignia painted on them.
I wish Andy success in this testing of the market.
Gary
