French troops in North Africa

[keith A]

Can anyone confirm the rifles in use by these soldiers? I assume the longer one is a Lebel but are the others Mausers and if so why are they in use by the Pacific battalion soldiers at Bir Hakeim? I have seen the Mauser and Lebel elswhere in photos of this time but assumed the French troops would have Lebel/MAS36 or SMLE.

http://lestahitiensdanslaguerre.com/les ... pacifique/

regards

Keith

[Poot]

I'd say yes for the Lebel 1886/M93, and the other two certainly appear to be K98k Mauser rifles. Note the sling slot stock cut-out on the rifle at the left.

I didn't take the time to read the article, but it makes sense to use the enemy's weapons if you're operating behind lines. Ammunition and spare parts could be acquired during the operation.

With bolt action rifles it probably doesn't matter, but I would not want to use a non-standard weapons platform in current combat operations, as the acoustic signatures of the 'other side's' weapons would likely draw fire from your own troops in a firefight.
Pat

[LineDoggie]

Certainly a Logistics nightmare for this unit

.303 Mk VII for their British Bren
7.92mm for their Kar98k's
8X50R for the Lebels

[keith A]

I agree that this seems the logical explanation but... look at these images

http://carcajou.jjd.free.fr/import/de_gaulle/wpe5.gif

http://museedelaresistanceenligne.org/m ... o/3409.jpg

Some KAR98 but also others.... photos of Bir Hakeim show SMLE and Mauser types alongside the Lebel.

Keith

[LineDoggie]

I agree that this seems the logical explanation but... look at these images

http://carcajou.jjd.free.fr/import/de_gaulle/wpe5.gif

http://museedelaresistanceenligne.org/m ... o/3409.jpg

Some KAR98 but also others.... photos of Bir Hakeim show SMLE and Mauser types alongside the Lebel.

Keith

Looks like a mix of Kar98K and Kar98A

[Gustav_SC]

Yes, the stacking arm near the muzzle is not present on the K98k, but it is on the K98A and some WWI / mid-war versions.

Seems they have quite a mix of rifles.