French Foreign Legion: Arms Contexts

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you so much GP for this brilliantly explained and detailed perspective and information on the complexities of the Maghreb! as well as the links and maps. This truly brings to light how these many weapon forms came into these regions and became so widely diffused.

In trying to determine the nationality of many of the indigenous weapons it seems nearly impossible to determine the nationality of them, let alone the regional or tribal affiliations. With the military weapons such as rifles as previously noted, the embellishments or added markings etc. are perhaps the only means of presumably reliable identification.

Your insights on this very esoteric area of study are so much appreciated here, especially with your field experience there in Morocco. That had to have been a remarkable time!!! This really helps. Thank you again,

All the best
Jim

[gp]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thank you so much GP for this brilliantly explained and detailed perspective and information on the complexities of the Maghreb! as well as the links and maps. This truly brings to light how these many weapon forms came into these regions and became so widely diffused.

In trying to determine the nationality of many of the indigenous weapons it seems nearly impossible to determine the nationality of them, let alone the regional or tribal affiliations. With the military weapons such as rifles as previously noted, the embellishments or added markings etc. are perhaps the only means of presumably reliable identification.

Your insights on this very esoteric area of study are so much appreciated here, especially with your field experience there in Morocco. That had to have been a remarkable time!!! This really helps. Thank you again,

All the best
Jim

you're welcome and most happy to oblige!

It was indeed a wonderfull and interesting time, as a "teenybopper" following the song "Marrakesh Express" (by Graham Nash) and visting the places where Jimmi and the Stones stayed 10 to 15 years before I went.

Its culture and history is most interesting, next to its peoples.

Guess for us Europeans it was similar to the experience you folks in the good U S of A had when visiting Mexico in the same period.

It was grand till the mid 80ies. Best were the so-called "Fantasia" ; traditional annual gathering of tribesmen outside certain cities, building tent camp for themselves and visitors and displaying their agility on horses and control of their weapons; both swords and rifles

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=el+jadidah...-205877528.jpg

and not a male restricted party, also female warriors present:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=female+war...co-Magzter.jpg

due to its history, the country is most interesting with regards to the weapons used and present and to see. although by now in the past decades many if not most have been bought by collectors. Though some remain in the possesion of some tribes

enclosed some pictures from my collection:

https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showp...&postcount=312
https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showp...&postcount=316
https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showp...&postcount=317
https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showp...&postcount=318
https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showp...&postcount=319

they were and still are fierce warriors, which is as well for also for the Algerians, but in the same time most kind and hospitable if treated with respect.
Concerning your quest for weapons, I think both foreign legions and the museum in Fez will be happy to assist you and be a good source of info!
So good luck hunting! ☼☼☼

[gp]

last but not least, let's not forget our 2 most popular Legionairs!!!!

"Tiens, voilà du boudin, voilà du boudin, voilà du boudin"

https://suburbanmilitarism.wordpress...oreign-legion/

[Jim McDougall]

Fantastic GP!
Again, most interesting on your foray into these exotic regions, and yes I surely do recall the music, and that many entertainers did go there through the years. Im sure the "Marrakesh Express" gained new dimension with your experience, very exciting.

Yes, Mexico, and for me growing up in the early 60s in Southern California, the 'expeditions' across the border into 'T.J." (Tijuana) and onward to Ensenada were exciting (I think) with cerveza fueled exuberance. Hardly cultural experiences though, but fun from what I recall.

It is interesting on the cultural warrior traditions celebrations and parties!

And thank you for the levity!!! YES....who can forget 'Stanley and Ollie'!!!
They were hilarious, and in my studies in these topics, my sense of humor often compels me to my own 'perspectives', since we are sharing the lighter side of our discussion topic

All the best
Jim

[gp]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Fantastic GP!
Again, most interesting on your foray into these exotic regions, and yes I surely do recall the music, and that many entertainers did go there through the years. Im sure the "Marrakesh Express" gained new dimension with your experience, very exciting.

Yes, Mexico, and for me growing up in the early 60s in Southern California, the 'expeditions' across the border into 'T.J." (Tijuana) and onward to Ensenada were exciting (I think) with cerveza fueled exuberance. Hardly cultural experiences though, but fun from what I recall.

It is interesting on the cultural warrior traditions celebrations and parties!

And thank you for the levity!!! YES....who can forget 'Stanley and Ollie'!!!
They were hilarious, and in my studies in these topics, my sense of humor often compels me to my own 'perspectives', since we are sharing the lighter side of our discussion topic

All the best
Jim

thnx for the last picture, brings back memories of Moorcock and his musical enterprises

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mtOXAIODnGc

which coindincides with Moorcock's latest book The Citadel of Forgotten Myths on Elric, Saga of the Eternal Champoin with the sword "Stormbringer" ...to stay on cold weapons topic
by the way; only cerveza, not the strong good stuff with the worm in it..?☺☺☺
on topic on the latter

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/hom...da-powskey.htm


yes indeed , had a great time in Marrakesh, where I actually did buy 2 very old koummyas : one for my father ( an old WWII vet of the 9th US ) and myself

FYI: after the Battle of the Bulge, the "gaps" in the US ranks when resting in Maastricht, were filled by Dutch volunteers , the so-called stormtroopers "stoottroepen"(RSPB; regiment stoottroepen Prins Bernard) who assisted the US 9th Army going into Germany and later went for training to Enfield UK prior being send to Malesia and Indonesia under British command to fight the Japanese .
There equipent and uniform was US ( uniform, rifle, pistol and bayonet; his bayonet I still got )

[gp]

back on Moroccan soldiers, next to their participation as Legionairs, hereby their other contribution as goumiers in Europe during WWII

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/wor...-goumiers.html


https://alchetron.com/Moroccan-Goumi...les-1943-35565

https://www.yabiladi.com/investir/de...de-guerre.html

https://ww2f.com/threads/the-morocca...ch-army.14971/

https://solyanidjar.superforum.fr/t5...iers-marocains

https://2nd-division.com/_div.misc/s...r.moroccan.htm

https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23154343

[Jim McDougall]

GP! Great stuff! and the cowbell thing is classic of all time, Ive done a lot of Walken, he's one of a kind.
On the stronger stuff.....we called tequila...ta'killya....the next AM , oh no!

Fascinating on the later exploits of the Legion, and good on your dad in the 9th!
Thanks so much,
All the best
Jim