Post by 1886lebel on Jul 27, 2010 18:30:51 GMT -8
i lately have gotten questions regarding the usage of Chauchats and Overcoats in the unit so I will break it down.
Chauchats ... Until we have the number of men in the trench to FULLY SUPPORT a Chauchat Crew with the correct amount I believe that NONE of these weapons shall be used at a battle reenactment at Ozena whether it be a full or semi-automatic version. We must get enough men carrying Fusils first before we have someone carrying a Chauchat, to me it is ridiculous to see 2 or 3 guys carrying Chauchats and 1 or 2 people carrying Fusils which is not historically correct, so until we get the numbers in the unit up to at least 15 members attending the event I do not want to see a Chauchat bieng used at one ... PERIOD.
Overcoat ... We are portraying a Poilu from the late 1917 and 1918 period, the correct overoat is the double button rowed version not the single row version which was phased out of service in middle 1916. By July of 1916 all poilus were issued the double rowed pattern and any single rowed overcoats were withdrawn from service. Overcoats were to only last 12 months of service and new ones issued so by 1917 and 1918 the single rowed overcoats would not have been seen and from all the photographis evidence of that period, I have only seen one still i nservice at that time and it looked like the soldier was in the back-lines. So with this information it is HIGHLY encouraged that every poilu in the 151 RIL be using the double rowed overcoat.
Also of note is the usage of the tunique ... These were only to be used in the back-lines well away from the front-lines in recovery areas or during the summer when it was hot but only when the Commanding General authorized it usage in the front-lines. They were also worn underneath the overcoat during winter. Officers are the only exception to this, they wore them all the time, so unless you are an Officer and we only have one wear these in accordance with the above.
Patrick
Chauchats ... Until we have the number of men in the trench to FULLY SUPPORT a Chauchat Crew with the correct amount I believe that NONE of these weapons shall be used at a battle reenactment at Ozena whether it be a full or semi-automatic version. We must get enough men carrying Fusils first before we have someone carrying a Chauchat, to me it is ridiculous to see 2 or 3 guys carrying Chauchats and 1 or 2 people carrying Fusils which is not historically correct, so until we get the numbers in the unit up to at least 15 members attending the event I do not want to see a Chauchat bieng used at one ... PERIOD.
Overcoat ... We are portraying a Poilu from the late 1917 and 1918 period, the correct overoat is the double button rowed version not the single row version which was phased out of service in middle 1916. By July of 1916 all poilus were issued the double rowed pattern and any single rowed overcoats were withdrawn from service. Overcoats were to only last 12 months of service and new ones issued so by 1917 and 1918 the single rowed overcoats would not have been seen and from all the photographis evidence of that period, I have only seen one still i nservice at that time and it looked like the soldier was in the back-lines. So with this information it is HIGHLY encouraged that every poilu in the 151 RIL be using the double rowed overcoat.
Also of note is the usage of the tunique ... These were only to be used in the back-lines well away from the front-lines in recovery areas or during the summer when it was hot but only when the Commanding General authorized it usage in the front-lines. They were also worn underneath the overcoat during winter. Officers are the only exception to this, they wore them all the time, so unless you are an Officer and we only have one wear these in accordance with the above.
Patrick
