Officer, 1st Spahis, Free French Forces, Africa, 1942.jpg

Capitaine, 1st Regiment of Spahis, North Africa, 1942

The defeat of France in 1940 split both the metropolitan and colonial French into three camps. Those who favoured peace under the Vichy regime, those who did not care and those who wished to continue the fight against the Third Reich. Whilst many colonies opted, initially, for the first two courses of action, many troops did not and joined the British.

The 1st Spahis was a north African mounted unit raised by the French in 1831. It fought in many wars for the French, including the Second World War. Then they were equipped with British armoured cars and fought in the desert.

This French officer wears a lightweight drill uniform for desert service, with a M26 armoured personnel helmet. The former consisted of a bush shirt and shorts, with suede shoes and long socks. All probably of British origin. On the shoulder straps is the slide on rank insignia of a Capitaine.

His helmet remains a French item with the Spahis badge attached to the front. The front peak has been removed, and in its place a leather pad. The pad provided some impact reduction for the head.

Below the helmet is shown this officer’s side cap, in the red of the Spahis. Note on the front is his rank insignia in thick gilt piping.

His equipment is the ubiquitous Sam Brown belt, of French origin.