Description
Book SynopsisFrance''s colonial wars in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia were very largely fought by an organization completely separate from both the home-defense Metropolitan Army and the Armée d''Afrique in Algeria. The Naval Troops (Troupes de la Marine) were volunteers, and earned a reputation for greater toughness and hardiness than the conscripted Metropolitan Army.
Spread throughout the French Empire, Naval Troops in this period were characterized by very large infantry and artillery regiments based in France, mixed race regiments (Régiments Mixtes), and entire native regiments raised in West Africa, Madagascar, and Indochina. The latter, the so-called Tirailleurs, were organized and led by officers and cadres from the Naval Troops, and wore very varied and colorful uniforms based on formalized versions of traditional local costumes.
French Naval & Colonial Troops 18721914 uses rich and detailed full color plates as well as thorough
Table of Contents
Introduction – organization of French forces for overseas service/ Chronology/ Campaigns: Indochina, from 1883 – West Africa, from 1886 – Dahomey, from 1890 – Madagascar, from 1885 – China, 1900/ Locally raised units: Tirailleurs & Spahis Sénégalais – Tirailleurs Haoussas – Tirailleurs & Spahis Soudanais – Tirailleurs Sakalaves & Malgaches – Tirailleurs Annamites, Tonkinois & Cambodgiens/ Minor island garrisons/ Plate Commentaries
