| Joep123 | 24 Oct 2014 6:12 p.m. PST |
Hi everyone;
I was wondering when the French army changed from Kepi to helmet in WWI…I think it was 1916, but can't seem to find the answer on-line.
Thanks;
Joe |
| John the OFM | 24 Oct 2014 6:45 p.m. PST |
After enough poilus had been killed. |
| Joep123 | 24 Oct 2014 7:03 p.m. PST |
Hi John;
Actually…all of the reading I've just been doing on various websites…come up with a similar answer.
The same could be said when they were finally persuaded to switch to the Horizon Blue.
Joe |
DontFearDareaper  | 24 Oct 2014 7:04 p.m. PST |
If I remember correctly the Adrian helmet was developed in 1915, but probably wasn't widely distributed until 1916. |
| Natholeon | 24 Oct 2014 7:21 p.m. PST |
It was introduced in late 1915. By the start of Verdun in February 1916 the French were all wearing helmets. |
| Cardinal Hawkwood | 24 Oct 2014 7:40 p.m. PST |
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rvandusen  | 24 Oct 2014 9:01 p.m. PST |
The helmets were introduced in the 2nd half of 1915. They were in use by the 2nd Champagne Offensive at the latest. |
 enfant perdus | 24 Oct 2014 11:26 p.m. PST |
The same could be said when they were finally persuaded to switch to the Horizon Blue. The French began to test "modern" uniforms in 1902. They had several promising designs which, unfortunately, were too close in color to some likely enemies. The decision to adopt bleu horizon was reached well before the outbreak of the War and production began in August 1914. |
| Weasel | 25 Oct 2014 2:20 p.m. PST |
I've seen a couple of photo's with a mix of helmets and hats, but they seem to have switched every over faster than happened in the German army. |
| Joep123 | 25 Oct 2014 8:38 p.m. PST |
Good feedback everyone;
So recreating battles of 1915…Horizon blue uniforms and in later 1915, early 1916 for helmets.
Gearing up for Great War Spearhead 2…in 6mm…early war battles (1914-1915)
Thanks;
Joe |
 Dan Cyr | 25 Oct 2014 9:21 p.m. PST |
Keep in mind that various units, Marines, colonial, native colonial, etc., had different uniforms. Dan |
| Joep123 | 26 Oct 2014 7:14 p.m. PST |
yep…thanks Dan.
I think that some of the "Colonials" had better low visibility uniforms than the 1914 French regulars.
As E.P. pointed out the French did test other uniform colors before the war…one site mentioned that the color would have been similar to Italy's uniform color (green-grey). But politics and past glories got in the way and they stayed with the blue and red for a while until going to the Horizon Blue. |
| enfant perdus | 26 Oct 2014 7:42 p.m. PST |
For anyone interested in French uniforms of the Great War, I strongly recommend the 2 volumes by Histoire and Collections.
link
link |
| monk2002uk | 26 Oct 2014 11:23 p.m. PST |
The Réséda uniform was like a khaki colour. As seen in this photograph, the proposed new infantry helmet had the basic shape that would become the Adrian style. The new uniform was available for review in 1913 but I am uncertain about the politics behind the decision not to adopt it. I would urge caution about the interpretation that everyone loved the red trousers, harking back to days past. By 1914 there were units that were already using different coloured trousers, as mentioned above: link Robert |
| Joep123 | 27 Oct 2014 8:27 a.m. PST |
Good stuff E.P. and Monk.
Great photo of the styles of uniforms Monk.
Maybe it's just wargamers who want them to stay with the dark blue coat and red trousers:-)
Joe |
