Hi Guys ,
Thought I would just share m thoughts on a book that I have had in my library for a while ..the Osprey series are well worth a look , whichever series . wether its the Men at Arms , Warrior , Elite or any of the others .
Title: French Foreign Legionnaire 1890 – 1914 (Warrior 157)
Author: Martin Windrow
Illustrated by: Peter Dennis
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN Number: 978-1-84908-422-2
Cost: £11.99
The Legion is full of myths and Legends, the image being “Beau Geste” but the reality was very different, the force earning its reputation during the colonial wars in the period covered by this book.
The book begins at why men enlisted , the multi national force (including Turks , Swiss, German and Polish) and the process that they went through to join transforming from “pekins”(or civilians) to “bleus”(recruit) to fully trained legionnaires.
Men who joined the legion for whatever reason soon found it to be a hard and disciplined life but they were proud to be part of such an elite unit and an “esprit du corps” was observed by all.
The harsh training is looked at including the long desert marches, also the equipment and weapons they carried. The way they spent the off duty hours spending the pay they earned (often in bars and brothels).
The officers were always French and dedicated to their men and this was given back, they craved active service, often in harsher climates in what was considered an “unfashionable” posting.
Life on campaign is also covered looking at Madagascar and Tonkin in the 1890’s and the Sud-Oranis in the period 1900-07, moving on to Morocco in 1908, also looked at is the legion’s mounted companies …far from the common image of the legion.
A particularly good read is about the experience of battle, the fear, the bravery and the thoughts that went through their minds, the final outcome being medical standards which varied form adequate at the base hospitals to very rudimentary on the battlefield.
Finally the discharge of the legionnaire is discussed, entitled to a small pension, some settled in the area of their last posting running bars and shops …providing their health had not suffered.
The book has 8 full colour plates, all of which make great references; there is a mass of original photographs and line drawings, all of which give the reader the image of the real legion.
This book is easily read and set out in keeping with the others in the “Warrior” range.It will make a nice addition to the bookshelf and will be read many times I am sure …A recommended read and purchase to anyone interested in the Legion.
Nap
Thought I would just share m thoughts on a book that I have had in my library for a while ..the Osprey series are well worth a look , whichever series . wether its the Men at Arms , Warrior , Elite or any of the others .
Title: French Foreign Legionnaire 1890 – 1914 (Warrior 157)
Author: Martin Windrow
Illustrated by: Peter Dennis
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN Number: 978-1-84908-422-2
Cost: £11.99
The Legion is full of myths and Legends, the image being “Beau Geste” but the reality was very different, the force earning its reputation during the colonial wars in the period covered by this book.
The book begins at why men enlisted , the multi national force (including Turks , Swiss, German and Polish) and the process that they went through to join transforming from “pekins”(or civilians) to “bleus”(recruit) to fully trained legionnaires.
Men who joined the legion for whatever reason soon found it to be a hard and disciplined life but they were proud to be part of such an elite unit and an “esprit du corps” was observed by all.
The harsh training is looked at including the long desert marches, also the equipment and weapons they carried. The way they spent the off duty hours spending the pay they earned (often in bars and brothels).
The officers were always French and dedicated to their men and this was given back, they craved active service, often in harsher climates in what was considered an “unfashionable” posting.
Life on campaign is also covered looking at Madagascar and Tonkin in the 1890’s and the Sud-Oranis in the period 1900-07, moving on to Morocco in 1908, also looked at is the legion’s mounted companies …far from the common image of the legion.
A particularly good read is about the experience of battle, the fear, the bravery and the thoughts that went through their minds, the final outcome being medical standards which varied form adequate at the base hospitals to very rudimentary on the battlefield.
Finally the discharge of the legionnaire is discussed, entitled to a small pension, some settled in the area of their last posting running bars and shops …providing their health had not suffered.
The book has 8 full colour plates, all of which make great references; there is a mass of original photographs and line drawings, all of which give the reader the image of the real legion.
This book is easily read and set out in keeping with the others in the “Warrior” range.It will make a nice addition to the bookshelf and will be read many times I am sure …A recommended read and purchase to anyone interested in the Legion.
Nap
..finger trouble 
