Joel

My mistake, I often misuse "colonial troops" in a far too broad meaning. Dandelion is indeed right, French units who joined the Allies after Torch were in majority Tirailleurs regiments, with locals (mainly Algerians and Morrocans) forming 75% of the manpower in each regiment. Michael, Equipment for French infantry divisions after August 44 was essentially the same as in Italy. However whereas there were only infantry units in Italy (except 4 armored cavalry and 2 TD regiments), three armored divisions were sent to the frontline in 1944 : 1st and 5th in de Lattre's "Armée B" in the south and Leclerc's "2e DB" under US command in the north. These were organised along the TOE for US "medium" armored divisions, the main differences with their US counterparts being the newest toys arriving a bit later and the Enfield M1917 instead of the Garand in the armored infantry battalions. Also some special units were employed, such as the "Bataillon de choc" (Brit style commandos armed mainly with Stens and French LMGs), "Commandos d'Afrique" (Thomsons and BARs, French cavalry M1935 helmet), or the 1st Parachute Infantry Regiment (1st RCP, which was one of the few French units to get the Garand). Many partisan units, about battalion size, were also integrated in de Lattre's army. Most of these units didn't fit in the Anfa re-arming agreement and thus had to be equipped with what was at hand, ie not much. That's the main reason why you can see pictures of French troops with a wide range of equipement and light weapons between September 44 and May 45. Hope this helps a bit in this very confused area. Cheers, Joël

As one who helped Steve on French matters for CMAK, I'll try to clear up some points mentioned above. I think the most important point to keep in mind is that the Free French equipment was in no way standardized, even after US deliveries. Thus the French representation in CMAK had to be a compromise, or would have needed far too much work proportionally to their numbers and operational importance. The rifles : Before Torch, the few Free French units (mainly Leclerc's column in Chad and 1st FF Brigade group from Bir Hacheim fame) had a mix of British and French weapons, from WW1 vintage rifles to MAS and British Lee Enfields. The 1st FF Brigade Group then became 1st FF Division and was (almost) entirely re-equipped with British weapons. After Torch, colonial troops in North Africa joined the Allies with their weapons (a mix of MAS and old rifles as individual weapons) then the Anfa agreements were signed that provided a frame to re-equip a number of French divisions based on US TOE. So most infantry formations were supposed to be issued the same weapons as their US counterparts, however due to some shortages almost none got any Garand M1, they instead got Springfield 1903 or Enfield 1917 rifles. That point is mentioned in almost every inspection report I've read (the French divisions had to go through a US-led inspection after re-equipment and training with US kit, before being sent to Italy.) Springfield rifles seem to be in greater numbers than Enfields for the units in Italy. By the way many units kept these rifles until the end of the war and were never issued the M1, 13th DBLE for instance. 1st Free French division, which had been re-equipped from French to British in October 42, had to follow a crash course for re-equipment with US kit in early 44 to be sent to Italy in April because Alexander wouldn't allow them in a US Army with British equipment (logistical nightmare). The helmets : it was a matter of compromise again. To make a long story short, there were all kinds of helmets and hats among the Free French troops but a large majority wore French helmets, except most troopers in the 1st Free French Division who kept their British helmets. I don't remember seeing one single pic of French troops in North Africa or Italy wearing US helmets, I guess the deliveries of helmets was not at the top of the list !

No info about that, sorry

You're welcome. Feel free to ask for more, I have *some* documentation about the French army !

Standard payload for the B1bis (SA35 47mm gun) was 20 HE and 30 AP, it was 91 HE and 21 AP for the D1 (SA34 47mm gun). I don't have the exact payload figures for the Somua S35 but it did emport 47mm HE ammo. The H39 though had only a 37mm gun (SA18 or SA38) and not a 47mm gun.

Yes but they were fully re-equiped with British kits only in October 42. Before that, they had mostly French crapola. This is quite clearly stated in both Koenig's "Bir Hakeim" book and the official history of 13th DBLE (Foreign Legion). By the way, you could also add a third stream, with Leclerc's Forces operating from Chad into southern Libya as soon as early 41. Mostly small scale action against Italians throughout 41 and 42, featuring French crapola vs Italian crapola... Hey, Leclerc's Free French even used captured Italian crapola!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: Then this third stream formed "Force L" and was on 8th army's left flank in Tunisia.

Actually they ended up with 4 infantry divisions there, plus supporting units and one light division's worth of Morroccan Goums ! Andreas is right, all French units were fitted with US kit and weapons before shipping to Italy, though some retained older stuff (British or French helmets for instance). Also the Springfield was generally issued instead of the Garand. [ October 13, 2003, 12:17 PM: Message edited by: Joel ]

AFRIKA KORPS by François de Lannoy, HEIMDAL Ed. - ISBN : 2-84048-152-9 Dual language French-English, 400+ pages, 800 photos, around 100 color shots. The one about 21st Panzer Division is of the same kind and is published by Heimdal Editions as well, but I don't own it so have no further details.

Oooops... actually I kept the French title, "Premier Sang", for the US version, in order to avoid any link with that atrocious Stalone's movie. :eek: :eek: :eek: So you will find it under... "P" !

Well, I'm not one of the "name" designers here, but since I have made more than one scenario I figure I'm entitled to tell which one is my favourite ! For CMBO : First Blood, because I did do a lot of research, visited the place and managed by an extraordinary coup de chance to find a detailed OOB for both sides of this unknown battle, and also because the objectives are not typical. I loved this one every time I played it. For CMBB : Protopopovka, on the CD, because there can be a lot of action going on in different sectors on this asymetric map. Both should be played in two players mode for maximum fun.

Redwolf, your question implies this behavior happens all the time, but you always mention the same single test result. I have also run some tests with a fire lane scenario similar to yours : - 4 lanes with 1 Regular HMG facing 1 Regular Maxim in each lane. - turn 1 : Maxim holds fire while HMG moves forward. - turn 2 : Maxim fire. - turn 3 : Maxim holds fire until end of test. In v1.01, I did 12 runs with 4 HMGs in each one. This led to only 3 HMGs out of 48 taking more than 5 turns to recover to "OK" and "Ready" status. That means that what you complain for happens roughly ONCE IN SIXTEEN TIMES. I'd suggest you do some more test runs with v1.01 before asking for code changes. As for the so called "ideal conditions" in the test, I wouldn't call them "ideal" when each HMG is out of command in bare open terrain facing one Maxim dedicated to ruin its life for a full minute.

Thanks guys, I will forward your answers to him.

Hi all, I forward a problem a fellow French player has had for some time. His computer reboots randomly since he has installed CMBB. The reboots happen while playing CMBB but also outside CMBB, they did not happen before he installed the game. His config : P4 2.4GHz DFI motherboard Geforce 4 Ti 4200 (40.72 driver) Windows XP 256 Mo RAM Any idea, anyone ? :confused:

Ok ok, that looks a bit rude from me, but it was meant more as a joke than a slap, so please add some and to lighten the mood when reading my previous post.

No problem Paulus, this will be addressed asap in your next private update (called V1.01-VP) : Charles has been called back from vacation and is flying to his computer at double speed to code the change you required. Your well-reasoned argument "I want it because I need it" has convinced him that it was a huge mistake to have overlooked this feature. Your private update V1.01-VP will also include a dedicated phone-line to Charles' office so he can more easily benefit from your suggestions. [ October 28, 2002, 05:36 PM: Message edited by: Joel ]