French Legion Desert Hat.

Hi Guys.

Here's a French Hat from my collection, the dealer informed me that this is the type worn by the Legion..any truth in this?, either way I pleased to own it, and hope you all like it too, feel free to comment or query, thanks for looking

Hi Gary, The french foreign legion wear more the green beret than the boonie hat, I think they wear their own beret, it's more than a trademark

I don't know anything about the French militaria but I'm sure its like if a dealer says that a us boonie hats are type that navy seals wear while other units also used it.

ladrang wrote:Hi Gary, The french foreign legion wear more the green beret than the boonie hat, I think they wear their own beret, it's more than a trademark

Thanks for looking Will, and especiallty for the info..cheers Mate

Mercenary25 wrote:I don't know anything about the French militaria but I'm sure its like if a dealer says that a us boonie hats are type that navy seals wear while other units also used it.

Could be some truth in that Jeremy, it was cheap, and being the cynic I am ,I was dubious about it's legion connection

Gary,

This desert hat (named "bob" in France) appeared with Daguet and was still in used in 2000. But I couldn't imagine that this is only for foreign legion troops. The desert pattern is still in use and is still probably the most convenient camouflage in Djibouti, Tchad, Darfour, Côte d'Ivoire or Lebanon. as we has been present overthere for years. By now, this camouflage seems to be used mainly by french air force and their special force commandos.

Few pictures

Commandos de l'Air (see the badge)




Afghanistan - Kandahar

Fantastic information and pictures J-Y, many thanks for your input on this..Great

Just in the same spirit, french air force!!!

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Commandos de l'Air too. You could see the beret in their trousers pocket. They are in charge of fench air bases security.

Jean-Yves

FUSCO (Fuilliers Commandos de l'Air) to be more precise.

Commandos de l'Air is a global designation for FUSCO and CPA (for Commandos Parachutistes de l'Air, ou French JTAC (CPA 20) & Pararescuemen (CPA 30), CPA 10 is a kind of mix of both CPA 20&30 and is under Special Operations Command (COS), kind of a French 24th STS)

matfar wrote:FUSCO (Fuilliers Commandos de l'Air) to be more precise.

Commandos de l'Air is a global designation for FUSCO and CPA (for Commandos Parachutistes de l'Air, ou French JTAC (CPA 20) & Pararescuemen (CPA 30), CPA 10 is a kind of mix of both CPA 20&30 and is under Special Operations Command (COS), kind of a French 24th STS)

Many thanks Matfar, for this excellent info, I will research this unit.

Parfait grand Merci

WOW very cool patch,thanks for posting

ladrang wrote:WOW very cool patch,thanks for posting

Thanks Will, it's not mine...I stole the pic off the internet

Perhaps one of the French collectors have one in their collection to show

Always happy to see other french menbers which are participating in this section. Welcome aboard matfar.

Hi Gary

The most important is too post it,

JYN wrote:Always happy to see other french menbers which are participating in this section. Welcome aboard matfar.

Totally agree with you J-Y, keep on participating Matfar

ladrang wrote:Hi Gary

The most important is too post it,

Absolutely Will, totally agree

Hello Gary

this "bob" (as Jean-Yves said we call that hat a "bob" in France) was designed in this camouflage for the Gulf War in 1990/91.

During this war it was worn (an the Army Green too) by ALL the French troops in Saudi Arabia. So the Legion wore it. The reason was that the French Chief of Staff had to mix Legion and Spahis (Cavalry) and Marine troops in same units, and he didn't want them to compete too much. So he asked them not to wear their green or red or dark blue berets, and to put instead this bob.

But after the war of course, the put back their berets.

So saying this bob is a Legion cap is not false, but not true.

nico62fr wrote:Hello Gary

this "bob" (as Jean-Yves said we call that hat a "bob" in France) was designed in this camouflage for the Gulf War in 1990/91.

During this war it was worn (an the Army Green too) by ALL the French troops in Saudi Arabia. So the Legion wore it. The reason was that the French Chief of Staff had to mix Legion and Spahis (Cavalry) and Marine troops in same units, and he didn't want them to compete too much. So he asked them not to wear their green or red or dark blue berets, and to put instead this bob.

But after the war of course, the put back their berets.

So saying this bob is a Legion cap is not false, but not true.

Salut Nico,many thanks and since I posted this hat,I learned that in France they are referred to as Bob. Your knowledge is fantastic ,I do and will continue to appreciate any further information on French items of clothing and equipment.

I understand what you mean by this Bob, maybe being legion,great information!!!

Many thanks again.

Gary