French regional knives...

I respect them all, from wherever, the nameless sent forth to kill the faceless: a war about nothing, that devoured Europe in a pitiful needless civil-war that engulfed peoples from former Empires and far off places too. Then set the stage for further horrors. The arrogance of those in power caused this.

Died some, pro patria,
non "dulce" non "et decor" . . .
walked eye-deep in hell
believing in old men's lies, then unbelieving
came home, home to a lie,
home to many deceits,
home to old lies and new infamy;
usury age-old and age-thick
and liars in public places.

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Jack Black said:
The worst driving I've ever seen was in Rome, Damascus, and Beirut in the 70's. Poland's roads are very quiet by comparison, but you see a lot of terrible (incompetent) driving, or you did, the last time I was there 15 years ago :eek:
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It is no better in Colorado Springs, I can assure you 😋

And some knife content from here in Colorado . . .

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Jolipapa said:
GrandPa's Légionnaire enlistment book and dog tags. Amazingly forks and spoon were provided, but no knife!

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Wowser great history,can you tell us more.
I was working with 2REP re-supplying them in Bosnia.
In the cookhouse they all had wacking great knives they used for meals basically their combat knives so thats probably why.

One time they asked me to do a special convoy as they said they needed urgent supplies,I agreed as we got on well with them,they treated us better then the British army.
When I got my convoy to drop the containers we found they where stuffed with booze,beer,wine etc. even plastic wine glasses.
They had pulled a fast one it was for Bastille day,I was invited for the party but I declined I could see it was going to get messy and I had to get back to Split.



AP

www.aparchive.com www.aparchive.com
 
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Grand'pa enlisted in1914 aged of 40 or so, was instructed in Bourges and sent to Algeria in dec 1914 (Légion does not fight on the national ground, it is nationals' duty), crossing the Mediterranean sea on the Sidi-Brahim, later famous for fighting with a German submarine.
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He stayed in Saïda's quarters then was sent to Mecheria in the Great South. 2ème Régiment Etranger, 26ème Compagnie.

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He was granted French citizenship afterwar for "good behaviour".
Légionnaire's life is tough but always good food provided when available. par défaut 8.jpg

I also found an old postcard of ND de Lorette.
ND_de_Lorette.jpg

(mod remove if unappropriated)
 
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Jolipapa said:
GrandPa's Légionnaire enlistment book and dog tags. Amazingly forks and spoon were provided, but no knife!

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I love reading these things and seeing the old photos,was he French as some pretended to be Belgium to join as only the officers where French.


I just finished reading this book its a great read if you would like to read it (in English of course) message me and I will post it to you.

Its a later period 1950/60s but gives a feel of what life was like.



I was an unarmed civilian in Bosnia doing a military job,the legion looked after me they couldn't believe we where in the front line unarmed.

When I turned up at the camp one day they all looked a bit glum,I asked whats wrong?

They said we have to paint our vehicles white,all the UN vehicles are white I said.

Yes they said but white is the colour of surrender,they never surrender.

I loved that attitude, thats when I knew they would protect me whatever the consequences.
 
Jolipapa said:
Better with some knife content!
The kind of postcard that warmens wifey's heart when hubby on special ops. Just "drop me a line!" 🤗
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Probably long ago discarded...
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I love reading these things and seeing the old photos,was he French as some pretended to be Belgium to join as only the officers where French.


I just finished reading this book its a great read if you would like to read it (in English of course) message me and I will post it to you.

Its a later period 1950/60s but gives a feel of what life was like.





I was an unarmed civilian in Bosnia doing a military job,the legion looked after me they couldn't believe we where in the front line unarmed.

When I turned up at the camp one day they all looked a bit glum,I asked whats wrong?

They said we have to paint our vehicles white,all the UN vehicles are white I said.

Yes they said but white is the colour of surrender,they never surrender.

I loved that attitude, thats when I knew they would protect me whatever the consequences.
 
Johnnythefox said:
I love reading these things and seeing the old photos,was he French as some pretended to be Belgium to join as only the officers where French.


I just finished reading this book its a great read if you would like to read it (in English of course) message me and I will post it to you.

Its a later period 1950/60s but gives a feel of what life was like.





I was an unarmed civilian in Bosnia doing a military job,the legion looked after me they couldn't believe we where in the front line unarmed.

When I turned up at the camp one day they all looked a bit glum,I asked whats wrong?

They said we have to paint our vehicles white,all the UN vehicles are white I said.

Yes they said but white is the colour of surrender,they never surrender.

I loved that attitude, thats when I knew they would protect me whatever the consequences.
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He was born in Slovakia, then part of Hungarian kingdom. I doubt many say they are Belgian, the official song make much fun of them, because the king Leopold had forbiden them to join the Legion when created.


Tiens t'auras du boudin (3x) Come y' get some blackpudding*
Pour les Alsaciens, les Suisses et les Lorrains For the Alsacians, the Swiss and the Lorrains
Pour les Belges y'en a plus (x2) No more left for Belgians
Ce sont des tireurs au cul They’re shooters in the ass**

* boudin : nickname of the standard bag
** slang for slouch and lazy
 
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Johnnythefox said:
This one I sold some time ago its the larger version of 2 smaller ones I still own which I prefer.

Have you seen this model before I love it?

Ive been back to the owners little shop it was quite a detour on my motorbike road trip.

You probably noticed by know I like decent hunk of corn.




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Made by a woman?
 
Jolipapa said:
Because Charlie has a similar knife (the shape of the blade reminded me of that) made by a cutler who is a woman. I can't remember her name.
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oh I see, I will post details later I thought it might be a regional joke I didn't get.



IMHO these are top class knifes tough and usable.


The offer still stands if you want to read that book its a great story,fighing in Algeria etc. (no charge).
 
Johnnythefox said:
oh I see, I will post details later I thought it might be a regional joke I didn't get.



IMHO these are top class knifes tough and usable.


The offer still stands if you want to read that book its a great story,fighing in Algeria etc. (no charge).
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That's a very kind offer but reading a complete book in English would be too difficult a task! I have eye problems (left eye torn retina) and I have great difficulties to read small prints. 😕 Computer allows me to widen the characters.
 
Jolipapa said:
Because Charlie has a similar knife (the shape of the blade reminded me of that) made by a cutler who is a woman. I can't remember her name.
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I don’t remember the knife or the maker’s name, but I remember she had a clever play on words on her marketing materials:

Le “savoir-fer” au féminin.

You could probably Google that to find the maker.
 
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