How the French #$#$# Us in WWI

[ethics]

Of French manufacture, the Chauchat 8mm light machine gun was developed in 1907 and subsequently modified in 1915._ It became the French army's standard infantry weapon, and some 250,000 were produced during wartime alone.
Weighing under 10 kg the Chauchat suffered from the requirement that as many as four men were required to transport its ammunition (in drums)._ It suffered too from a high unreliability factor, a fact blamed on poor manufacturing standards._ Until the delivery of the Browning machine guns the US army also bought and used the Chauchat guns (having bought approximately 34,000 in 1917).

The above description of this gun: http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/graphics/chauchat.jpg was very mild and understating.

See, during WWI, the US military in Europe were issued this machine gun, which, among other things, was also made in such a way that the parts were NOT interchangeable. If you saw the cartridge you'd immediately see a problem with the design when you add the trench war factor.

Not only that, but not any of the manufactured Chauchat's were exactly the same in performance!!!

Why didn't the US issue more of their Browning's (BAR) guns, which were superior?

Well, according to archives and History Channel (which is where I am getting all of this) the US thought the Browning SO successful that they were afraid the Germans would get a hold of it, manufacture it, and use it against us.

I thought it was perfect example of politics not belonging in military. To this day, they do not know how many lives could have been saved by a simple replacement of the guns.

[Sierra Mike]

This is all correct. :)

The French should stick to the things they know best: wine, food, berets, retreats, insouciance, and elaborate braids in underarm hair.

SM

[ethics]

I should add that it was the US who was responsible but you know me, I can't pass a good flame for the French. ;)

[midranger4]

I'm telling Fredus he needs to become a member here ;)

[ethics]

Originally posted by midranger4
I'm telling Fredus he needs to become a member here ;)

LOL!

[Sierra Mike]

Originally posted by ethics
I should add that it was the US who was responsible but you know me, I can't pass a good flame for the French. ;) Hey, if the EU can distort things happening in the here and now to suit their purposes, I can warp the past to fit mine. :)

SM

[Sir Joseph]

"Yanks" by Eisenhower is a good read on the US involvement in WWI. The French then, were as French today. Typical arrogant people. They even made some US troops fight under the French flag. If I remember correctly, Pershing (the US guy in charge) had screaming matches all the time with the Frenchie in charge.
Then again in WWI, AEF was not the Allied Expeditionary Force but the American Expeditionary Force (or After England Fell).
Well, there's my little side track off the main line.

[jamming]

You should hear what they did to thier Foreign Legion in that War, the only time Legionnaires fought in large groups on the Continent.

[ShinyTop]

They treated their own army with the same contempt. The French army actually mutinied during the first world war.

[Coot]

Just to go off topic for a minute, but I've long advocated that Paris is wasted on the French. A few well placed neutron devices and we could move the population of Des Moines there. Hell, give 'em a couple of years to take root and you could get a mean corn dog on the Champs Elysees.

[HaYwIrE]

Originally posted by Steve Moore
Hey, if the EU can distort things happening in the here and now to suit their purposes, I can warp the past to fit mine. :)

SM C'mon now Steve! Yer startin' to sound like a Libe...

Oh nevermind. :rolleyes:

[Copzilla]

Originally posted by Coot
Just to go off topic for a minute, but I've long advocated that Paris is wasted on the French. A few well placed neutron devices and we could move the population of Des Moines there. Hell, give 'em a couple of years to take root and you could get a mean corn dog on the Champs Elysees.
I don't think anyone would even consider that an act of war. Even if it was, the French would last... oh... about 38 minutes against the 138th, 156 and 329th Mechanized Cub Scout Troops.

Coot for Prez!

[Stiofán]

The magazine was so poorly designed, the thing would jam up almost immediately. The sides of it were open, allowing the mud from the trenches (as Ethics alluded to) to get into it and then into the receiver.

Paris is an awesome city. Too bad the French are there screwing it up.

[mikepd]

Originally posted by ShinyTop
They treated their own army with the same contempt. The French army actually mutinied during the first world war.

Very true, in fact, the movie, 'Paths of Glory', starring KIrk Douglas that came out in 1957 was based on that event as an anti-war statement.

[rowd]

As far as i'm concerned France can go HERE (http://www.evildave.com/france.htm)

[ethics]

Rowd, you sicko! ;)

I like it. :)

[John R. Beanham]

The Yanks were only in the front line for about 5 months in 1918.

Did a choice of MG make all that much difference?

Rmember, most of the aeroplanes flown by America in WW1 were French.

John.

[jamming]

Ask the guys that died John. If I ask you did Gallipoli really meant that much, I bet it would bother you and a number of Australians. No we didn't have it as tough as you did, but we didn't see it as our war until they started to kill our people and ships on the sea.

[mikepd]

Originally posted by rowd
As far as i'm concerned France can go HERE (http://www.evildave.com/france.htm)

Should we let Fredus see it ;)

[Fredus]

Oh man ... Why did I ever join these forums ?? I mean, we did what we can during WWI .. .We won some battles, we lost some but everybody was a looser. I don't believe there are winner in war.

As for the Chauchat, it was one fine weapon. You can't argue this ... C'mon ... You can't. Right ??

Fred

[Fredus]

Originally posted by mikepd
Should we let Fredus see it ;)

Such an ungrateful little movie ... Why would you want to destroy this fine landmark ?? It would be a shame for the one who brought you your Liberty statue. See ?? We always offer you beautiful piece of art and all you do is bashing ....

Fred

[ethics]

Originally posted by Fredus
Oh man ... Why did I ever join these forums ?? I mean, we did what we can during WWI .. .We won some battles, we lost some but everybody was a looser. I don't believe there are winner in war.


It was more in jest, Fredus, trust me.

Besides, I actually admitted it was more about US pathetic policies of trying not to have the Germans have our "fine" weapons so, let's not give it to the US soldiers!

Stupid policies.

The Chaucat, however, was far from a great weapon. ;)

Speaking of which, and this might be another thread, but the second tank ever made was made by France.

[mikepd]

Fredus, Ethics is right. France has much to be proud of and rightly so. Don't let American humor (or lack of it) fool you into thinking you are not wanted or valued here. You are very much wanted here. Differing views, especially presented from an international perspective are most welcome. Americans have always had a love/hate relationship with France and I also think with Germany as well. Probably a couple of other countries too. That does not mean we don't like individuals or respect their contributions to our country. Just keep thinking we're a bit strange and excuse our eccentricities.

Mike