Sammy Flex the Unproblematic King
@sammyflex.bsky.social
Amateur historian, temporarily exiled from Paris 🇺🇸 🇫🇷
(Cover image: 6e Régiment de Tirailleurs Marocains, Viticuso, Italy, Feb. 1944)
(Cover image: 6e Régiment de Tirailleurs Marocains, Viticuso, Italy, Feb. 1944)
It looks like this exact vehicle actually survives today in the tank museum (Musée des Blindés) in Saumur! Apparently it is the last of its kind!
tank-photographs.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/jagdpanzer-I...
tank-photographs.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/jagdpanzer-I...
December 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
It looks like this exact vehicle actually survives today in the tank museum (Musée des Blindés) in Saumur! Apparently it is the last of its kind!
tank-photographs.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/jagdpanzer-I...
tank-photographs.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/jagdpanzer-I...
Have a fun one for panzer fans today, and photos of captured vehicles and equipment are always a novel find.
December 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Have a fun one for panzer fans today, and photos of captured vehicles and equipment are always a novel find.
December 1944: A German Jagdpanzer IV tank destroyer captured by troops of the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division (3e DIA) near the Col du Bonhomme. The crew of an M10 TD gets a close-up look at the enemy vehicle here. [2/2]
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Panzer #Armor #Tank
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Panzer #Armor #Tank
December 21, 2025 at 5:27 PM
The 12e GRCA which I've diagrammed here had a particularly long campaign, starting in the Belgian Ardennes on 10 May and finding itself south of the Dordogne at the armistice. Along the way it fought in the famous battle at Stonne and fought a sharp delaying action on the Loire at Blois.
December 21, 2025 at 12:20 AM
The 12e GRCA which I've diagrammed here had a particularly long campaign, starting in the Belgian Ardennes on 10 May and finding itself south of the Dordogne at the armistice. Along the way it fought in the famous battle at Stonne and fought a sharp delaying action on the Loire at Blois.
A little graphic I've put together as part of some wikipedia work: Structure of a typical French army corps recon group in 1940. Interesting little cavalry units combining horse-mounted and motorized elements. Often the most mobile and flexible formations on hand, they saw a lot of action in 1940.
December 21, 2025 at 12:06 AM
A little graphic I've put together as part of some wikipedia work: Structure of a typical French army corps recon group in 1940. Interesting little cavalry units combining horse-mounted and motorized elements. Often the most mobile and flexible formations on hand, they saw a lot of action in 1940.
December 1939: French coastal defenses at Zuydcoote, near #Dunkirk.
1. A Quartier-maître 2e Classe of the navy on sentry duty.
2. 120 cm searchlight.
3. Coast defense gun - the caption claims it is 155mm, but I believe it is a 95mm mle 1888.
4. Coastal artillery crew.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory
1. A Quartier-maître 2e Classe of the navy on sentry duty.
2. 120 cm searchlight.
3. Coast defense gun - the caption claims it is 155mm, but I believe it is a 95mm mle 1888.
4. Coastal artillery crew.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory
December 20, 2025 at 4:49 PM
December 1939: French coastal defenses at Zuydcoote, near #Dunkirk.
1. A Quartier-maître 2e Classe of the navy on sentry duty.
2. 120 cm searchlight.
3. Coast defense gun - the caption claims it is 155mm, but I believe it is a 95mm mle 1888.
4. Coastal artillery crew.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory
1. A Quartier-maître 2e Classe of the navy on sentry duty.
2. 120 cm searchlight.
3. Coast defense gun - the caption claims it is 155mm, but I believe it is a 95mm mle 1888.
4. Coastal artillery crew.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory
#OnThisDay 20 December 1954: Patrol by the 9e Régiment de Zouaves in Kabylia. [2/2]
The Zouaves search a suspected insurgent who was caught in possession of a Sten gun.
#Algeria #France #MilitaryHistory #ColdWar #Decolonization #Kabylie #Algérie
The Zouaves search a suspected insurgent who was caught in possession of a Sten gun.
#Algeria #France #MilitaryHistory #ColdWar #Decolonization #Kabylie #Algérie
December 20, 2025 at 4:39 PM
#OnThisDay 20 December 1954: Patrol by the 9e Régiment de Zouaves in Kabylia. [2/2]
The Zouaves search a suspected insurgent who was caught in possession of a Sten gun.
#Algeria #France #MilitaryHistory #ColdWar #Decolonization #Kabylie #Algérie
The Zouaves search a suspected insurgent who was caught in possession of a Sten gun.
#Algeria #France #MilitaryHistory #ColdWar #Decolonization #Kabylie #Algérie
#OnThisDay 20 December 1954: Patrol by the 9e Régiment de Zouaves in Kabylia, in response to insurgent activity in the area of Tizi-Ouzou. [1/2]
The men are primarily armed with MAS-36 rifles and Sten submachine guns.
#Algeria #France #MilitaryHistory #ColdWar #Decolonization #Kabylie #Algérie
The men are primarily armed with MAS-36 rifles and Sten submachine guns.
#Algeria #France #MilitaryHistory #ColdWar #Decolonization #Kabylie #Algérie
December 20, 2025 at 4:37 PM
#OnThisDay 20 December 1954: Patrol by the 9e Régiment de Zouaves in Kabylia, in response to insurgent activity in the area of Tizi-Ouzou. [1/2]
The men are primarily armed with MAS-36 rifles and Sten submachine guns.
#Algeria #France #MilitaryHistory #ColdWar #Decolonization #Kabylie #Algérie
The men are primarily armed with MAS-36 rifles and Sten submachine guns.
#Algeria #France #MilitaryHistory #ColdWar #Decolonization #Kabylie #Algérie
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - 5e Bataillon de Chasseurs Laotiens on the march. [6/6]
1. Village chief of Houei Lot provides information to officers of the 5e BCL.
2&3. Village women.
4. A 57mm recoiless rifle.
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
1. Village chief of Houei Lot provides information to officers of the 5e BCL.
2&3. Village women.
4. A 57mm recoiless rifle.
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
December 19, 2025 at 10:12 PM
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - 5e Bataillon de Chasseurs Laotiens on the march. [6/6]
1. Village chief of Houei Lot provides information to officers of the 5e BCL.
2&3. Village women.
4. A 57mm recoiless rifle.
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
1. Village chief of Houei Lot provides information to officers of the 5e BCL.
2&3. Village women.
4. A 57mm recoiless rifle.
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - 5e Bataillon de Chasseurs Laotiens on the march. [5/6]
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
December 19, 2025 at 10:09 PM
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - 5e Bataillon de Chasseurs Laotiens on the march. [5/6]
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - Foreign Legionnaires of 2nd Battalion, 3e REI arriving Muong Khoua. [4/6]
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
December 19, 2025 at 10:06 PM
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - Foreign Legionnaires of 2nd Battalion, 3e REI arriving Muong Khoua. [4/6]
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - Sikorsky helicopter at Muong Khoua. [3/6]
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine #AviationHistory
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine #AviationHistory
December 19, 2025 at 10:04 PM
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - Sikorsky helicopter at Muong Khoua. [3/6]
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine #AviationHistory
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine #AviationHistory
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - Moroccans of the 32e Goum of the 5e Tabor at Muong Khoua. [2/6]
1. Goumier Addou Ben Mohamed
2. Filling sandbags
3. Goumier Ali
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Morocco #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
1. Goumier Addou Ben Mohamed
2. Filling sandbags
3. Goumier Ali
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Morocco #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
December 19, 2025 at 10:03 PM
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - Moroccans of the 32e Goum of the 5e Tabor at Muong Khoua. [2/6]
1. Goumier Addou Ben Mohamed
2. Filling sandbags
3. Goumier Ali
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Morocco #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
1. Goumier Addou Ben Mohamed
2. Filling sandbags
3. Goumier Ali
#Indochina #France #ColdWar #Morocco #Vietnam #Laos #Decolonization #Indochine
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - An aggressive patrol into Laos to cut Viet Minh supply routes. One column set out from Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam, the other from Muong Khoua in Laos (pictured - with 4e Bat. de Chasseurs Laotiens). [1/6]
#Indochina #ColdWar #France #Vietnam #Laos
#Indochina #ColdWar #France #Vietnam #Laos
December 19, 2025 at 10:01 PM
#OnThisDay 19 December 1953 Opération Ardèche - An aggressive patrol into Laos to cut Viet Minh supply routes. One column set out from Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam, the other from Muong Khoua in Laos (pictured - with 4e Bat. de Chasseurs Laotiens). [1/6]
#Indochina #ColdWar #France #Vietnam #Laos
#Indochina #ColdWar #France #Vietnam #Laos
December 1944, Nordhouse, Alsace:
1. Capt. Robert d'Alançon, intelligence officer, examines a map with Lt. Chevalier of 3rd Squadron, 12e Régiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique.
2. An exhausted soldier of the 4th Squadron, RBFM behind the wheel of a jeep.
#WWII #WW2 #France #MilitaryHistory #Alsace
1. Capt. Robert d'Alançon, intelligence officer, examines a map with Lt. Chevalier of 3rd Squadron, 12e Régiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique.
2. An exhausted soldier of the 4th Squadron, RBFM behind the wheel of a jeep.
#WWII #WW2 #France #MilitaryHistory #Alsace
December 19, 2025 at 9:39 PM
December 1944, Nordhouse, Alsace:
1. Capt. Robert d'Alançon, intelligence officer, examines a map with Lt. Chevalier of 3rd Squadron, 12e Régiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique.
2. An exhausted soldier of the 4th Squadron, RBFM behind the wheel of a jeep.
#WWII #WW2 #France #MilitaryHistory #Alsace
1. Capt. Robert d'Alançon, intelligence officer, examines a map with Lt. Chevalier of 3rd Squadron, 12e Régiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique.
2. An exhausted soldier of the 4th Squadron, RBFM behind the wheel of a jeep.
#WWII #WW2 #France #MilitaryHistory #Alsace
December 1954: The 8e Bataillon de Parachutistes Coloniaux (BPC) on patrol in the Aurès mountains.
#Algeria #France #Decolonization #ColdWar #Algérie
#Algeria #France #Decolonization #ColdWar #Algérie
December 18, 2025 at 9:25 PM
December 1954: The 8e Bataillon de Parachutistes Coloniaux (BPC) on patrol in the Aurès mountains.
#Algeria #France #Decolonization #ColdWar #Algérie
#Algeria #France #Decolonization #ColdWar #Algérie
#OnThisDay 17 Dec 1939 French gold reserves carried aboard the battleship Dunkerque arrive in Halifax, Canada, for safekeeping. This is the second of three convoys bringing French gold across the Atlantic.
#WWII #WW2 #France #Canada #Halifax #MilitaryHistory #NavalHistory
#WWII #WW2 #France #Canada #Halifax #MilitaryHistory #NavalHistory
December 17, 2025 at 9:12 PM
#OnThisDay 17 Dec 1939 French gold reserves carried aboard the battleship Dunkerque arrive in Halifax, Canada, for safekeeping. This is the second of three convoys bringing French gold across the Atlantic.
#WWII #WW2 #France #Canada #Halifax #MilitaryHistory #NavalHistory
#WWII #WW2 #France #Canada #Halifax #MilitaryHistory #NavalHistory
I believe- though I'm not an artillery expert- that those are the charges used to propel the projectile. They were divided into increments and depending on the desired range the crew might employ a reduced charge. Here's an excerpt from the M7 Priest technical manual:
December 14, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I believe- though I'm not an artillery expert- that those are the charges used to propel the projectile. They were divided into increments and depending on the desired range the crew might employ a reduced charge. Here's an excerpt from the M7 Priest technical manual:
#OnThisDay 14 Dec 1944 French 2nd Armored (2e DB) on the offensive in the Witternheim-Benfeld sector, south of Strasbourg. [5/5]
Evacuation of wounded by Dodge ambulance to army hospital in Ergersheim, Lower Rhine dept.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
Evacuation of wounded by Dodge ambulance to army hospital in Ergersheim, Lower Rhine dept.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
December 14, 2025 at 2:59 PM
#OnThisDay 14 Dec 1944 French 2nd Armored (2e DB) on the offensive in the Witternheim-Benfeld sector, south of Strasbourg. [5/5]
Evacuation of wounded by Dodge ambulance to army hospital in Ergersheim, Lower Rhine dept.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
Evacuation of wounded by Dodge ambulance to army hospital in Ergersheim, Lower Rhine dept.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
#OnThisDay 14 Dec 1944 French 2nd Armored (2e DB) on the offensive in the Witternheim-Benfeld sector, south of Strasbourg. [4/5]
Riflemen and engineers advance cautiously on a forested road, 4th photo depicts impact of incoming German artillery.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
Riflemen and engineers advance cautiously on a forested road, 4th photo depicts impact of incoming German artillery.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
December 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
#OnThisDay 14 Dec 1944 French 2nd Armored (2e DB) on the offensive in the Witternheim-Benfeld sector, south of Strasbourg. [4/5]
Riflemen and engineers advance cautiously on a forested road, 4th photo depicts impact of incoming German artillery.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
Riflemen and engineers advance cautiously on a forested road, 4th photo depicts impact of incoming German artillery.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
#OnThisDay 14 Dec 1944 French 2nd Armored (2e DB) on the offensive in the Witternheim-Benfeld sector, south of Strasbourg. [3/5]
105mm artillery support from M7 Priests of the 33e Batterie, XIe Groupe, 64e Régiment d'Artillerie de Division Blindée.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
105mm artillery support from M7 Priests of the 33e Batterie, XIe Groupe, 64e Régiment d'Artillerie de Division Blindée.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
December 14, 2025 at 2:56 PM
#OnThisDay 14 Dec 1944 French 2nd Armored (2e DB) on the offensive in the Witternheim-Benfeld sector, south of Strasbourg. [3/5]
105mm artillery support from M7 Priests of the 33e Batterie, XIe Groupe, 64e Régiment d'Artillerie de Division Blindée.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
105mm artillery support from M7 Priests of the 33e Batterie, XIe Groupe, 64e Régiment d'Artillerie de Division Blindée.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
#OnThisDay 14 Dec 1944 French 2nd Armored (2e DB) on the offensive in the Witternheim-Benfeld sector, south of Strasbourg. [2/5]
Mine clearance by engineers of the 13e Bataillon du Génie (BG).
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
Mine clearance by engineers of the 13e Bataillon du Génie (BG).
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
December 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
#OnThisDay 14 Dec 1944 French 2nd Armored (2e DB) on the offensive in the Witternheim-Benfeld sector, south of Strasbourg. [2/5]
Mine clearance by engineers of the 13e Bataillon du Génie (BG).
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
Mine clearance by engineers of the 13e Bataillon du Génie (BG).
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace #OTD
#OnThisDay 14 Dec 1944 French 2nd Armored (2e DB) on the offensive in the Witternheim-Benfeld sector, south of Strasbourg. [1/5]
1&2: M4A3 "Douaumont II", 3e Cie., 501e RCC. Commander+Driver WIA later this day.
3&4: 9e Cie., Rgt. de Marche du Tchad.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace
1&2: M4A3 "Douaumont II", 3e Cie., 501e RCC. Commander+Driver WIA later this day.
3&4: 9e Cie., Rgt. de Marche du Tchad.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace
December 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
#OnThisDay 14 Dec 1944 French 2nd Armored (2e DB) on the offensive in the Witternheim-Benfeld sector, south of Strasbourg. [1/5]
1&2: M4A3 "Douaumont II", 3e Cie., 501e RCC. Commander+Driver WIA later this day.
3&4: 9e Cie., Rgt. de Marche du Tchad.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace
1&2: M4A3 "Douaumont II", 3e Cie., 501e RCC. Commander+Driver WIA later this day.
3&4: 9e Cie., Rgt. de Marche du Tchad.
#WWII #WW2 #MilitaryHistory #France #Alsace