French Model 1920/35 Vareuse.
This particular soldier is in walking-out dress with an M1918 side-cap (bonnet de police), M35 shirt and tie and what appears to a private purchase M20/35 vareuse.
This particular soldier is in walking-out dress with an M1918 side-cap (bonnet de police), M35 shirt and tie and what appears to a private purchase M20/35 vareuse.
The tunic is odd, possessing as it does a more pointed collar than typical, a tailored fit, slant pockets and collar patches where the unit number '2' is embroidered in metal thread but with no corresponding senior NCO or officer insignia attached to the sleeves. The grey / white soutaches on khaki collar patches could suggest either 2nd Battalion de Chars de Combat (tank unit attached to the 5th Army consisting of Renault 35 tanks) or an unknown regional infantry formation. The 2e BCC was only formed in August 1939, just prior to full mobilisation.
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