Modeling the
Franco-Prussian Armies 1870

Part II: The French Army

Turco Infantry

By Pat Condray

"Turcos" or Tirailleurs Indigenes as they appeared in 1855 and 1859. Note white "tombeau" on bottom row, red on top. Trousers and vest were white by 1870. Officers wore a loose tunic also favored by chasseur/zouave officers.

There were also 3 regiments of native African infantry - which the Zouaves had been to a decreasing degree during the 1830's and 40's, termed variously as Tirailleurs, Algerians, or "Tirailleurs Indigenes", or "Turcos", originally wearing green jackets, vests, and cartridge pouches with yellow lace and red trousers with light blue girdle and cuffs. However, by 1858 this had changed to light blue with the same system of regimental distinctions as the zouaves, that is, each regiment had a distinctive color of false pocket; 1st red, 2nd white, 3rd yellow, 4th sky blue (the Guard Zouave pocket was dark blue, both cases matching the jacket).

Like the Zouaves, the Turcos often did not wear the turban in action oron the march, but this cannot be considered universal. By 1870 they are usually shown with light blue jackets, but white trousers, white turbans (when worn) and red fez. The girdle was usually blue.

Although using a triangular bayonet, the Zouaves were trusted with a rifled musket and a leaf sight even at the time of the Crimea. As discussed earlier, the line infantry was not trusted with such sophisticated devices -even when the Minie rifle was issued - which coincided with the issue ofthe saber bayonet to the zouaves,the leaf sight was not. I have nodirect evidence, but I suspect that if the French army did not think the French line infantrymen was competent to handle the leaf sight, it would not so favor an Arab.

More Franco-Prussian Armies of 1870

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