WWI france

WWI Elite French Mountain Regiment Poses for a Group Photograph

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eBay is a strange way to acquire antique photographs that have captured significant periods of world history. Here at PortaitofWar.com we strive to provide an interesting set of completely politically-disengaged weekly posts to highlight the importance of the first and second world war to a modern audience.

Two weeks ago I took a leap and purchased a photograph of a WWI foreign unit that  I’ve been unable to identify until tonight:

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159 ème REGIMENT D’INFANTERIE ALPINE

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The 159th Alpine Infantry Regiment of the French Army

The photograph above depicts a 23 man group of French Chasseur Alpine soldiers with the 159th Infantry Regiment. See below for close up shots:

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The berets and insignia of the 159th

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159th

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Cuff insignia?

Rare WWI 2nd Cavalry Photo RPPC Taken in France – 2nd Dragoons Training Station

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A particularly special photo acquisition comes in the form of a 2nd Cavalry RPPC (real photo postcard) taken somewhere near Tours, France during the war.  The 2nd Cav. trained only ten miles from my house in Vermont, at Fort Ethan Allen before their departure to Hoboken for transfer overseas to France.  Considered by many to be the only  true U.S. mounted cavalry units to serve during WWI, the 2nd Cav. was a unique unit that tends to be glossed over by WWI histories.  I’m proud to add this photo to my collection!

Interesting details of the photo include a mascot puppy, the use of spurs, and a raggedy pigeon perched on a shoulder.

For those interested in reading more on the history of the 2nd Cavalry, check out this website:  http://history.dragoons.org/category/world-war-i/

2nd Cav. Puppy Dog Mascot