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Desert War
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Gourmier, North Africa circa 1943


Gourmiers were the native Algerians, Morrocans, Lybians, and bedoiun tribesmen who fought

 for the Allies in WWII.  Each tribesman wore a distinctive "robe" to indicate their allegiance to clan. They fought with a mix of gear and weapons, partly French, Partly British, and partly American (through the Lend Lease act).  

 

This gourmier is sporting a British BREN light machine gun, Brit helmet, and tommy sack. He carries a Lee Enfield over his shoulder, as a personal weapon.

  
 
Arab Legion, Tobruk

This is a member of the Arab Legion, a group of Bedouin Tribesmen gathered by the British forces in Egypt and Lybia to harass and spy on the German and Italian forces.  The favored camels for transport, and were known to have traveled over 200 miles in a single day.  He carries a WWI vintage French Bolt action rifle for his weapon, and a British Webley revolver. 

    
 
 
 

Here, the two man an outpost with a Vickers Heavy Machine Gun.  This particular weapon has AA sights mounted onto it, as these weapons were often used to shoot at low flying spotter aircraft. 



 
 
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