France

Class / Type Calibre Quantity Year
Mk. I 8mm Lebel 2000 1914-1916
Mk. I* .303-inch 177 1916
Mk. I* .303-inch 2767 1917
Mk. I* .303-inch 3294 1918
M1918 11mm 802 1918

The French also produced their own version of the Mk. II aircraft gun in .303-inch to ensure compatibility. This production commenced in 1917 and finished in 1919. Some conversion to and production of 11mm Gras chambered weapons also took place.

During the Second World War, the Free French Forces were supplied by the British and the US. Where the British were the supplier (North West Europe), they used British service guns, including the ‘K’ gun by Commando Troops.

Hobart (1971) identifies that the French Army used the Vickers MG after the Second World War, along with Browning and German MG42 Machine Guns, including the conflict in Indo-China. He further identifies that one of the failings of the French operations in Indo-China were due to the wide range of ammunition types used and the failure of the logistics operations to ensure continuity of supply of all the calibres.


Sources