U.S. Folding Shovel Carrier-Carried on/used by the French Army

The French Army heavily used the American M1943 folding shovel (entrenching tool) and its accompanying canvas carriers during and after World War II. This occurred most notably during the First Indochina War (1946–1954) and the Algerian War (1954–1962). 

Through the American Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP), France received massive quantities of surplus American equipment to rebuild its own armed forces.

Carrying Method and Use

• Different Carriers: French troops used both the American 1st Pattern carrier (with a fixed, rigid metal belt hook) and the 2nd Pattern carrier (with an adjustable canvas strap with eyelets to carry the shovel high or low on the hip). 
• Attachment to the Belt: The carriers were hooked directly onto the supplied American M1936 pistol belts, or attached to the special rings of the French TAP (Troupes Aéroportées) Modèle 1950/1951 webbing system for paratroopers.
• Alternative Packing: In the dense jungles of Indochina, soldiers often removed the carrier from their belt. They then tied it to the outside of their M1944 backpack or stuffed the shovel loose into their TAP Modèle 50/51 duffel bag (musette) to prevent it from getting snagged on thick branches.
• Units: The shovel belonged to the standard equipment of the regular French infantry, the French Foreign Legion (such as the 1er BEP paratroopers), and the marines (Coloniaux).
• Domestic Production: Because the design was so well-liked, France later began producing exact copies of the M1943 shovel and carrier itself to supplement the aging American supplies.