Lost Command is a 1966 film shot in Spain and based on the book Les centurions by Jean Lartéguy. The plot concerns the French war in Algeria (although the film begins with the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu in Indochina). The film is often erroneously reviewed as depicting French Foreign Legionnaires when they are actually French Colonial Paratroops (and referred to as such in the film).
In the film the unit that is formed in Algeria that the film revolves around is the fictional 10ème Regiment de Parachutiste Coloniaux which, in the French military tradition, would be abbreviated 10e RPC. Of course, translated, it is the 10th Colonial Parachute Regiment. At the first of the film, during the attack at Dien Bien Phu, the unit that the characters belong to is not named.
The following weapons were used in the film Lost Command:
The character of Capitaine Phillipe Esclavier (Alain Delon) is seen using an Astra Modelo 600 pistol in numerous scenes in the film. While not a standard issue French pistol, the major filming location was in Spain, hence the appearance of a Spanish made pistol in the film. This is also true of the dozens of Spanish Mauser rifles and Star submachine guns seen throughout the film. More than likely the film's production crew had easier access to Spanish made firearms than the correct French military issue firearms.
The character of Capitaine Julien Boisfeuras (Maurice Ronet) is seen using a M1911A1 pistol throughout the film. The pistol is also seen in the hands of a number of other French paratroops as well as being used by Mahidi (George Segal). The use of the M1911A1 pistol by the French is not inaccurate as thousands were provided to the French military by the United States after the end of the Second World War. The pistol was used by the French in both Indochina and Algeria to supplement French manufactured (and issued) pistols.
The French MAT modèle 49 submachine gun is utilized by the French paratroops throughout the film. In some scenes the Viet Minh, as well as the Algerians, can be seen using this submachine gun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingMAT-49 submachine gun - 9x19mmError creating thumbnail: File missingFrench paratrooper with a MAT modèle 49 submachine gun during the attack at Dien Bien Phu. Note the OF 37 hand grenades laying to the right of the paratrooper. The paratrooper to the left is armed with a Spanish Mauser Modelo 98/43 rifle.Error creating thumbnail: File missingLieutenant-Colonel Pierre-Noel Raspeguy (Anthony Quinn) seen changing the magazine of his MAT modèle 49 submachine gun. For a film made in 1966 there are numerous scenes with the French paratroops (and Algerians) changing their weapon's magazines. Something you do not even see in modern films.
Star Modelo Z-45
During different scenes throughout the film a number of Spanish Star Modelo Z-45 submachine guns (with folding stocks) are utilized. As with the Astra Modelo 600 pistol, the use of the Star Modelo Z-45 is probably attributed to them being easy to obtain by the production crew since filming was conducted in Spain.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingStar Modelo Z-45 - 9mm LargoError creating thumbnail: File missingA Viet Minh soldier, during the scenes of the attack at Dien Bien Phu, carrying a Star Modelo Z-45 submachine gun.Error creating thumbnail: File missingWeapons collected by the 10e RPC after the ambush on the way to Gafez. In the pile are numerous Star Modelo Z-45 submachine guns, Spanish Mauser Modelo 98/43 rifles, as well as the Browning M1919A4 machine gun being inspected.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe Algerian terrorist that attacks the paratroops in Rahlem is seen here with a Star Modelo Z-45 submachine gun.Error creating thumbnail: File missingStar Cam or First Person Shooter! A few scenes, during the final assault on the Algerian positions in the Aures Mountains, are filmed from behind a firing Star Modelo Z-45 submachine gun...this was somewhat revolutionary at the time to have a "gun camera" scene...way before The A-Team thought of it.
Rifles
M1 Carbine
Korean War vintage (with bayonet lug) M1 Carbines are seen being carried by French paratroops in a few scenes as well as being used by Mahidi (George Segal). Like the M1911A1 the appearance of this firearm in the film is not inaccurate. Thousands were supplied to the French by the United States after the end of the Second World War and used by the French in Indochina and Algeria to supplement French issued rifles. These carbines (along with the folding stock M1A1 variant) were, historically, ordered to be issued to the Colonial and Foreign Legion paratroops and proved to be extremely popular with them.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM1 Carbine - .30 CarbineError creating thumbnail: File missingParatroops of the 10e RPC during the scene prior to the night ambush on the village of Rahlem. The paratrooper second from the left is holding a M1 Carbine. In a wide shot of this scene a number of paratroops can be seen carrying carbines.Error creating thumbnail: File missingA wider shot of the paratroops of the 10e RPC during the same scene as above. At least three M1 Carbines are visible.Error creating thumbnail: File missingMahidi (George Segal) seen with a M1 Carbine during the final assault in the Aures Mountains. In the scene he is being viewed by the French through a pair of binoculars!Error creating thumbnail: File missingAfter Mahidi's (George Segal) death, during the final assault in the Aures Mountains, the French paratrooper on the right is seen carrying a M1 Carbine.
Mauser Modelo 1916
The Spanish made Mauser Modelo 1916 rifle is seen being utilized by not only the French paratroops (erroneously) but also the Viet Minh troops at the first of the film and by the Algerians throughout the rest of the film. Like other Spanish firearms in the film these were probably easy to procure by the production crew due to filming in Spain.
The Spanish made Mauser Modelo 98/43 rifle is seen being utilized by not only the French paratroops (erroneously) but also the Viet Minh troops at the first of the film and by the Algerians throughout the rest of the film. Like other Spanish firearms in the film these were probably easy to procure by the production crew due to filming in Spain.
The American Browning M1919A4 machine gun is utilized by the French paratroops during the Dien Bien Phu and Algerian scenes. The Algerian terrorists are also seen using the machine gun, one of which is captured, and is part of a sub-plot.
A Spanish upgrade of the Bazooka, the M-65 rocket launcher is seen being used by the Algerians during the ambush of the 10e RPC motorized column on it's way to Gafez.
Mortars are seen being used by both the Algerians and French paratroops during the final assault in the Aures Mountains. These are Spanish 81mm Valero M1933 Mortars.
