Why are all the French soldiers wearing bags over their hats?
I've never seen such folly. Does anyone know why they did this?
shareBecause otherwise the sun glints off the polished metal and gives away their positions.
shareNo: they are foul-weather covers, made of oiled or tarred fabric, to keep their shakos/hats dry and their shako plates from tarnishing. These were routinely worn on campaign by all armies of the period. (They are also, convenient when a production company won't pay for decent headgear and shako plates for all their extras.)
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