Electrical Telegraphy was used by the French Army from the mid 1867 onwards. Initially part of the "Génie" (Engineers) the "Transmissions" (Signal Corps) was established as an independent branch of the Armée de l'Armistice in 1942, and kept as such under the Armée française de la Libération and later the current french army [34] [37].
This essay presents the timeline from the first to the last portable analog wireline local battery field telephones used in France, from the third to the fifth republic. All information is based on the referenced literature.
Most information is based on original documents from the time, all sources are listed at the end.
Most images are sourced from the referenced publications, while unreferenced color images are from instruments in my personal collection.
The Bulletin officiel du ministère de la guerre. Génie. Télégraphie militaire (1912) [2] details two telephone sets in the section titled Instruction spéciale relative à la composition, au transport et à l'entretien du matériel du service de la télégraphie légère dans la cavalerie (1907): the Poste microtéléphonique de campagne, modèle 1899—apparently a buzzer-based unit with a foldable handset—and the Téléphone Aubry, modèle 1891, which appears to be a sound-powered device equipped with a signalling trumpet. I could not locate any additional documentation or evidence regarding these particular sets.
A telegraphiste gradé carrying a Poste microtéléphonique de campagne, modèle 1899 [2]:
Matériel Microtéléphonique de Campagne Mod. 1908:
(Not to be mistaken for the below mentioned Poste Microtéléphonique, Modèle 1908)
This is a type of headset with battery powered microphone and no signalling device:
The field microtelephone equipment Mod. 1908,
assigned to a battery, includes a set of devices, namely:
2 microtelephones;
3 batteries;
2 removable metal supports;
1 unroller;
the accessories;
2 large leather bags;
2 small leather bags.
[0]
Matériel Microtéléphonique de Campagne Mod. 1908, the set itself [0]:
Microtelephone. - It includes (fig. 1):
1 transmitter;
1 handle earphone;
1 simple earphone;
1 earth plug;
1 terminal B.
Installing a station:
1. Plant the metal support;
2. Cover the support with the transmitter socket.
3. Hang the earphones;
4. Plant the ground pin near the support;
5. Place the battery at the foot of the support and connect it;
6. Connect the line;
7. Hold an earphone to the ear;
8. When the corresponding station is installed, whistle to call or answer it.
[0]
Matériel Microtéléphonique de Campagne Mod. 1908, example on how to use [0]:
At the start of World War I, the French army relied primarily on telegraphy for communication. Each of the five French armies — each comprising around 250,000 soldiers — had access to only about 130 telephones, 90% of which used a buzzer-call system. By the end of 1917, however, communication infrastructure had improved significantly, and each infantry regiment, with approximately 2,000 soldiers, was equipped with 24 telephones [7].
The available regulations from the WWI period do mention four military (TM) and four civil field telephone sets in use: TM08, TM14, TM09-15, TM16 and the S.I.T in three variants and the Western Electric 1375-B. The Model 1909 is not mentioned in these regulations [3] [4] [5].
Poste Microtéléphonique, Modèle 1908:
This set is contained in two juxtaposed leather bags.
The larger of the two bags contains a wooden box
containing:
1 A handset with carbon granule microphone and telephone
earpiece;
2 A second telephone earpiece;
3 A buzzer with call button;
4 An induction coil.
A spare microphone capsule is housed in a pocket arranged inside the lid of the leather bag.
The small bag contains two T.M. No. 1 battery cells.
(The handset earpiece is foldable).
[4]
The TM 08 handset and the diagram [4]:
Dans le Bois le Prêtre, au Nord de Pont-à-Mousson, Mai 1915. Based on the handset this may be a TM 08:
Bibliothèque nationale de France, Public Domain
Telephone de campagne, Modèle 1909:
This was probably the magneto set which is mentioned in the history chapter of Cours de Liaisons et Transmissions (1923) meaning a total of less than 100 of these were available in August 1914 (where the french military consisted of five armies):
An army of four corps [...] had access to 130 telephones of which only 12 had magneto calling [...].
[7]
The microtelephone apparatus contained in a box for transport includes:
1. A handset comprising a transmitter and an earpiece;
2. An independent earpiece;
3. A capacitor;
4. An induction coil;
5. A magneto;
6. A ringer;
7. A box of batteries contained in a bag;
8. Various flexible cords
[1].
Telephone de campagne, Modèle 1909: [1]:
Poste Microtéléphonique de campagne, Modèle 1914:
This station, contained in two leather bags, includes:
In the larger of the two bags:
1 A headband headset with two receivers;
2 A breastplate with microphone;
3 A handle with a lever switch;
4 A vibrator.
The small bag, attached to the first, contains two TM. No. 1 liquid-filled battery cells.
[...]
The headband headset is equipped with two receivers that are applied against the ears.
These receivers each have a resistance of 250 ohms and are mounted in shunt.
The breastplate carries a microphone of the model already described in connection with the field station, model 1908.
The handle with a lever switch is arranged like that of the handset of the 1908 and 1909-1915 stations.
The vibrator is identical to that of stations 1908 and 1909.
[4]
The TM 14 diagram [4]:
Poste Microtéléphonique, Modèle 1909-1915, dit Timmimoun:
This set (fig. 5) is enclosed in two juxtaposed leather cases.
The larger one contains:
1 A handset with a carbon granule microphone and a telephone earpiece;
2 A second telephone earpiece;
3 A buzzer with call button (black);
4 A magneto;
5 A ringer;
6 A spare microphone capsule placed inside the cover of the leather case.
The smaller case contains two T. M. No. 1 battery cells.
The handset, the buzzer , the induction coil and the battery are identical to those of the model 1908 set.
The Magneto is of the type with four inductor magnets, model of the P. T. T. Administration.
[4]
I did not find any source regarding the reason for the "Timmimoun" nickname. Timimoun is a small oasis town in the Algerian Sahara.
The TM 09-15 [4]:
Téléphoniste près de Soissons, Décembre 1915, using a TM 09-15:
Bibliothèque nationale de France, Public Domain
Poste Microtéléphonique, Modèle 1916:
This set is enclosed in a single leather bag.
It is a transformation of the 1909-1915 set with the aim of lightening it and reducing its bulk.
This new set includes:
1 A handset with carbon granule microphone and a telephone receiver;
2 A second telephone receiver;
3 A magneto with included buzzer;
4 A ringer;
5 A spare microphone capsule;
6 Two TM No. 0 battery cells.
[5]
The buzzer on this set is powered by the magneto rather than the battery — a completely unique design not found on any other field phone in the world. The TM16 was still in use up to WWII, but as a modified version without the magneto powered buzzer [12].
The TM 16 [11]:
To fullfill the rapidly growing demand for field telephones also commercial/civil sets were introduced. Made by S.I.T (Société Industrielle des téléphones) the Poste Microtéléphonique, Modèle S.I.T. 144 in the variants 4, 6 (Both magneto only) and 8 (Magneto and buzzer) [5]. Made by Western Electric the Poste Microtéléphonique, Western Electric Co. type Serbe which is the Western electric product 1375-B [6], identical to the US EE-5 [5].
The S.I.T. 144(8) and Western type Serbe diagrams [5]:
Below a Western Electric Co. type Serbe and a TM 16 (Made by Burgunder, leather pouch is missing):
In the early 30ies the TM 09-15 were still in use, and the TM 16 was still the standard issued set.
The new Poste téléphonique de campagne type T.M., modèle 1927 was already available but not yet issued as standard [9]:
The 1927 set differs from the 1916 Model in the following points:
a) it does not have a buzzer call;
b) it does not have a white button; [the line test button]
c) its ringer is polarized;
d) the accessories that make it up are largely of a type common in the P.T.T. service, so as not to have, in the event of intensive needs, a military component
different from the civil component.
[9]
The TM 27 [11]:
The artillerie seems to have even left out the TM 27, Transmissions. Cours Pratique. Poitiers: Ecole Militaire d'Artillerie, 1938. [12] only mentions the TM 16 and the newer Appareil Téléphonique Type TM 1932:
The T.M. 1932 telephone set is a field set with a local battery.
Its weight is approximately 4.6kg, its dimensions are:
Length 215 mm
Width 135 mm
Height 210 mm
In 1939, this set was used by troop corps, transmission units and fortifications.
Contained in a sheet steel box, all the internal organs of the device are supported by a chassis of the same metal.
It includes a handset and an additional earpiece connected to the device by two flexible cords.
The box of the device rests on four small metal feet.
On one of its small faces, it has a recess inside which the folding crank of the magneto is located.
[...]
The box of the device has two compartments.
One, larger on the right, is the housing of the chassis and the batteries;
in the other, smaller, on the left, are housed the handset, the additional earpiece and their
cords.
[16]
The TM 32 [14]:
The TM 32 is already mentioned in Manual du personnel des transmissions des corps de troupe (1935) but is there called Appareil Léger 1931 [11].
The TM 32 continued to be used after WWII [16]. Several iterations based on the TM 32 were developed, including a version with a pluggable headset, and a wall/bunker model (Poste téléphonique étanche TM 32) used in the Maginot Line [43]. Another variant, the CB version known as Appareil Téléphonique Type TM 1936, featured a foldout hookswitch fork and a dial. There was also a version with a bakelite casing instead of a metal box, the Appareil Téléphonique Type TM 1939 [16] [32] [33] [42].
Below a TM 27 (leather pouch is missing) and two TM 32:
The Appareil Téléphonique AT1 (LB only) and the Appareil Téléphonique AT2 (LB and CB) seem to have been developed immediately after WWII (or even still during):
The A.T.1. telephone set is a field set with a local battery.
It is contained in a shock-resistant molded bakelite case.
It can be worn on the shoulder by means of a strap or on the belt by means of tabs fixed on a curved wall of the case.
[...]
With the handset cover lifted, we can see:
— two screw line terminals whose nuts cannot be completely disengaged;
— on the left and right, two screws which cannot be completely disengaged and which are used to hold the battery cover in the closed position;
— towards the middle, two spring fasteners to hold the flexible cord of the handset in the transport position;
— two hollow supports for placing the handset.
The handset is made up of a "shock bakelite" mount supporting, on one side an earpiece, on the other a microphone, both contained in housings provided for this purpose.
Towards the middle, at the handle, the handset carries the microphone pedal, ensuring the closing of the primary circuit in the conversation position.
[16]
Appareils et Centraux Téléphoniques. Trans. IT-102/1. does not mention the AT2, but does mention the TM 32 and the US EE-8-(*) [16]. The AT-1/2 use an anti side-tone 3 windings coil setup, all french field telephones before that used only a simple primary/secondary coil setup.
The AT1 [16]:
Based on a highly unscientific and not statistically significant survey amongst pictures found on the internet I believe there were three series of AT1/2 delivered:
| Contract | Make | Customer | Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marche No. 158, 22.10.45 | AOIP | Guerre Transmissions | AT1, AT2 |
| (1947) | G. Jardillier | Air Transmissions | AT1, AT2 |
| Marche No. 8230, 1951 | AOIP | Service Technique des Télécommunications de l'Air | AT2(a) |
Below an AOIP made AT1 (AOIP, 1945), an AT2 (Jardillier, 1947) and an AT2(a) (AOIP, 1951):
Following World War II, France sought to maintain its colonial influence in Southeast Asia and North Africa (Algeria), while also becoming a founding member of NATO. During this period, France primarily relied on telecommunications equipment provided by the U.S. The field telephones used included the EE-8 [17] which was allready supplied to french forces during the liberation of France. Although I found no direct evidence, it is likely that other models, such as the TA-43/PT and TA-312/PT, and possibly the TA-1/PT, were also introduced.
The last known (to me) french designed and manufactured field telephone was the 1989 TLEE89 (Sometimes called type AT-75A).
Below from back to front, a french refurbished EE-8, a TA-43/PT and a TLEE89:
Below table gives an overview of all above described instruments. The "generation" is my classification. I left out the gen. zero as information available is to sparse. All the instruments are also listed on the Global Field Telephones Comparison List.
| Generation | Name | Year | Weight [kg] (incl. Bat.) | Battery | [B]uzzer or/and [M]agneto call | Mentioned in regulations/manuals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poste Microtéléphonique, Modèle 1908 | 1908 | 2x 1,5V TM-1 | B | [3][4][5] | |
| Telephone de campagne, Modèle 1909 | 1909 | 10 | 2x 1,5V TM-1 | B/M | [3][4][5] | |
| Poste Microtéléphonique de campagne, Modèle 1914 | 1914 | 2x 1,5V TM-1 | B | [3][4][5] | ||
| Poste Microtéléphonique, Modèle 1909-1915, dit Timmimoun | 1915 | 7 | 2x 1,5V TM-1 | B/M | [3][4][5][11] | |
| Poste Microtéléphonique, Modèle 1916 | 1916 | 7.5 | 2x 1,5V TM-0 | B/M | [5][11] | |
| 2 | Poste téléphonique de campagne type T.M., modèle 1927 | 1927 | 8 | 2x 1,5V TM-0 | M | [11] |
| Appareil Téléphonique Type TM 1932 | 1932 | 5.5 | 2x 1,5V TM-0 | M | [16] | |
| Appareil Téléphonique Type TM 1936 | 1936 | 5 | 2x 1,5V TM-0 | M | [16] | |
| Appareil Téléphonique Type TM 1939 | 1939 | 5 | 2x 1,5V TM-0 | M | [16] | |
| 3 | Appareil Téléphonique AT1 | 1945 | 4,6 | 2x 1.5V T.M.S | M | [16] |
| Appareil Téléphonique AT2 (AT2a) | 1945 (1951) | 4,6 | 2x 1.5V T.M.S | M | - | |
| TLEE 89 (aka. AT-75A) | 1989 | 4 | 4x 1.5V BA-30 | M | [18] |
At the beginning of WWI the french army in total has only a couple of hundred telephones available, then during the war years up to 1918 more than 200'000 were acquired [37]. For first-generation devices, the TM 16 appears to be the most widely produced model, though production numbers are not documented, multiple providers contributed to its manufacture [41]. In the second generation, the TM 27 seems to have been produced in limited quantities; documents from the late 1930s continue to reference the TM 16 alongside the TM 32, but not the TM 27 [12]. Among the TM 32/36/39 "family," the TM 32 is the most common model, whereas the TM 36 is rarer, and the TM 39 even more so. From 1937 to 1938 about 4000 TM 32 were procured, if before or later more were procured is not documented [37]. Typically, the TM 32 does not include any manufacturer markings. All AT(*) devices, either AT1 or AT2, were manufactured by AOIP or Jardillier, with observed serial numbers indicating fewer than 5,000 units per series.
The first-generation devices provided buzzer or/and magneto signalling (or a combined magneto based buzzer as in the TM16). The french buzzer type operates by mechanically vibrating the buzzer blade, unlike eg. German or English buzzers, which rely on electromagnetic force to activate the buzzer mechanism. On the TM16 and TM09-15 vibrating ringers which activate on DC or AC are used. From the TM 27 onwards only magneto signalling and polarised ringers are used.
The french buzzer as used in the TM 08 and 09-15 [4]:
The TM 09-15 vibrating ringer [4]:
The TM 32 magneto [16]:
The TM 32 polarised ringer [16]:
Spelling tables (Tableau des analogies) were added to the devices from TM 27 onwards, the TM 32/36/39 and the AT1/2 have spelling tables attached.
Initially Leclanché dry elements were used, later as of 1928 Leclanché storage type elements (water activated) are in use [5] [11].
| Type | Size | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| TM No. 1 [5] | 120x65x65mm | 25Ah |
| TM No. 0 [5] | 105x50x50mm | 20Ah |
| T.M.S [16] | 95x62x40mm | (not documented) |
The Combiné électromagnétique TF-PP-1A is a sound powered handset which can be clipped directly on to a line. It similar if not identical to the US TS-10. Construction des lignes téléph. en cables de campagne. Trans. IT-101 (1947) does mention the use of the TS-10 and not the TF-PP-1A, assuming the TF-PP-1A was introduced after 1947.
The TF-PP-1A:
All types of civil telephones were used in headquarters/office environments. On LB networks most commonly the french PTT standard types Modèle 1910 (Marty) and later the U43 [7] [15].
Below an unidentified desktop set, a Marty 1910 and an U43 LB set (from Air Transmissions, 1953):
Earth communication: During WWI, the French army also utilized Télégraphie par le sol (T.P.S.), a communication method that transmitted signals through the ground. The T.P.S. device—designated as TM No. 2bis or Post de T.P.S. Modèle 1918—featured a buzzer with an adjustable frequency range of 300 to 800 Hz as the transmitter and a three-valve amplified receiver [10] [11] [35] [41].
The Post de T.P.S. Modèle 1918 [10]:
Untappable: To prevent interception, such as tapping through earth currents, untappable communication was achieved by using very low DC currents with "flattened" edges. The most renowned implementation of this method was the British Fullerphone. The French adaptation during WWI, known as Le Fullerphone, was based on the original British design but also incorporated standard voice telephone components: a pluggable handset, a magneto, and a ringer. In telephony mode, the buzzer-chopper could also serve as a signaling buzzer [9] [11] [41] [44]. A new generation of French Fullerphones, the Appareil Télégraphique type TM 1932, replaced the buzzer-chopper with an electronic valve [14] [35] [44].
Le Fullerphone [11]:
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