The 1944 manual is an impressive one, containing 87 pages of information, plus 3 colorized foldouts. Many of the diagrams inside the manual are also colorized. Here are several pictures to give a good idea of the quality of production of this manual:

Here are pictures of the 3 foldouts:



Here are some parts diagrams from inside the manual:



These French manuals represent some fascinating history. They were almost certainly printed to cover operation of the last remaining Model of 1921 Thompsons that Auto-Ordnance had in inventory between 1939-1940, and sold (and delivered) to France. (Approximately 3800 of them.)
What I would like to confirm, and learn more about, is whether these are Vichy Government manuals. I believe they are, and if they are not, then they become even more intriguing based on the print dates and print locations under Nazi occupation. The manuals were printed by Charles Lavauzalle & Co., which had locations in Paris, Limoges, and Nancy in France.
The Vichy French government was what most French considered a traitorous "puppet" government that operated out of Vichy, France, and basically collaborated with the Nazis after the Fall of France in mid 1940. The government was headed by the former Supreme Commander of the French Armed Forces, Henri-Philippe Petain. Several leaders of the Vichy government were sentenced to death by the French government following the defeat of Germany in 1945. Some sentences were carried out, but Petain's was commuted to life inprisonment.
The Thompson manual was printed under the authority of Le Colonel Directeur de l'Infanterie Laffargue. If anyone knows more about Colonel Laffargue, I would be interested in learning what his official capacity was during World War II.
At least 2 different French Model of 1921 Thompson manuals exist, and there are probably 3 versions.
Here is a picture of the 1942 version:

The picture in our book may be the original 1941 version, however the qualityof the image made it impossible to read the print date at the bottom of the front page. The French manuals were issued on March 24, 1941, and have print dates of 1942 and 1944, and more than likely, 1941 also.
If anyone has more information they can supply about these manuals, or the history of French Thompsons, please reply. I'm thinking about writing an article on the subject
Thanks!
David Albert
dalbert@sturmgewehr.com