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Field armies in the First World War
Divisions in the First World War
Divisions in the Second World War
Regiments

This is a listing of French divisions that served between 1939 and 1945.


Cavalry, mechanized and armoured divisions

Light cavalry divisions (DLC, Division Légère de Cavalerie)

Laffly truck used by motorized forces
AMR 35 light tanks

Part horse and part motorized; were part of the cavalry arm in 1940. The cavalry divisions (DC) were renamed light divisions (DL) in February 1940 and then light cavalry divisions (DLC) in March 1940.[1]

They were supplied with Renault AMR 33s more so than 35s and Hotchkiss H35s.

Light mechanized divisions (DLM, Divisions Légères Mécaniques)

Division légère mécaniques were part of the cavalry arm in 1940. Entirely armoured and motorized. Supplied with Renault AMR 35s and Somua S35s.

Armoured divisions (DCr, Divisions Cuirassées)

Part of the infantry arm in 1940. Entirely armoured and motorized, equipped with 2 battalions of Char B1 bis and 2 battalions of Hotchkiss H39 tanks designed to support infantry operations.

Armoured divisions
Formation name Date created Location created Date formation ceased to exist Divisional insignia Subordinated to Notable campaigns Final command post at Notes Source(s)
1st Armoured Division 16 January 1940 Châlons-sur-Marne 22 June 1940 XI Army Corps, Ninth Army (Jan. 16 to May 17), Sixth Army (June 1–25) Battle of the Meuse, Battle of the North, Battle of the Somme and Retreat of the Center Le Dognon, northeast of Limoges. Missing half of its motorcycles and artillery caissons on 10 May 1940. Division took serious losses by May 17. Reformed from 18 May until 1 June. [14]
2nd Armoured Division 16 January 1940 Haute Moivre July 1940 I Corps, Seventh Army until 29 May. Then, various, including Tenth Army, VII, IX and X Corps, British 51st (Highland) Division and Groupement Cuirassée. Battle of the Meuse, Fronts of the Aisne and the Somme, Somme Front, Battle of the Somme and Retreat of the Center Saint-Pierre Cherignat, northeast of Limoges. Division subsequently disbanded. [15]
3rd Armoured Division 20 March 1940 Reims 18 June 1940 XXI Corps, Second Army until 23 May. Then, various, including Fourth Army and XVIII Corps of 2nd Army. Battle of the Meuse, Meuse Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the Center Montbard, northwest of Dijon. Division captured 17–18 June. [16]
4th Armoured Division 15 May 1940 Le Vésinet 19 July 1940 Aisne Front, Somme Front, Battle of the Somme, Retreat of the Left Wing Cussac, southwest of Limoges. Initial commander was Charles de Gaulle. Tanks included B1 bis, D2 and R35s. [17]

Infantry and mountain divisions

Infantry divisions in the French Army fell into three "series"— active, A and B. Series A included higher-quality reserve units. Most of active units had 2/3 of their authorized strength in peace time. At mobilization, all active units were to be brought up to full strength with designated reserve units. Series A units would be created from both active and reserve personals while series B units would only have a limited active component, around 20%.

The divisions were also designated by "type", of which there were Northeast, Overseas and Mountain. The type designation determined numbers and kinds of equipment and weapons allocation.

North African Forces 1940

French troops in Paris, 1940

Division types included Moroccan divisions (DM), north African divisions (DINA and DLINA) and African divisions (DIA).

Moroccan divisions
Formation name Date created Date formation ceased to exist Subordinated to Notable campaigns Final command post at Notes Source(s)
1st Moroccan Division 27 October 1939 12 June 1940 Numerous, including the Colonial Corps, IV Corps, V Corps, Cavalry Corps and XVI Corps. Battle of the Dyle and Battle of the North Almenêches-Saint-Pierre Active division at the start of the war, mobilized 2 September 1939 in Meknes, Morocco. Transported via rail and sea to Marseille and re-equipped as Type Northeast division by 8 November. Evacuated from Dunkirk on 1 June and returned to France by 6 June, where the division's remnants reorganized and became part of the 1st DLINA on 12 June. [18]
2nd Moroccan Division Inactivated 10 September 1939 in Morocco.[clarification needed] [19]
3rd Moroccan Division [fr] 1939 1 May 1940 In Morocco during 1940 campaign. Elements later assigned to the Fez and Casablanca divisions in the Army of Transition.[20] [19]

Colonial units

Overseas units

Polish expatriate divisions in 1940 (DIP)

French: Division d'infanterie polonaise. Reconstituted Polish Army divisions formed from Polish expatriates in France.

Polish infantry divisions
Formation name Date created Location created Date formation ceased to exist Divisional insignia Subordinated to Notable campaigns Final command post at Notes Source(s)
1st Polish Infantry Division October 1939 (from the Alpine (High Mountains) Brigade) Camp de Coëtquidan, in Guer 21 June 1940. Division disbanded and dispersed in Lorraine by divisional commander's orders that day. Second Army and XX Corps, Third Army Lorraine Front and Retreat of the Right Wing Hurbache Division given contradictory orders by the French XX Corps commanding general (remain in position) and the Polish government-in-exile on 19 June 1940 (place division under British authority or Swiss internment). [47]
2nd Polish Infantry Division March 1940 Saint-Loup sur Thouet 20 June 1940. Following Polish government-in-exile's orders, most of the division (12,000 troops)[48] crossed the Swiss frontier on 20 June and was interned. Second Army Group, Third Army and XLV Fortress Corps, 8th Army Retreat of the Right Wing Indevillers Division was missing its 47-mm antitank company. The division was moved to the front lines from 20–22 May. Three battalions of the division were taken POW by the Germans. [49]

Motorized and infantry divisions

Division types included infantry and mountain divisions (DI - no special abbreviation for mountain divisions), motorized divisions (DIM) and fortress divisions (DIF).

Light Chasseurs Divisions (DLCh)

The Chasseurs divisions were organized in April 1940 and were intended for use in Norway.[115]

Light Chasseurs divisions
Formation name Date created Location created Date formation ceased to exist Subordinated to Notable campaigns Final command post at Notes Source(s)
1st Light Chasseurs Division 15 April 1940 (from the Alpine (High Mountains) Brigade) Brest 22 June 1940 French Scandinavian Expeditionary Corps and Commander of the Brittany Defense Line Norway and western France. Division landed in Norway on 19 April 1940 and evacuated Norway from 3–7 June 1940. Elements landed briefly in Brittany and fought in SW Normandy, then embarked for Great Britain. Casablanca Some 1,200 men volunteered for service with the Free French while in UK. Remainder were shipped to Morocco in July. Some remained in French North Africa while others repatriated to France by 4 August 1940. [116]
2nd Light Chasseurs Division 18 April 1940 Brest 31 May 1940 (renamed as the 40th Infantry Division) French Scandinavian Expeditionary Corps and Reserve of the High Command None Morain-Villiers Intended for use in Norway and shipped to Scotland before being returned to Brest by 19 May 1940. [117]

Light Infantry Divisions (DLI)

Most formed in May or June 1940. The light divisions had only two infantry regiments and were missing much equipment.[118]

Provisional divisions formed from fortified sectors

Vichy French divisions

Vichy French divisions in France, 1940–42 (DM)

See also: Vichy French Military Division order of battle
Organization of French Vichy forces in Metropolitan France in 1941[136][137]

Also known as "the New Army;" or the Armistice Army. The terms of the Armistice of 22 June 1940 ensured the forces of Vichy France forces had only limited artillery and armored vehicles. Each division had three infantry regiments, a reconnaissance regiment of two battalions and an artillery regiment. When the Allies landed in north Africa, the Germans invaded Vichy France and the leadership of the Vichy French forces told the army to remain in its barracks rather than be massacred in the field. The Vichy Army was then disbanded by the Germans, although they authorized formation of one unit (1st Regiment of France) in early 1943. After the Allies landed in southern France, the 1st Regiment of France joined the Allied forces and formed the basis of several independent regiments which served in the 1944-45 campaign.[138] Certain regiments of Vichy forces, carrying the numbers of 1940 units, were recreated in 1944-45 as part of the Army of Liberation.

Vichy French divisions in north Africa, 1941

AKA "The Army of Transition"
French headquarters after 8 November 1942:

Divisions:

Divisions of Free France, the Tunisian Campaign and the Army of Liberation

Free French divisions

These two divisions were Gaullist formations that, while excellent performers in combat, had friction operating with other units of the French Army that they considered to have been tainted by affiliation with the Vichy regime. They were also treated as a special reserve by De Gaulle, who, at times, assigned them to military and political tasks in various areas of France to the frustration of General de Lattre, the 1st Army commander from 1944–1945.

The 2nd DB parades in Paris, 1944

March divisions in the Tunisian Campaign

The March divisions ("March" means provisional organizations without a formal tradition) were formed from French forces stationed in North Africa in November 1942, took part in the Tunisian Campaign and were all disbanded in mid-1943. The troops from these divisions were then used to form the 2nd DIM, 3rd DIA, 4th DMM, 9th DIC, 1st DB and 5th DB, all of which fought on the European continent until V-E Day.

French North African divisions formed after the Tunisian Campaign

Moroccan troops in Italy, December 1943

Divisions formed in France 1944–45

Organized with liberated manpower in 1944–45 and often assigned designations that had belonged to divisions in 1940. The two DCEO divisions were intended for use in Indochina to reassert French authority after the defeat of Japan.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ Sumner 1998, vol. 1, p. 14..
  2. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 311-321.
  3. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 324-347.
  4. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 349-373.
  5. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 375-380.
  6. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 381-392.
  7. ^ a b c Sumner 1998, vol. 1, p. 9..
  8. ^ GUF, Vol. 4, p. 385.
  9. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 393-412.
  10. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 413-426.
  11. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 427-440.
  12. ^ GUF, Vol. 2, pp 441-448.
  13. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 449-456.
  14. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 458-475.
  15. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 477-496.
  16. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 497-506.
  17. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 507-524.
  18. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 965-975.
  19. ^ a b Sumner 1998, vol. 2, p. 9..
  20. ^ a b c d Gaujac 1984, vol. 1, pp. 66-67.
  21. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 853-864.
  22. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 865-870.
  23. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 871-881.
  24. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 883-900.
  25. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 901-912.
  26. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 913-926.
  27. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 927-938.
  28. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 939-964.
  29. ^ a b c d e Gaujac 1984, vol. 1, pp. 62-63.
  30. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 141-148.
  31. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 149-160.
  32. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 161-174.
  33. ^ Gaujac 1984, vol. 1, pp. 19-21.
  34. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 175-192.
  35. ^ 2nd DIC page at stonebooks.com
  36. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 7-22.
  37. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 23-34.
  38. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 35-42.
  39. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 43-56.
  40. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 57-70.
  41. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 71-84.
  42. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 85-100.
  43. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 101-122.
  44. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 123-128.
  45. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 129-140.
  46. ^ a b Gaujac 1984, vol. 1, pp. 24-26.
  47. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 293-300.
  48. ^ "Background"
  49. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 301-310.
  50. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 7-18.
  51. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 19-32.
  52. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 33-44.
  53. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 45-56.
  54. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 57-64.
  55. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 65-76.
  56. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 77-96.
  57. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 97-112.
  58. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 113-126.
  59. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 127-140.
  60. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 141-162.
  61. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 163-172.
  62. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 173-186.
  63. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 187-202.
  64. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 203-212.
  65. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 213-226.
  66. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 227-231.
  67. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 233-242.
  68. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 243-256.
  69. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 257-268.
  70. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 269-286.
  71. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 287-295.
  72. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 296-316.
  73. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 317-336.
  74. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 337-346.
  75. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 347-360.
  76. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 361-380.
  77. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 381-404.
  78. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 405-426.
  79. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 427-442.
  80. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 443-454.
  81. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 455-466.
  82. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 467-478.
  83. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 479-496.
  84. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 497-504.
  85. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 505-512.
  86. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 513-528.
  87. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 529-542.
  88. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 543-556.
  89. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 557-568.
  90. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 569-584.
  91. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 585-596.
  92. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 597-612.
  93. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 613-624.
  94. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 625-634.
  95. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 635-644.
  96. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 645-658.
  97. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 659-674.
  98. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 675-688.
  99. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 689-698.
  100. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 699-708.
  101. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 709-722.
  102. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 723-736.
  103. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 737-748.
  104. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 749-764.
  105. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 765-774.
  106. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 775-790.
  107. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 791-802.
  108. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 803-814.
  109. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 815-824.
  110. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 607-618.
  111. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 621-629.
  112. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 777-788.
  113. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 797-804.
  114. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 813-822.
  115. ^ Nafziger, pp. 56-57.
  116. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 827-844.
  117. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 2, pp. 845-852.
  118. ^ Nafziger, p. 66 and pp. 70-74.
  119. ^ GUF Vol. 3, pp. 193-196.
  120. ^ GUF Vol. 3, pp. 197-208.
  121. ^ GUF Vol. 3, pp. 209-216.
  122. ^ GUF Vol. 3, pp. 217-224.
  123. ^ GUF Vol. 3, pp. 225-230.
  124. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 231-240.
  125. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 241-254.
  126. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 255-262.
  127. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 263-274.
  128. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 275-280.
  129. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 281-292.
  130. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 641-644.
  131. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 673-675.
  132. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 729-733.
  133. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 660-662.
  134. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 3, pp. 765-768.
  135. ^ GUF, Vol. 3, p. 747.
  136. ^ Nafziger, George. "Vichy French Forces in France 1 March 1941" (PDF). United States Army Combined Arms Center. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  137. ^ Sumner 1998, vol. 1, p. 38.
  138. ^ Sumner 1998, vol. 2, pp. 44-45..
  139. ^ Gaujac 1984, vol. 1, pp. 54-55.
  140. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 4, pp. 21-74.
  141. ^ GUF, Vol. 4, p. 137.
  142. ^ GUF, Vol. 4, p. 205 and Sumner, Vol. 1, p. 38.
  143. ^ Gaujac 1984, vol. 1, pp. 78-79.
  144. ^ GUF, Vol. 4, p. 333.
  145. ^ GUF, Vol. 4, p. 291.
  146. ^ www.francaislibres.net
  147. ^ GUF, Vol. 4, pp. 349-360 and 955-984.
  148. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 5-2, pp. 15-139.
  149. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 5-2, pp. 968-1164.
  150. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 4, pp. 133-200.
  151. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 4, pp. 201-268.
  152. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 4, pp. 287-330.
  153. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 4, pp. 331-348.
  154. ^ Gaujac, Vol. 1, p. 174; GUF, Vol. 4, p. 267.
  155. ^ a b c d e f Gaujac 1984, vol. 1, p. 174.
  156. ^ a b c d e f Gaujac 1984, vol. 1, pp. 174-175.
  157. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 4, pp. 555-740.
  158. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 5-2, pp. 141-548.
  159. ^ Vernet, p. 117.
  160. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 4, pp. 741-862.
  161. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 5-1, pp. 15-504.
  162. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 4, pp. 863-954.
  163. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 5-1, pp. 505-640.
  164. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 4, pp. 453-470.
  165. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 5-1, pp. 641-818.
  166. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 5-2, pp. 787-966.
  167. ^ Vernet, p. 19.
  168. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 5-2, pp. 1167-1422.
  169. ^ stonebooks.com
  170. ^ Stone & Stone
  171. ^ Vernet, p. 86.
  172. ^ Sumner 1998, vol. 2, p. 36..
  173. ^ L'Armée française dans la guerre d'Indochine (1946-1954): adaption ou inadaption?, p. 138, Marcel Vaïsse and Alain Bizard, Bruxelles: Éd. Complexe, 2000.
  174. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 5-2, pp. 549-698.
  175. ^ Stone & Stone
  176. ^ GUF 1967, Vol. 5-2, pp. 699-785.
  177. ^ Stone & Stone
  178. ^ Fifteenth Army, pp. 25-33.
  179. ^ a b c d e f g Sumner 1998, vol. 2, p. 36.
  180. ^ Stone & Stone
  181. ^ Vernet, p. 86.

References

External links

Divisions of the French Army
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