| Revision as of 17:57, 16 December 2024 editJASpencer (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers82,656 edits Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Misplaced Pages article at fr:Commandos de France; see its history for attribution | Latest revision as of 10:14, 19 December 2024 edit undoJASpencer (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers82,656 edits removed Category:French Army; added Category:Free French Forces using HotCat | ||
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| | caption = Insignia of the Commandos de France | | caption = Insignia of the Commandos de France | ||
| | dates = ]–] | | dates = ]–] | ||
| | country = |
| country = ] | ||
| | allegiance = | | allegiance = | ||
| | branch = ] | | branch = ] | ||
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| }} | }} | ||
| The '''Commandos de France''', later known as the ''' |
The '''Commandos de France''', later known as the '''3e bataillon de choc''', was a ] unit of the ] formed in May ] in ], Algeria. It was dissolved on ], ] to become the third battalion of the ] first RICAP within the 24th division. | ||
| == Formation and Designations == | == Formation and Designations == | ||
| * |
* '''May 1944''': Creation of the "Group of Commandos de France" in ]. | ||
| * |
* '''August 17, 1944''': Landed in Saint-Tropez (Var, France). A "Special Detachment" performed intelligence and harassment missions, becoming the first French troops to engage ].<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=10 February 1945 |title=Commandos de France |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1945/02/10/commandos-de-france_1861431_1819218.html |work=Le Monde |access-date=19 December 2024}}</ref> | ||
| * |
* '''January 1, 1945''': Redesignated as the third shock battalion. Together with the ], it formed the first group.<ref>The 1st Shock Battalion was renumbered "1" on January 5, 1945.</ref> | ||
| * |
* '''October 1, 1945''': The third shock battalion was dissolved to form part of the first RICAP. | ||
| == Historical Context == | == Historical Context == | ||
| The "Shock" units, established in ] in Algeria, specialized in ], commando operations, and supporting the ]. By 1945, these units were consolidated into three shock groupings, each with two battalions: | The "Shock" units, established in ] in Algeria, specialized in ], commando operations, and supporting the ]. By 1945, these units were consolidated into three shock groupings, each with two battalions: | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| ===1st Group=== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel ]: | ||
| - {{3e|bataillon}} de choc (Commandos de France) | |||
| ⚫ | * 1st Shock Battalion | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| |
* 3rd Shock Battalion (Commandos de France) | ||
| - {{4e|bataillon}} de choc (Cluny Commandos) | |||
| ===2nd Group=== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Commanded by Commander Quinche | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| |
* 2nd Shock Battalion (Janson de Sailly Battalion) | ||
| * 4th Shock Battalion (Cluny Commandos) | |||
| ===3rd Group=== | |||
| ⚫ | Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bouvet | ||
| ⚫ | * 5th Shock Battalion (Commandos of Africa) | ||
| * 6th Shock Battalion (Commandos of Provence) | |||
| == Operations and Combat History == | == Operations and Combat History == | ||
| Line 42: | Line 48: | ||
| During its operations, the unit suffered heavy casualties in battles such as: | During its operations, the unit suffered heavy casualties in battles such as: | ||
| * |
* ] (November 3, 1944): Heavy frontal assault in the Vosges. | ||
| * |
* ] (January 31, 1945): A failed attack on a well-defended German position. | ||
| The unit later advanced into Germany, participating in battles across the ] and capturing strategic locations like ] and ]. | The unit later advanced into Germany, participating in battles across the ] and capturing strategic locations like ] and ]. | ||
| Line 49: | Line 55: | ||
| === Casualties === | === Casualties === | ||
| By the end of the war: | By the end of the war: | ||
| * |
* Killed: 134 (including 25 officers) | ||
| * |
* Wounded: 293 | ||
| * |
* Missing: 21 | ||
| == Insignia |
== Insignia == | ||
| The unit's insignia featured the ], symbolizing resistance and liberty. | |||
| ⚫ | * |
||
| == Notable Commanders == | == Notable Commanders == | ||
| Line 66: | Line 72: | ||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| == Bibliography == | |||
| * Maja Destrem, ''Les commandos de France'', Fayard, 1982. {{ISBN|2-213-01169-9}} | * Maja Destrem, ''Les commandos de France'', Fayard, 1982. {{ISBN|2-213-01169-9}} | ||
| * Raymond Muelle, ''Bataillons de Choc et Commandos'', Presses de la Cité, 1997. {{ISBN|2-258-04031-0}} | * Raymond Muelle, ''Bataillons de Choc et Commandos'', Presses de la Cité, 1997. {{ISBN|2-258-04031-0}} | ||
| == External Links == | == External Links == | ||
| * | * {{in lang|fr}} | ||
| ⚫ | * by Georges de Franck and Yves de Kermoal | ||
| * | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Commandos}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Commandos}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 10:14, 19 December 2024
| Commandos de France | |
|---|---|
 Insignia of the Commandos de France | |
| Active | 1944–1945 |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Paratrooper infantry |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Henri d'Astier de La Vigerie |
The Commandos de France, later known as the 3e bataillon de choc, was a paratrooper unit of the French Army formed in May 1944 in Staoueli, Algeria. It was dissolved on October 1, 1945 to become the third battalion of the 1st Airborne Shock Infantry Regiment first RICAP within the 24th division.
Formation and Designations
- May 1944: Creation of the "Group of Commandos de France" in French Algeria.
- August 17, 1944: Landed in Saint-Tropez (Var, France). A "Special Detachment" performed intelligence and harassment missions, becoming the first French troops to engage German forces in Provence.
- January 1, 1945: Redesignated as the third shock battalion. Together with the Bataillon de Choc, it formed the first group.
- October 1, 1945: The third shock battalion was dissolved to form part of the first RICAP.
Historical Context
The "Shock" units, established in 1943 in Algeria, specialized in guerrilla warfare, commando operations, and supporting the French Resistance. By 1945, these units were consolidated into three shock groupings, each with two battalions:
1st Group
Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Fernand Gambiez:
- 1st Shock Battalion
- 3rd Shock Battalion (Commandos de France)
2nd Group
Commanded by Commander Quinche
- 2nd Shock Battalion (Janson de Sailly Battalion)
- 4th Shock Battalion (Cluny Commandos)
3rd Group
Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bouvet
- 5th Shock Battalion (Commandos of Africa)
- 6th Shock Battalion (Commandos of Provence)
Operations and Combat History
The unit was created by Henri d'Astier de La Vigerie, Louis Vallon, and René Cerf-Ferrière to assist the Maquis. Initially modeled on the Commandos d'Afrique, they trained in Staoueli for infiltration, sabotage, and surprise attacks.
After a delayed deployment to France due to American resistance, a Special Detachment led by Henri d'Astier de La Vigerie clandestinely sailed to Saint-Tropez, participating in early engagements at Les Pennes-Mirabeau before joining the main unit.
During its operations, the unit suffered heavy casualties in battles such as:
- Haut du Tôt (November 3, 1944): Heavy frontal assault in the Vosges.
- Durrenentzen (January 31, 1945): A failed attack on a well-defended German position.
The unit later advanced into Germany, participating in battles across the Black Forest and capturing strategic locations like Karlsruhe and Pforzheim.
Casualties
By the end of the war:
- Killed: 134 (including 25 officers)
- Wounded: 293
- Missing: 21
Insignia
The unit's insignia featured the Cross of Lorraine, symbolizing resistance and liberty.
Notable Commanders
- Lieutenant Colonel Fernand Gambiez
- Commander Louis Vallon
- Commander Henri d'Astier de La Vigerie
Legacy
The Commandos de France were awarded the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 with a palm for their exceptional service.
References
- "Commandos de France". Le Monde. 10 February 1945. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- The 1st Shock Battalion was renumbered "1" on January 5, 1945.
- Journal Officiel, July 23, 1946.
Bibliography
- Maja Destrem, Les commandos de France, Fayard, 1982. ISBN 2-213-01169-9
- Raymond Muelle, Bataillons de Choc et Commandos, Presses de la Cité, 1997. ISBN 2-258-04031-0
External Links
- Site dedicated to the shock units of the French Army (in French)
- Marche des commandos by Georges de Franck and Yves de Kermoal