3rd Colonial Infantry Division (France)

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A regiment of the 3rd Colonial Infantry Division during the Bastille Day 1936 military parade in Paris.

The 3rd Colonial Infantry Division (French: 3e Division d'Infanterie Coloniale, 3e DIC) was a division of the French Marine Forces, comprising mostly French citizen troops.

The 3rd Colonial Infantry Division fought in the First and Second world wars.

World War I

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Composition

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As part of the French 1st Colonial Corps (French: 1er corps d'armée colonial, 1er CAC), at various times it was part of the French First Army, French Second Army, French Third Army, French Fourth Army, French Fifth Army, French Sixth Army, French Seventh Army, French Eighth Army and French Tenth Army.

Engagements

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1914: The division fought in the Battle of the Ardennes (where it lost roughly 11,000 men out of a contingent of 15,000), the Battle of the Meuse, the First Battle of the Marne and the First Battle of Champagne. 1915: Many small engagements, plus the Second Battle of Champagne. 1916: The Battle of the Somme (twice). 1917: The Second Battle of the Aisne, and many small engagements. 1918: The Third Battle of the Aisne, the 4th Battle of Champagne, the Second Battle of the Marne, and many minor engagements until the end of the war.

Organization in World War II

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The structure of the division in World War II as of May 1940, commanded by Général Falvy, was considerably more detailed than standard operational overviews, including specific logistical and technical support units.[1]

The division was initially rated as **Réserve A** (Reserve A).

Divisional and Attached Units

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  • Chief of Staff, 3rd Colonial Infantry Division
    • Infanterie (Infantry)
      • 21st Régiment d'Infanterie Coloniale (21st Colonial Infantry Regiment)
      • 23rd Régiment d'Infanterie Coloniale (23rd Colonial Infantry Regiment)
      • 13th Compagnie de Pionniers, 1st Régiment d'Infanterie Coloniale (13th Pioneer Company, 1st Colonial Infantry Regiment)
    • Artillerie (Artillery)
      • 3rd Régiment d'Artillerie Coloniale (3rd Colonial Artillery Regiment)
      • 203rd Régiment d'Artillerie Lourde Coloniale (203rd Heavy Colonial Artillery Regiment)
      • 10th Batterie Anti-Chars, 3rd Régiment d'Artillerie Coloniale (10th Anti-Tank Battery, 3rd Colonial Artillery Regiment)
    • Reconnaissance (Reconnaissance)
      • 73rd Groupement de Reconnaissance de Division d'Infanterie (Cavalerie) (73rd Infantry Division Reconnaissance Group (Cavalry))

Logistical and Technical Support (*Troupes de Soutien*)

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The division included a dedicated logistical and engineering tail, with all units numbered 73:

  • 73rd Parc d'Artillerie (73rd Artillery Park)
    • 73rd Compagnie d'Artisans (73rd Artisan Company)
    • 73rd Section de Munitions Hippomobile (73rd Horse Drawn Munitions Section)
  • Génie (Engineers & Signals)
    • 73/1 Compagnie de Sapeurs-Mineurs (73/1 Sapper-Miner Company)
    • 73/2 Compagnie de Sapeurs-Mineurs (73/2 Sapper-Miner Company)
    • 73/81 Compagnie Télégraphique (73/81 Telegraph Company)
    • 73/82 Compagnie Radio (73/82 Radio Company)
  • Train (Transport)
    • 73/22 Compagnie de Transport Hippomobile (73/22 Horse Transportation Company)
    • 173/22 Compagnie de Transport Motorisé (173/22 Motor Transportation Company)
  • Support (*Soutien*)
    • 73/22 Groupe d'Exploitation Divisionnaire (73/22 Divisional Operating Service Group)
    • 73rd Centre d'Instruction Divisionnaire (73rd Divisional Instruction Center)

Attached Units (*Unités Attachées*)

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  • 2/155th Régiment d'Infanterie de Forteresse (2/155th Fortress Infantry Regiment)
  • 3/, 4/155th Régiment d'Infanterie de Forteresse (3/, 4/155th Fortress Infantry Regiment)
  • 2/, 3/311th Régiment d'Artillerie (75mm P) (2/, 3/311th Artillery Regiment (75mm P))

State of Readiness (May 1940)

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Despite its full establishment, the 3e DIC faced significant readiness issues at the onset of the battle:[2]

  • The division was 20% under strength on May 10, 1940.
  • It lacked supply trucks and transport/horse assets.
  • The 73/22 Compagnie de Transport Hippomobile (Horse Drawn Train Company) had almost completely dissolved.
  • The division lacked a divisional anti-tank company, though its anti-tank formations were otherwise complete.
  1. ^ "French Army 10 May 1940". U.S. Army Combined Arms Research Library Digital Library. p. 29.
  2. ^ "French Army 10 May 1940". U.S. Army Combined Arms Research Library Digital Library. p. 29.

See also

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References

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