1st Colonial Infantry Division | |
---|---|
Active | before 1906 - July 1914 July 1927 - June 1940 |
Country | France |
Allegiance | France |
Branch | French Army |
Type | Infantry Division |
Role | Infantry |
Engagements | Battle of France |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Henri-Nicolas Frey |
The 1st Colonial Infantry Division (French : 1e Division d'Infanterie Coloniale, 1e DIC) was a French Army formation prior to World War I and during World War II.
Prior to the start of World War I, the division was composed of: [1]
However, in the re-organisation immediately prior to World War I, the division was disbanded, with the 5th and 6th Colonial Infantry Regiments going to the French 14th Corps, and the 21st and 23rd Colonial Infantry Regiments going to the French 1st Colonial Corps. [2]
On 1 November 1927, the 1st Senegalese Colonial Infantry Division was recreated by transformation of the 35th infantry division.
It was stationed in Bordeaux, and later renamed 1st Colonial Infantry Division.
It was an active division which existed during peacetime. The Senegalese Tirailleurs Regiments contained troops from French West Africa. The Colonial Infantry and Artillery Regiments were made up of French troops who had volunteered to serve overseas if needed.
During the Battle of France in May 1940 the division was made up of the following units:
The Division was disbanded after the capitulation of the French Army in June 1940.
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