38th Infantry Division (France)

Last updated

38th Infantry Division
CountryFrance
Branch French Army
Type Infantry
Size Division
Engagements

38th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the French Army active during the First World War.

Contents

The 38th Division was formed in August 1914 from personnel from North Africa within the 19th Military Region; The division consisted primarily of tirailleurs and Zouaves (both types of light infantry).

Of particular note is that the 4e brigade marocaine was a part of the Division for a large part of WW1. It was formed around two infantry regiments. The Régiment d'infanterie coloniale du Maroc is the most decorated unit of the French Army. Not to be outdone, the 4e régiment mixte de zouaves et tirailleurs (4e RMZT) gained a reputation as an elite formation, too. It distinguished itself during the First World War, notably during the recapture of Fort Douaumont on 24 October 1916 and the battle of La Malmaison on 23 October 1917. The unit was cited six times in the orders of the Army during the war, and consequently received the red Fourragère on 9 November 1918. Its flag was decorated with the Légion d'honneur on 13 July 1919.

The Division is noted for its role in the first and second offensive stages of the fighting at Verdun during October and December 1916. It captured the Fort de la Malmaison during the battle of the same name on 23 October 1917.

Commanders

Chain of Command

Source: [2]

FromToArmy
13 August 191427 October 1914 5th Army (France)
27 October 191416 November 1914DAB [a]
16 November 191431 December 1914 8th Army (France)
31 December 191417 January 1915 2nd Army (France)
17 January 19157 April 1915GPN [b]
7 April 191522 May 1915DAB [a]
22 May 191513 June 1915GPN [b]
13 June 191510 May 1916GAN [c]
10 May 191625 May 1916 6th Army (France)
25 May 191622 January 19172nd Army (France)
22 January 191724 January 1917 4th Army (France)
24 January 19173 February 19175th Army (France)
3 February 191729 July 19176th Army (France)
29 July 191720 August 1917 3rd Army (France)
20 August 19176 November 19176th Army (France)
6 November 191712 December 19175th Army (France)
12 December 19179 February 19184th Army (France)
9 February 191820 March 19185th Army (France)
20 March 191827 March 19186th Army (France)
27 March 191812 April 19183rd Army (France)
12 April 19182 May 19184th Army (France)
2 May 19187 May 19186th Army (France)
7 May 191811 June 19183rd Army (France)
11 June 19182 August 1918 10th Army (France)
2 August 191811 August 19183rd Army (France)
11 August 191830 August 191810th Army (France)
30 August 191816 September 19183rd Army (France)
16 September 191811 November 1918 7th Army (France)

Composition

1914

August 1914

1er régiment de marche de zouaves [3]
1er Régiment de Marche de Tirailleurs [3]
4e régiment de marche de zouaves [3]
4e régiment de marche de tirailleurs tunisiens [3]
8e régiment de marche de tirailleurs tunisiens [3]

1915

End of July 1915

1er régiment de marche de zouaves, no change [3]
4e régiment de marche de zouaves, no change [3]
8e régiment de marche de tirailleurs tunisiens, no change [3]

1916

As of 1 January 1916

4e régiment de marche de zouaves, no change [3]
8e régiment de marche de tirailleurs tunisiens, no change [3]
4e régiment mixte de zouaves et tirailleurs [3]
Régiment d'infanterie coloniale du Maroc (RICM) [3]

1918

End of September 1918

Chronology

1914

Zouave uniform for the early part of WW1 Zouave 1914.jpg
Zouave uniform for the early part of WW1

2 August, 1914 : mobilized partly in Algeria, partly in France. [d] 4 – 18 August : transported by sea and then by rail; all units were concentrated in the Chimay region. 18 – 24 August : moved, via Froidchapelle and Walcourt, towards the Sambre. 22 August 22 : engaged in the Battle of Charleroi  : fighting towards Châtelet and Somzée. 24 August – 6 September : retreated, via Sains-Richaumont, towards the Chevresis-Monceau region. [5] 29 August : engaged in the Battle of Guise  : fighting, towards Ribemont and Villers-le-Sec, Meuse. [6] From 30 August, retreated, via Chavonne, Trélou-sur-Marne and Montmirail, Marne, to the north of Provins. [7] 6 – 14 September : engaged in the First Battle of the Marne. [8] 6 – 19 September : Battle of the Two Morins (in the 2nd line from the 6th to the 8th, [9] then in the 1st line on the 9th). [10] From 10 September, continued via Château-Thierry and Fismes, up to the Chemin des Dames, north of Paissy. [11] 14 September – 26 October : engaged in the First Battle of the Aisne (in liaison with the British army): fighting towards the Hurtebise and Creute farms; stabilization of the front and occupied a sector towards the Hurtebise farm and the road from Paissy to Ailles. 12 October : French attacks towards the Creute farm. [12]

26 – 29 October : withdrew from the front line; transported by rail, from the Fismes region [13] to that of Calais, then transported by trucks to that of Furnes, Belgium. [14] 29 October – 9 December : moved to the front line. Engaged in the Battle of the Yser: repeated violent fighting towards Luyghem, Poesele, Bikschote and the Passeur house; then stabilisation of the front, and occupied of a sector on the Yser, towards the Knokke bridge and the Passeur house. [15] From 4 December, French attacks on the Passeur's house. 9 – 25 December : moved (in parallel with the front - fr:Rocade (militaire)) and occupied a new sector towards Verbranden-Molen and the castle 1 km west of Hollebeke. 14 December : French attacks. [12]

1915

A group of Zouaves photographed at Nieuwpoort in April 1915. Their khaki battledress is less ornate than the parade dress worn at the start of the war. Portrait d'un groupe de zouaves sur une place - Nieuport-Bains - Mediatheque de l'architecture et du patrimoine - APD0000061A.jpg
A group of Zouaves photographed at Nieuwpoort in April 1915. Their khaki battledress is less ornate than the parade dress worn at the start of the war.

25 December 1914 – 2 February 1915 : withdrew from the front line and moved in stages to the Cassel, Nord region. [16] 31 December : transported by rail to the southwest of Montdidier, Somme: rest and refresher training. 17 January : transported by rail to Dunkirk region; rest in the Hondschoote region. 31 January : moved to Coxyde (Koksijde). 2 February 1915 – 20 April 1916 : moved to the front line and occupied a sector towards Nieuwpoort, Belgium. [17] 23 April - 6 May : elements engaged towards Steenstrate and Lizerne . 9 May : German attack at Nieuwpoort. [18]

1916

20 April – 30 May : withdrew from the front line to Bergues; rest and refresher training. 10 May : transported by truck to the training camp at Crèvecœur-le-Grand;refresher training. 25 May : transported by rail to Laheycourt, then moved to Vaubecourt: rest. 30 May – 22 June : moved towards the front line. 12 June : engaged in the Battle of Verdun, towards Hill 304 and the eastern edge of the Avocourt woods. 22 June – 12 July : withdrew from the front line; rest in the Fleury-sur-Aire, Jubécourt region. 12 – 27 July : moved to the front line, engaged again in the Battle of Verdun; occupied a sector towards Hill 304 and the eastern edge of the Avocourt wood. 27 July – 3 August : withdrew from the front line to Revigny; rest. 3 – 21 August : moved to the front line, occupied a sector towards the Thiaumont fortification and the Vaux wood: fighting from the 17th to the 21st August (Battle of Verdun). 21 August – 21 October : withdrew from the front line; rest and refresher training at the Tannois camp . 21 – 31 October : transported by trucks to Verdun . From the 23rd, occupied a sector towards the Haudromont woods and the Thiaumont fortification. 24 October : engaged in the 1st Verdun Offensive : capture of Fort Douaumont, then occupation and organisation of the captured positions towards the Bois d'Haudromont and Fort Douaumont. [19] [20] [21] 31 October – 10 December : withdrew from the front; rest in the Tannois, Stainville region. 10 – 20 December : transported by trucks to Verdun. 14 December : occupied a sector towards the Haudromont woods and the village of Douaumont (excluded) 15 December : engaged again in the 1st Verdun Offensive: capture of Louvemont; [22] on the 18th, capture of the Chambrettes farm; then occupation and organisation of the captured positions. [19] [23] [24] 20 December 1916 – 16 January 1917 : withdrew from the front line to the Ligny-en-Barrois, Gondrecourt-le-Château region; rest and refresher training. [25]

1917

The flag of the Regiment d'infanterie colonial du Maroc, surrounded by marsouins from the unit. Taken on 1 August 1917 at Candor, Oise, France. Le drapeau du Regiment colonial du Maroc decore - Legion d'Honneur, medaille militaire, Croix de guerre, quatre palmes - Candor - Mediatheque de l'architecture et du patrimoine - APD0004669.jpg
The flag of the Régiment d'infanterie colonial du Maroc, surrounded by marsouins from the unit. Taken on 1 August 1917 at Candor, Oise, France.
General Petain decorates the flag of the 4e regiment mixte de zouaves et de tirailleurs. Taken on 17 August 1917 at Candor, Oise, France. Le general Petain decore le drapeau du 4eme Regiment de tirailleurs marocains - Candor - Mediatheque de l'architecture et du patrimoine - APD0004654.jpg
General Pétain decorates the flag of the 4e régiment mixte de zouaves et de tirailleurs. Taken on 17 August 1917 at Candor, Oise, France.

16 January – 15 April : moved, via Mailly-le-Camp and Montmirail, Marne, to Nogent-l'Artaud; rest and refresher training. 27 March : moved in stages towards Château-Thierry, then Coulonges and Bazoches. 2 - 14 April : elements in the sector towards the Chemin des Dames . 15 – 29 April : took up a position north of the Aisne (river), towards Jumigny. From 16 April : engaged in the Second Battle of the Aisne: capture of enemy positions south of Chermizy-Ailles; [26] then organisation of the captured terrain towards the Hurtebise farm (near Craonne) and the road from Paissy to Ailles. [19] [27] 25 April : violent German attack and French counter-attack. [28] 29 April – 7 July : withdrew from the front line to Fismes (elements in sector at Chemin des Dames); rest and refresher training. 7 July – 20 August : grouping in the Belleau, Aisne region and from 29 July, transported by truck to the Lassigny camp; rest and refresher training. 20 August – 18 September : transported by trucks to Vailly-sur-Aisne; then occupied a sector towards the Pantheon and the north of the Colombe farm. 18 September – 20 October : withdrew from the front line to Ecury; rest and refresher training. 20 – 31 October  : occupied a sector between the north of the Colombe farm and the west of the Pantheon. [29] From 23 October, engaged in the Battle of La Malmaison: attack and capture of the fort of Malmaison, then organisation of the captured positions towards Pargny-Filain and Chavignon. [19] [30] 31 October – 12 December : withdrew from the front line; transported by trucks to Crézancy, then moved in stages to Avize and Vertus; rest and refresher training. 12 December 1917 – 1 February 1918 : moved towards Tours-sur-Marne and Mourmelon-le-Grand; employed on working parties. [31]

1918

1 February – 25 March : moved to the Vertus region; rest and refresher training (elements maintained at 2nd position on working parties until 9 February). 25 February - 25 March : moved to the Damery, Marne region; rest and refresher training. 25 March –April 3 : moved to Mareuil-le-Port; on the 26th, transported by truck to Ressons-sur-Matz. [32] From 27 March : engaged in the 2nd battle of Picardy during Operation Michael. [33] 28, 29 and 31 March : resistance to the German offensive towards Orvillers-Sorel. [34] 3 April – 8 May : withdrew from the front line to Gournay-sur-Aronde; rest and working parties. 10 April : grouping between Pont-Sainte-Maxence and Estrées-Saint-Denis. 12 April : transported by truck to Tours-sur-Marne and Aÿ; rest and refresher training. 1 May : moved in stages towards Tracy-le-Mont and Offémont. 8 May – June 11 : occupied a sector towards Sempigny and Varesnes. Engaged in the Third Battle of the Aisne, retreated to Mont de Choisy, situated to the north east of Caisnes. 30 May and 5 June : violent German attacks towards Mont de Choisy. [35] 11 June – 14 July : withdrew, then occupied and defended a sector towards Tracy-le-Val and Bailly. [36] 14 – 23 July : ring road moved, and, from the 15th, occupied a sector towards the Chavigny farm and Saint-Pierre-Aigle. From 18 July, engaged, towards Longpont and the Chavigny farm, in the Second Battle of the Marne (Battle of Soissons (1918)): combats of Longpont and Tigny, progression to Hartennes. [37] Undertook the attacks on 18 and 19 July in concert with the 2nd Infantry Division (United States). [38] 23 July – 4 August : withdrew from the front line, its positions were relieved by the 34th Division (United Kingdom). [39] Regrouped at Vez, Oise, then moved towards Cuise-la-Motte and Trosly-Breuil; rest. 4 August – 6 September : occupied a sector towards Bailly, Oise and the Saint-Mard woods. 19 - 29 August : engaged in the Carlepont region to the north of the Oise river, between Noyon and Pontoise-lès-Noyon. 29 August - 6 September : organisation of the positions conquered in this region. [19] [40] 6 – 15 September : withdrew from the front line, moved to Chevrières, Oise; rest and refresher training. [41]

15 September – 2 November : transported by rail to Montbéliard. From 22 September, occupied a sector in Oberelsaß (Haut Alsace), between Fulleren and Burnhaupt-le-Bas, moved to the right, 12 October, between Fulleren and the Swiss border. 2 – 11 November : moved to Héricourt, Haute-Saône, then, from the 5th, to Épinal, via Ronchamp, Luxeuil-les-Bains, Plombières-les-Bains, Remiremont and Arches, Vosges. [41]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tirailleur</span> Indigenous infantry recruited in the French colonial territories

A tirailleur, in the Napoleonic era, was a type of light infantry trained to skirmish ahead of the main columns. Later, the term "tirailleur" was used by the French Army as a designation for indigenous infantry recruited in the French colonial territories during the 19th and 20th centuries, or for metropolitan units serving in a light infantry role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Army of Africa (France)</span> Term for portions of French Army in French North Africa

The Army of Africa was an unofficial but commonly used term for those portions of the French Army stationed in French North Africa from 1830 until the end of the Algerian War in 1962, including units made up of indigenous recruits.

The 72nd Infantry Division was a French Army formation during World War I.

The 19th Army Corps was a corps of the French army. In December 1870, the Tours delegation created the 19th Army Corps which was formed in Alençon. It was recreated by decree of the JO of August 13, 1874, it brought together the various military units of Algeria. It constituted the nucleus of the Army of Africa.

The Armée d'Orient (AO) was a field army of the French Army during World War I who fought on the Macedonian front.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Spahi Regiment</span> Military unit

The 1st Spahi Regiment is an armored regiment of the modern French Army, previously called the 1st Moroccan Spahi Regiment. It was established in 1914 as a mounted cavalry unit recruited primarily from indigenous Moroccan horsemen. The regiment saw service in the First World War, and in the Second World War as part of the Forces Françaises Libres, as well as post-war service in the French-Indochina War and elsewhere. The modern regiment continues the traditions of all former Spahi regiments in the French Army of Africa.

37th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the French Army active during the First World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion</span> Military unit

The Marching Regimentof the Foreign Legion (RMLE) was a French military unit that fought in World War I and World War II. Initially composed of marching regiments from the 1st Foreign Regiment of Sidi Bel Abbes and the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment of Saida, Algeria, it re-formed as the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment.

The Moroccan Division or the 1st Moroccan Division of 1914, initially the Marching Division of Morocco was an infantry division of France's Army of Africa which participated in World War I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment</span> Infantry Unit

The 3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment was an infantry unit of the Army of Africa in the French Army. Recruited primarily from Algerian Muslims, it was mainly commanded by French officers. The racial boundaries were not absolute, with some French volunteers serving in the ranks and a limited number of Muslims being appointed as officers. After 1913 a selective form of conscription was applied to Algerian Muslims but the majority of Muslim soldiers serving in the 3e R.T.A continued to be voluntarily enlisted.

The Détachement Français de Palestine et de Syrie was the name given to French forces in the Middle East from 1917 onwards, within the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. Although they were commanded in the field by Colonel Gilles de Philpin de Piépape, they were overseen by General Maurice Bailloud who was the Inspector-General. The detachment arrived at Rafah on 25 May 1917.

The 31st Army Corps was a corps of the French army, created at the start of the First World War. From the date of its creation until June 1916, the army corps occupied front sectors in Lorraine. In June, the 31st Army Corps fought on the left bank of the Meuse during the Battle of Verdun. Subsequently, it occupied a front line sector in the Argonne, before being transported to the Italian Front as a reinforcement after the Italian defeat at the Battle of Caporetto with the 10th Army. In March 1918, the army corps was redeployed to France, to face the German offensives, it was situated on the Somme front until the end of the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tirailleurs malgaches</span> Malagasy infantry

The tirailleurs malgaches were a corps of French colonial infantry established in Madagascar.

156th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the French Army during the First World War. It was deployed overseas, seeing action during the Gallipoli campaign, and thereafter on the Salonika front, fighting alongside British troops in both theatres of war. It was sent to the Crimea in December 1918 as part of the Army of the Danube.

122nd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the French Army during the First World War. It was deployed overseas, seeing action on the Salonika front, fighting alongside British troops. It was sent to the Crimea in December 1918 as part of the Army of the Danube.

57th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the French Army during the First World War. It was deployed overseas, seeing action on the Salonika front, fighting alongside British troops. It was sent to the Crimea in December 1918 as part of the Army of the Danube.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Chrétien</span> French World War I general

Adrien Paul Alexandre Chrétien was a French general who participated in World War I. He spent the war commanding the 30th Army Corps at throughout several battles of the Western Front.

17th Colonial Infantry Division was an infantry division of the French Army during the First World War. It was deployed overseas, seeing action during the Gallipoli campaign, and thereafter on the Salonika front, fighting alongside British troops in both theatres of war. It was sent to the Crimea in December 1918 as part of the Army of the Danube.

The 45th Infantry Division, also known as the 45th Algerian Division, was an infantry division of the French Army that served in World War I. The 45th Division was formed on 19 August 1914 from personnel from Algeria, Morocco, and North Africa in general, within the 19th Military Region; The division consisted primarily of tirailleurs and Zouaves. The alleged first gas attack of the Western Front was launched against its positions north of Ypres on 22 April 1915. Chemical weapons had already been used on the Eastern Front and there are some claims that use on the Western Front occurred prior to 22 April 1915.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">87th Territorial Infantry Division (France)</span> French WWI-era military unit

The 87th Territorial Infantry Division was a WWI-era infantry division of the French Army. It was composed of older reservists from the 10th Military District, headquartered in Rennes. Personnel were generally recruited from Normandy and Brittany.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Détachement d'armée de Belgique
  2. 1 2 Groupe Provisoire du Nord
  3. ↑ Groupe d'armées du Nord
  4. ↑ 'In August 1914, the 19th région militaire sent three infantry divisions to France - the 37th, the 38th and the 45th' [4]

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pompé 1924, pp. 305.
  2. ↑ Pompé 1924, pp. 308–312.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Pompé 1924, pp. 306–307.
  4. ↑ "North-African soldiers. 1914-1918". Chemins de Mémoire. Ministry of Armed Forces (France) . Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  5. ↑ Carré 1925, pp. 32, 40.
  6. ↑ Carré 1925, pp. 69–71.
  7. ↑ Carré 1925, p. 91.
  8. ↑ Besson 1931, pp. 213–214.
  9. ↑ Besson 1931, p. 250.
  10. ↑ Besson 1931, p. 289.
  11. ↑ Besson 1931, p. 291.
  12. 1 2 Pompé 1924, pp. 308–309.
  13. ↑ Moreigne 1933, p. 539.
  14. ↑ Moreigne 1933, p. 341.
  15. ↑ Moreigne 1933, p. 350.
  16. ↑ Herlaut 1931, p. 257.
  17. ↑ Herlaut 1931, p. 676.
  18. ↑ Pompé 1924, p. 309.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "Utilisation du mot <<Organisation>> AFGG 10,2 de quoi s'agit-il?". Forum pages14-18 (in French). 19 June 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  20. ↑ Altairac 1935, pp. 396.
  21. ↑ Ferreira, Sylvain (24 October 2016). "24 octobre 1916, 11h40 l'infanterie française attaque". Société des Amis du Musée de la Grande Guerre (SAM2G) (in French). Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  22. ↑ Altairac 1935, pp. 452.
  23. ↑ Altairac 1935, pp. 480.
  24. ↑ Lodier, Didier (17 April 2004). "Verdun: Le second semestre de 1916". Chimiste - mon site consacré aux parcours de régiments en 1914-18 (in French). Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  25. ↑ Pompé 1924, pp. 309–310.
  26. ↑ Beaugier 1931, p. 635.
  27. ↑ Beaugier 1931, pp. 677–678.
  28. ↑ "La 38e division d'infanterie: La bataille de l'Aisne (avril - juin 1917)". CRID - Collectif de Recherche International et de Débat sur la guerre de 1914-1918 (in French). Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  29. ↑ Beaugier 1937, p. 1042.
  30. ↑ Beaugier 1937, pp. 1044–1045, 1099.
  31. ↑ Pompé 1924, pp. 310–311.
  32. ↑ Tournés 1931, p. 318.
  33. ↑ Tournés 1931, p. 319.
  34. ↑ Tournés 1931, p. 358, 368, 378-379.
  35. ↑ Berthemet & Lefévre 1934, pp. 242–243.
  36. ↑ Berthemet & Lefévre 1934, pp. 286, 318.
  37. ↑ Berthemet & Lefévre 1934, pp. 477–478.
  38. ↑ "2d Division Summary of Operations in The [First] World War [Jun to Nov 1918]". American Battle Monuments Commission. 1944. Retrieved 17 January 2025– via The 2nd Division, (Regular) AEF. WWI, 1917-1919, created 2002.
  39. ↑ "THE ROLE OF THE 34th BRITISH DIVISION IN THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE". Deuxième Bataille de la Marne (mai-août 1918). Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  40. ↑ Laure 1923, p. 262.
  41. 1 2 Pompé 1924, pp. 311–312.

Bibliography

'Official History (in French)'

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.