45th Infantry Division (France)

Last updated

45th Infantry Division
45e division d'infanterie
Active
  • 1914–1919
Country France
Branch French Army
Type Infantry Division
Role Infantry
Nickname(s)Turcos [1]
Engagements
Commanders
Notable
commanders

The 45th Infantry Division, also known as the 45th Algerian Division, [2] 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 (both types of light infantry). The alleged first gas attack of the Western Front was launched against its positions north of Ypres on 22 April 1915. [2] 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. [3]

Contents

The division was disbanded on 27 March 1919 at Mainz.

Commanders

Chain of command

Chronology

1914

Mobilized in the 19th region, from 19 August. [a] 24 August – 6 September : transported by sea to Sète, then by rail to the south of Paris; where its journey temporarily halted. From 3 September, redeployed to the Le Mesnil-Amelot region. [12]

Tirailleurs algeriens in France during 1914 Gervais-Courtellemont Algerian Soldiers WW1 001.jpg
Tirailleurs algériens in France during 1914
Tirailleurs marocains wounded on the banks of the Marne, September 1914. M 43 couv tirailleurs marocains.jpg
Tirailleurs marocains wounded on the banks of the Marne, September 1914.
Monument in memory of the defence of the Chambry cemetery by the Zouaves of the 45th Division on 6 and 7 September 1914. Mur des Zouaves - Chambry France - panoramio.jpg
Monument in memory of the defence of the Chambry cemetery by the Zouaves of the 45th Division on 6 and 7 September 1914.
Elements of the cavalry corps assist with the evacuation of the wounded of the Moroccan brigade, who have seized Penchard. Battle of the Marne, 8 September 1914. Bataille de la Marne et de L'Ourcq- Neufmontier-les-Meaux (France) devant l'eglise , Tirrailleurs de la 45eme division Indigene sur le butin - 8 septembre 1914.jpg
Elements of the cavalry corps assist with the evacuation of the wounded of the Moroccan brigade, who have seized Penchard. Battle of the Marne, 8 September 1914.

6–13 September : engaged in the First Battle of the Marne. From 6 to 10 September, Battle of the Ourcq. Took part in the fighting towards Penchard, Chambry, Aisne, Barcy and Étrépilly, Seine-et-Marne. [13] From 10 September, continued via Lizy-sur-Ourcq and Longpont (in liaison with the British Expeditionary Force), as far as Soissons. 13 September – 3 October : engaged in the first battle of the Aisne. Crossed the Aisne (river) towards Soissons and repeated fighting north of Crouy. Then stabilization of the front and occupation of a sector in this region. On 23 and 30 September, French attacks towards the Perrière farm and north of the Montagne Neuve farm. [5]

3 October 1914 – 25 February 1915: withdrawal from the front and transport by railway to the Arras region. Engaged, from 5 October, in the First Battle of Artois. Fighting in the region of Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult, Roclincourt, Thélus and Écurie. Stabilization and occupation of a sector towards Roclincourt and La Targette (mine warfare). 31 October : front extended to the right towards the Maison Blanche. 5 November : Took part in the fighting towards Écurie and north. 16 November : reduced front on the left to the south of La Targette. 28 November : German attack towards Écurie; from 27 to 29 November French counterattacks. 7–8 December : new German attacks and French counter-attacks. 17–18 February 1915 : French attacks. [5]

1915

25 February – 13 April : withdrawn from the front line to Avesnes-le-Comte; rest, then from 30 March sent to Doullens; refresher training. (Elements in sector with the 10th Army Corps (France), to Arras up to 2 March). From 6 April, transport by rail from the Doullens region to the south of Bergues. 13 April – 8 June : moved to the front line, to occupy of a sector towards Poelkapelle and Langemark (in liaison with the British army). [14] 22 April : German gas attack during the Second Battle of Ypres; [b] [16] [17] [18] violent French counter-attacks. Then occupied of a new sector towards Boezinge and Het-Sas. 16–17 May : French attacks on Hill 17 towards Pilkem. [19] 20–21 May : German counterattacks. [20] 23 May : sector moved, right towards Wieltje and Boezinge. [20] 30 May : new French attacks on Hill 17. 8 June – 30 September : relief by the Second Army of the B.E.F.; [21] bypass movement to the north, then occupied a new sector on the Yser, towards Boezinge and Steenstrate (in liaison with the British and Belgian armies). [22] 30 September 1915 – 11 March 1916 : withdrew from the front line to the south-east of Bergues; rest and refresher training. From 21 November, elements in the Nieuwpoort sector. [20]

1916

11 March – 9 May : transported by rail in the Crépy-en-Valois region; rest. From 18 March, moved in stages to Jonchery-sur-Vesle; rest and work. From 20 April, transported by rail in the Sainte-Menehould region and rest in that of Triaucourt. 9–23 May : moved to the front line. Engaged in the Battle of Verdun between La Hayette and Avocourt Wood. Fighting in Camard wood. 23 May–9 June : withdrew from the front line to the west of Saint-Dizier; rest. From 30 May, transport by rail in the Châtel-sur-Moselle region; rest. 9 June – 9 August : moved to the front line, occupied a sector between Vezouze and Chapelotte. 9 August – 1 September : withdrawal from the front line to Rambervillers; rest. From 12 August, sent to the Saffais camp; refresher training. 25 August, transported by rail to the Grandvilliers region; rest. [23]

1–16 September : transport by trucks to Fouilloy. Committed from 4 September in the Battle of the Somme, deployed towards the Hôpital farm and the Forest. On 13, 14 and 15 September, French attacks. [24] 16 September – 6 October : withdrawal from the front line to Formerie; rest. From 29 September, transported by rail to the Dunkirk region; rest. 6 October 1916 – 12 January 1917 : moved to the front line, to occupy a sector between Nieuport and Saint-Georges. [23]

1917

12 January – 16 February : withdrawal from the front, transport by rail from Dunkirk to Chantilly; refresher training at the Pontarmé training camp and from 7 February, rest in Neuilly-en-Thelle. 16 February – 4 March : employed on working parties at Fitz-James, for the entrenched camp of Paris. 4 – 15 March : moved to the front line, to occupy a sector towards Beuvraignes and the Bois des Loges (excluded). 15 March – 2 April : withdrew from the front line to Montdidier, employed on working parties, then from 27 March transported by rail to Mailly-le-Camp; rest. 2 – 22 April : moved to the front line, via Mourmelon-le-Petit, then on the 5 April occupied the sector north of Prosnes. Engaged from 17 to 20 April in the Battle of the Hills (capture of Mount Haut and the Casque). [25] 11 April – 19 May : withdrew from the front line, moved to Mourmelon-le-Grand; at rest in the vicinity of La Chaussée-sur-Marne. [26]

19 May – 18 August : transported by rail to the front line and from 26 May, occupied a sector situated towards La Neuville-au-Pont and the north of Loivre. 18 August – 14 September : withdrawal from the front; rest at Verneuil (the 90th brigade is left in the sector until 22 August). 14 September – 6 October : occupied a sector in the Sapigneul region, la Miette. 6 – 22 October : withdrawal from the front line , moved to Chaumuzy, then rest at Saint-Martin-d'Ablois. 22 October – 11 December : moved to the front line, and occupied the sector towards Sapigneul and the south of Godat. From 16 November, ring road movement and took up positions in a new sector between Courcy and the south of Godat. 11 December 1917 – 26 January 1918 : withdrew from the front line to Damery; rest and refresher training. [26]

1918

26 January – 29 March : moved to the front line, occupied the sector towards Courcy, Marne and Bétheny. 29 March – 28 April : withdrew from the front line, was transported by trucks to the Vendeuil region. [27] Engaged on 5 April in the Battle of the Avre (Second Battle of Picardy). Contributed to stopping the German offensive during violent fighting between Grivesnes and the west of Montdidier. [10] 28 April – 20 May : withdrew from the front line, moved to Nivillers; from 30 April, transported by rail to Épernay; rest and refresher training in the vicinity of Tours-sur-Marne, then from 17 May moved to Ville-en-Tardenois. 20 May – 2 June : moved to the Saint-Thierry massif, the next day, 21 May, occupied a sector towards Courcy and Loivre. From 27 May, engaged in the Third Battle of the Aisne (alongside IX Corps of the British army). [28] [29] Put up resistance on the Vesle, then southwest of Reims, towards Rosnay, Marne and Ormes, Marne. [10]

2 June – 6 August : withdrew from the front line to Mareuil-sur-Ay; rest. On 4 July, occupied a sector between Prunay and the Fort de la Pompelle. Engaged on 15 July in the Fourth Battle of Champagne. [30] Resistance to the German shock. 2 August, bypass movement; engaged towards Rosnay and Gueux, Marne in the Second Battle of the Marne. 6 August – 8 September : occupied a sector on the Vesle, towards Muizon and to the east. 8–20 September : withdrew from the front line, moved to Arcis-le-Ponsart; then occupied a sector between the west of Romain, Marne and the south of Glennes. From 16 September, engaged between the Vesle and the Aisne in the push towards the Hindenburg position. Fighting moved towards Glennes and 14 September towards l'arbre de Romain. 20 September – 8 October : organization of the positions conquered north of the Vesle between the west of Romain and the south of Glennes. On 27 September, front extended to the left as far as the north-east of Baslieux-lès-Fismes. 8 October – 5 November: withdrew from the front line, movement towards Muizon. From 10 October, occupied a sector on the Suippe, towards Burgundy; then progressed towards the region of Saint-Germainmont, Le Thour (Battle of the Serre). [31] Organization in this region of a reduced sector on the left, 24 October to the north of Saint-Germainmont. 5–11 November : withdrew from the front line to Condé-en-Brie; rest. [10]

Order of battle

1914

Tirailleurs algeriens taking the train in 1914 Algerian soldiers LCCN2014697646.jpg
Tirailleurs algériens taking the train in 1914
Early WW1 colour photograph of French Zouaves Zouaves in ww1 tournassoud.jpg
Early WW1 colour photograph of French Zouaves
French Zouaves in the First World War French Colonial Forces.jpg
French Zouaves in the First World War
Chasseur d'Afrique in 1914. Chasseur d'Afrique, bataille de la Marne 1914.jpg
Chasseur d'Afrique in 1914.
Tirailleurs marocains in 1914. 1914 Tirailleurs marocains.jpg
Tirailleurs marocains in 1914.

On 5 September, the division was created, with four régiments at its core, three of Zouaves, one of tirailleurs algériens, each regiment comprising three infantry battalions. [32]

Régiment de marche du 1er zouaves [32]
Régiment de marche du 3e zouaves [32]
Régiment de marche du 2e zouaves [32]
Régiment de marche du 2e régiment de tirailleurs algériens [32]

Divisional cavalry: Régiment de marche of Chasseurs d'Afrique from the 1st and 2nd Regiments [32]
Artillery: a divisional artillery with 3 groups [32]
Engineers: a field company of sappers [32]
Lines of communication: a detachment of telegraphists, a reserve of medical equipment, Sanitary Sections, a group of stretcher-bearers, 4 Field Ambulances, 4 hospital sections. [32]
Logistics: Divisional Train, Supply section, Horse Transport section, 1 auxiliary convoy, supply section's Field Bakeries and Butcheries, Motor Ambulance Convoy. [32]

From 8 September to 5 October 1914, a Brigade of Moroccan tirailleurs under the command of General Ditte [33] composed of two regiments (one of 3 battalions under the command of Colonel Touchard and one of 2 battalions under the command of Major Joseph-François Poeymirau) was assigned as reinforcements to the 45th Division, and fought during the First Battle of the Marne. [32] [34] Among their ranks was Lieutenant Alphonse Juin, early in his military career. [35] [36]

1915

Tirailleurs algeriens in their old "Turcos" uniform. It was replaced with khaki battledress as the war progressed. Turcos.jpg
Tirailleurs algériens in their old "Turcos" uniform. It was replaced with khaki battledress as the war progressed.
For the benefit of the photographer, a re-enactment of the 2nd Zouaves in a trench near Barcy-Chambry in September 1914. Probably done in 1915. Zouaves vers Barcy, Chambry.jpg
For the benefit of the photographer, a re-enactment of the 2nd Zouaves in a trench near Barcy-Chambry in September 1914. Probably done in 1915.

1 January 1915

Régiment de marche du 7e zouaves – name change, had been the 1st [32]
Régiment de marche du 5e zouaves – name change, had been the 3rd [32]
Régiment de marche du 3e zouaves – name change, had been the 2nd [32]
Régiment de marche du 6e régiment de tirailleurs algériens – name change, had been the 2nd [32]

1 July 1915

3e régiment mixte de zouaves et tirailleurs – Régiment de marche du 7e zouaves, name change, comprised two Zouave battalions and a batallion of tirailleurs tunisiens [32]
3e Régiment bis de zouaves – name change, had been the 5th [32]
2e Régiment bis de zouaves – name change, had been the 3e régiment de marche de zouaves, sent to the Macedonian front in November 1915 [32] to join the Armée d'Orient (1915–1919). [37] [38]
Régiment de marche du 1er régiment de tirailleurs algériens – name change, had been the 6th [32]

1916

3e régiment mixte de zouaves et tirailleurs, no change [32]
3e régiment bis de zouaves, no change [32]
1er et 3e Bataillon d’Infanterie Légère d’Afrique [32]
1er régiment de marche de tirailleurs algériens, no change [32]

1918

3e régiment bis de zouaves, no change [32]
1er régiment de marche de tirailleurs algériens, no change [32]
1st, 2nd and 3rd Light Infantry Battalions of Africa [32]

The 2nd African Light Infantry Battalion joined the 45th Division during the summer of 1918 to form a group of battalions composed of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. [32]

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References

Notes

  1. ↑ 'In August 1914, the 19th région militaire sent three infantry divisions to France - the 37th, the 38th and the 45th' [11]
  2. ↑ The French troops in the path of the gas cloud suffered 2,000–3,000 casualties, with 800 to 1,400 fatalities. [15]

Citations

  1. ↑ Neill Gilhooley (19 February 2020). A History of the 9th (Highlanders) Royal Scots. Pen & Sword Books. ISBN   9781526735287 . Retrieved 12 January 2025. ...45th Algerian Division, nicknamed Turcos...
  2. 1 2 "Ypres 1915: The first gas attack". Legion Magazine. Canvet Publications Ltd. 21 September 2014. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  3. ↑ Heller, Charles E (September 1984). "Chemical Warfare in World War I: The American Experience, 1917–1918". Leaveanworth Papers (10). US Army Command and General Staff College.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Pompé 1924, pp. 361.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Pompé 1924, p. 364.
  6. 1 2 3 Pompé 1924, p. 365.
  7. ↑ Edmonds & Wynne 1995, p. 340.
  8. 1 2 Pompé 1924, p. 366.
  9. 1 2 Pompé 1924, p. 367.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Pompé 1924, pp. 367–368.
  11. ↑ "North-African soldiers. 1914-1918". Chemins de Mémoire. Ministry of Armed Forces (France) . Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  12. ↑ Carré 1925, p. 643.
  13. ↑ Besson 1931, p. 198-200.
  14. ↑ Edmonds & Wynne 1995, pp. 173–176.
  15. ↑ Greenhalgh 2014, pp. 89–91.
  16. ↑ Edmonds & Wynne 1995, pp. 176–184.
  17. ↑ Huré 1977, p. 283.
  18. ↑ Herlaut 1931, pp. 698–702.
  19. ↑ Edmonds & Wynne 1995, p. 339.
  20. 1 2 3 Pompé 1924, pp. 364–365.
  21. ↑ Edmonds 1928, p. 85.
  22. ↑ Edmonds 1928, pp. 99, 106, 107, 119.
  23. 1 2 Pompé 1924, pp. 365–366.
  24. ↑ Altairac 1935, pp. 137–138.
  25. ↑ Beaugier 1931, p. 670.
  26. 1 2 Pompé 1924, pp. 366–367.
  27. ↑ Tournés 1931, p. 362.
  28. ↑ Edmonds 1939, pp. 42, 62–67, 77–78, 102, 106–107.
  29. ↑ Berthemet & Lefévre 1934, p. 157.
  30. ↑ Laure 1923, p. 125.
  31. ↑ De Feriet 1938, p. 166.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Pompé 1924, pp. 362–363.
  33. ↑ "La brigade Marocaine". www.circuit-bataille-marne1914.fr (in French). Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  34. ↑ "La Brigade marocaine et la bataille de la Marne". Archives départementales de Seine-et-Marne (in French). Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  35. ↑ Juin, Alphonse. "La Brigade Marocaine à la Bataille de la Marne (30 août au 17 septembre 1914)" (in French). 1914ancien.free. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  36. ↑ "Alphonse Juin (1888-1967)". Chemins de Mémoire (in French). Ministry of Armed Forces (France). Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  37. ↑ "Historique du 2e Régiment Bis de Marche de Zouaves". Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  38. ↑ Pompé 1924, pp. 972–973.

Bibliography

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