Crazy Dutch Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 Does anyone have Gordon MacInlay's 1984 Orbat & TO&E review of French forces. Unfortunately I lost it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hurricane Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 I think this is what you are after: THE LAND FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE 1984 These notes pertain to the French Army as of 1984 and the 1985 reorganisations. They are taken from 'umpire handbooks', French Army handouts, the National Defence Telephone Directory and my personal notes taken in 1984 and 1985. Subsequent notes from the 1980's show that this organisation stayed until the disintegration of the Warsaw Pact, and the end of the Cold War. CONTENTS: Unit abbreviations. Rifle Companies of the various types of regiments. Regimental Organisations. Divisional Organisations Army Organisation. Other Services. French Navy. French Air Force. Gendarmarie. Health Service. Recruiting Service. Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants Service. Police National UNIT ABBREVIATIONS BCA Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins, Alpine (mountain) rifle battalion BGDA Bataillon Genie de Division Alpine, Mountain division engineer battalion BMGLE Bataillon Mixte de Genie Legion Etrangere, Foreign Legion Mixed Engineer Battalion, composed of field and construction engineer sub-units. CG Companie de Genie, engineer company CIABC Centre d'Instruction Arme Blindee Cavalerie, the Cavalry and Armoured Troops Instruction Centre, the armour school. CPCIT Centre de Perfectionnement de Cadres et d'Instruction des Tireurs, Advanced Training Center for Instructors of the Gunners ie. the Gunnery School. DA Division Alpine, mountain division. DAM Division Aeromobile, Airmobile division. DB Division Blindee, armoured division DBL Division Blindee Legere, Light armoured division. DBLE Demi-Brigade Legion Etrangere, Foreign Legion Half Brigade, traditional title for a Legion regiment. Demi-Brigade is used by the 27th DA for it's two brigades. DI Division d'Infanterie, Infantry division. DP Division Parachutiste, Parachute division. EAA Ecole d'Application d'Artillery, Artillery Tactical School. EAABC Ecole d'Application Arme Blindee Cavalry, Cavalry and Armoured Troops Tactical School. EAI Ecole d'Application d'Infanterie, Infantry Tactical School. GHL Groupement d'Helicopters Legers, Light Helicopter Group. GC Groupement de Chasseurs, light infantry group, traditional name for a mechanised infantry battalion. Ma suffix indicating Marine (troops) P suffix indicating Parachutiste. RA Regiment d'Artillerie, Artillery Regiment. RAM Regiment d'Artillerie Montagne, Mountain artillery regiment. RAP Regiment d'Artillery Parachutiste, Parachute artillery regiment. RC Regiment Cuirassier, traditional title for heavy cavalry, a armoured regiment. RCC Regiment de Chars de Combat, Tank Regiment. RCh Regiment de Chasseurs, Light Infantry Regiment, traditional unit title. RCP Regiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes, Parachute Light Infantry Regiment. RCR Regiment de Circulation Routiere, Road Traffic Control Regiment. RCS Regiment de Commandement et de Soutien, Command and Control Regiment with logisitics and support services to a formation headquarters. RD Regiment Dragons, Dragoon regiment traditional title for a tank regiment. RDP Regiment Dragons Parachutistes, Parachute dragoon regiment, a special warfare unit. REC Regiment Etrange de Cavalerie, Foreign Legion Cavalry Regiment. REG Regiment Etranger de Genie, Foreign Legion Engineer Regiment, a field engineer unit. REI Regiment Etranger d'Infantrie, Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment. REP Regiment Etranger de Parachutistes, Foreign Legion Parachute Regiment. RG Regiment de Genie, Engineer Regiment, a field engineer unit. RH Regiment Hussards, Hussar Regiment, light cavalry/reconnaissance regiment. RHC Regiment d'Helicopteres de Combat, Helicopter Combat Regiment. RHP Regiment Hussards Parachutistes, Parachute Hussars Regiment, the reconnaissance regiment for the parachute division. RI Regiment d'Infanterie RIA Regiment d'Infanterie Alpine, Alpine Infantry Regiment, a traditional title, the unit the same as the BCA above. RIAOM Regiment Inter-Armees Outre Mer, Combined Arms Regiment for Overseas Service, a Marine regular unit. RICM Regiment d'Infantrie Chars de Marine, Marine Infantry Armoured Regiment, a traditional title for a reconaissance regiment. RID Regiment d'Infantrie Divisionnaire, Reserve Infantry Regiment. RIF Regiment d'Infantrie de Frontiere, Frontier Infantry Regiment, a static defensive role unit that occuppied/manned certain modernised sections of the Maginot Line. RPIMa Regiment de Parachutiste d'Infantrie Marine, Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment. RS Regiment Spahis, Spahis Regiment, a traditional title (from the Colonial Army in Algeria), a armoured regiment. RT Regiment Transmissions, Signals Regiment. R suffix indicating a reserve unit. T suffix indicating an active force unit used for training duties in support of schools in peacetime. THE FRENCH ARMY Rifle Companies of the various types of regiments. Mechanised infantry regt : 17 AMX-10 APCs, 8 MILAN systems. Coy HQ 1 AMX, 4 rifle pls each 3 AMX with a pl HQ 1 officer and 6 (divided between the 3 APCs), 3 rifle sections of commander, sharpshooter (tiralleur) 4 two man teams (1 vehicle crew, 1 AT, 1 LMG, 1 rifle), 10 rifles, 1 LRAC AT weapon and 1 AA52 LMG. AT pl with 4 AMX and 8 two man MILAN teams, normally deploys as HQ element (8 men) with coy HQ, each of the other AMX mounted sections (6 men) with a rifle pl. The reason why 11 small arms for 10 men in rifle section, the sharpshooter either used his marksman rifle or a FAMAS depending upon role. Each AMX had 2 men, driver and gunner (Corporal) permanently assisigned, with sub-unit commander taking over a vehicle commander when mounted. Normally the AT and one rifle pl has a senior NCO (Adjutant or Adjutant Chef) as pl commander. NOTE: Mechanised inf regts are starting to convert to a structure of 3 mech rifle coys and 1 AMX-30 tank coy rather than 2 rifle and 2 AMX-13 tank coys. Similarly armoured regts are giving up their rifle coys (called esquadrons). Armoured regt: As above but no AT pl Infantry regts: Coy HQ 2 VABs (wheeled APCs), 3 rifle pls as above, but with VABs instead of AMX. Weapons pl; AT section 1 VAB 2 MILANs, AA section 2 20mm AA cannons towed by VABs, mortar sect 2 81mm mortars with 3 VABs (1 for pl commander). Total 17 VABs Alpine Chasseur regt: Coy HQ, 3 rifle pls as above, but, only 1 LRAC held by pl HQ. May be issued with VABs. Airborne inf regt: Coy HQ, 4 rifle pls as above, 1 weapons pl with 2 MILAN teams and 2 81mm mortars. A pool of 12-16 LRACs held by coy HQ for issue to the pls as required. Marine infantry regt: COy HQ, 3 rifle pls as above, but with 3 additional LRACs held by pl HQ. Weapons pl 2 81mm morts, 2 20mm AA cannons.. May be issued with VABs. Infantry Anti-Tank Company Armoured Divisions 140 officers and men, 3 pls of 4 HOT missile armed VABs. Infantry Divisions have 1 similar, whilst 6th DLB has 2. AMX-13 tank coy Mechanised inf regt: HQ 1 AMX-13, 2 pls each 4 AMX-13s, 1 ATGM pl with 4 AMX-13s with SS-11 missiles (in addition to main weapon). REGIMENTAL ORGANISATIONS Infantry Regiment VAB mounted; HQ coy, combat support coy with 120mm mortar pl with 6 120mm mortars, recce pl with 9 Jeeps, AT pl with 4 Jeep mounted MILAN systems; four rifle coys as shown above. NOTE : 1. These regiments can at full strength put just under 250 infantrymen on the ground. Mechanised infantry regiment: RHQ 2 AMX-10, 2 AMX-10PC. HQ Coy, Coy HQ, HQ pl, services groupment, protection, signals, command support, fuel/munitions pls), heavy mortar pl with 6 120mm towed 12-6 mortars, and 8 VABs. 2 tank coys, HQ with 1 AMX-30, 1 AMX-10PC, 3 tank pls each 3 AMX-30's, 1 rifle pl 3 AMX-10s. 2 rifle coys as above. NOTE: 1. 1,000 all ranks, 20 AMX-30, AMX-10 variants 44, 120mm mortar 6, MILAN 16, LRAC 55, LMG 30, wheeled vehicles 120. 2. In peacetime a recruit/corps training coy is organic to the regt. 3. Many units still using AMX-13s. 4. Starting with 1 and 3 DBs, the 1985 reorganisation, regts will change the unit structure to 3 rifle and 1 AMX-30 coys. Corps level Independent Infantry Regiment. RHQ 7 VABs. HQ coy, HQ pl, services groupment similar to mech inf regt, 15 VABs. Combat support Coy, HQ, two recon pls with 6 Jeeps, heavy mortar pl with 6 120mm towed 12-6 mortars, and 8 VABs. 4 rifle coys with VABs as above, in some regts a 4th VAB pl to be phased in and pls to have 4 VABs, 5 LRACs and 3 LMGs (this organisation being that of the infantry regt in 4th Airmobile Division). 2 VAB mounted AT coys with coy HQ with 1 VAB, 3 AT pls with pl HQ 1 VAB (carrying extra missiles) 3 sections each 1 VAB and 2 MILAN teams, recon pl with 6 Jeeps, total 13 VABs. NOTE: 1 1,400 men, 124 VABs, 44 MILANS, 6 120mm and 8 81mm mortars, 8 20mm cannons, 24 recon Jeeps, 131 wheeled vehicles. 2. In late 1985 corps gave up their infantry regts. Alpine Chasseur Battalion, or Mountain Infantry Regiment (traditional titles only units have same organisation and role) Bn or regt HQ, HQ Coy with HQ pl and services groupment). Combat support coy; 81mm mortar pl with 6 mortars, 120mm mortar pl with 3 weapons, AT pl with 6 MILANS, high mountain pl (this a large sub-unit with the ability to fight independently in very difficult terrain, act as mountain leaders for the remainder of the bn, and to act as a dismounted recce pl, all men ski and climber (rock, snow and ice) trained to instructor and leader standard respectively). 4 rifle coys as shown above. NOTE: 1. May be mounted in 1.5 tonne trucks or VAB vehicles. 2. 1,107 men, 163 B vehicles and trailers. Airborne Regiment as part of 11th DP Regt HQ. HQ Coy. Combat support coy with, Jeep mounted recce pl, 120mm mortar pl with 6 weapons (and has 6 81mm mortars for foot mobile role), 2 MILAN AT pls with 6 systems each, AA pl with 6 20mm cannons. Four parachute rifle coys as shown above. NOTE: 1. May be mounted in 1.5 tonne trucks or VAB vehicles. 2. Two regiments in the 11th DP are classified as "light' battalions, as they each have a parachute rifle coy based on rotation overseas in Djibouti and Gabon. Marine Infantry Regiment as part of 9th DIMa. Regt HQ, HQ and Service Coy; Combat support coy, mortar pl with four 120mm mortars, two MILAN AT pls with 6 systems each, recconaissance pl with Jeeps; four rifle coys as above, and training coy. NOTE: 1. 1,500 all ranks. Those personnel in the training coy are not included in the divisional total of 7,600 men. 2. 11 RIMa (T) goes to the 9th DIMa on mobilisation, and is reported to have 36 MILAN systems(?). Armoured Regiment RHQ. HQ sqn, HQ, recce (with Jeeps) signals, river crossing, command and support, service, fuel and munitions, recovery, medical platoons. 4 tank sqns, HQ pl with 1 AMX-30, 1 AMX-10PC, echelon pl with 4 Jeeps, 2 motor cycles, 1 VAB ECH (repair vehicle), 5 trucks. Rifle sqn with HQ pl 1 AMX-10PC, 4 rifle pls with 3 AMX-10Ps. NOTE: 1. Regts in 1 and 3 DB have pls of 4 AMX-30s, 70 in their regts, do not have rifle sqns. 2. With the 1985 reorganisation the rifle sqns to be removed from all regts. 3. Following the 1985 reorganisation the tank regts will have 54 AMX-30s, 10 AMX-10, 2 VAB PC, 8 VAB ECH, 3 VAB ambulances, 3 VAB, and 174 wheeled vehicles and trailers. Corps Reconnaissance Regiment RHQ 4 VAB. HQ Sqn. 4 Sqns of HQ, 4 recce tps with 3 AMX-10RCs and 3 Jeeps, 1 rifle tp of 3 VABs. NOTE: 1. 860 men, 48 AMX-RCs, 38 VABs, 32 MILAN systems, 180 B vehicles and trailers, some units (and reserve) are still equipped with AML variants . 2. 4th Chasseurs has 3 tps in each of its 3 sqns, and uses AML 90s instead of AMX-10s, and 1.5tonne trucks instead of VABs. 3. RICM has 3 sqns equipped with 62 ERC-90s. 4. Those regts equipped with AML variants have a 5th tp in each sqn equipped with 3 MILANs on Jeeps. 5. VLTTs will replace Jeeps. Pluton Regiment. HQ battery with signals troop; three 2 launcher Pluton batteries, services battery, training battery, and a mechanised rifle company with 10 AMX-10P in three platoons. NOTE : 1. The nuclear warheads of the Pluton missiles are of French origin, and the French have sole control over them. Air Defence Units Gun regiments have one battery of 9 30 SP guns, and two of eight 40mm Bofors towed guns. School regiments have different organisations. Roland regiments (two per corps) each have four 8 launcher batteries, with two at RHQ. One battery may be equipped with 30mm AMX-13 SP guns, four 3 gun troops and a HQ troop gun. IHAWK regiments have six 4 launcher batteries, with six missiles per launcher in the 1st Line. DIVISIONAL ORGANISATIONS Division Blindee, armoured division Divisional HQ Two mechanised infantry regiments. One VAB mounted infantry regiment Two or three tank regiments Reconnaissance Squadron, HQ pl, three recce pls with 11 Jeeps, 2 MILAN and 1 radar, ground surveillance pl with 5 radars. One anti-tank company with 12 VAB mounted HOT ystems, the divisions anti-tank reserve. One or two artillery regiments of HQ Battery, 4 batteries with 6 AUF-1 or 5 F-3 155mm SP howitzers. Engineer bn, HQ Coy, 2 armoured engineer coys, heavy field engineer company (with bridging equipment), light field engineer coy. 850 men 16 combat engineer vehicles, 16 APCs, 4 dozer tanks, 4 mine clearing systems, plus pontoons and heavy vehicular ferries. Divisional services regiment, coys of; signals, field repair, medical treatment/evacuation, transport, military police (Gendarmarie). 9,000 men. 120/125 AMX 30 MBT (figures relate to 2 or 3 tank regiment DBs) 312 AMX-10P APCs. 280 VAB 20 to 48 155mm gun systems, depending upon No of regts and equipment. 48 MILAN AT Systems. 18 20mm AA guns. 18 120mm mortars 8 81mm mortars 12 VAB mounted HOT AT systems. 165 LRAC light AT systems 1,850 B vehicles and trailers. NOTE: 1. 1 DB and 3 DB have two tank regiments each, rest have three. 2. Eventually all DBs will have two artillery regiments. 3. VLTTs will replace Jeeps. Division Blindee Legere, Light armoured division. All differ in establishments. 6th DBL shown Divisional HQ Two reconnaissance regiments with AMX-10RC Two VAB mounted infantry regiments. Towed 155mm howitzer battalion Engineer battalion. Services battalion, with sub-units of field repair, medical treatment/evacuation, transport, military police (Gendarmarie). 5,000 men 12th DBL, 7,400 14th/6th DBLs. AMX 30 MBT, 54 14th DBL only. AMX-10P APCs, 72, 14th DBL only. VABs 340. 155mm SP howitzers, 12th DBL only. 155mm towed howitzers, 24, 14th/6th DBLs. 48 MILAN AT systems. 20mm AA cannons, 48. 120mm mortars, 12. 81mm mortars, 16. 12 VAB mounted HOT AT systems, 24, 14th/6th DBLs. LRAC 110. Armoured cars, 59 12th DBL, 72, 14th/6th DBLs. B vehicles and trailers, 900 12th DBL, 1100 14th/6th DBLs. NOTE. 1. One reconnaissance regt replaced by a tank regt in 12th DBL. 2. 12th DBL has SP artillery regt. 3. 12th and 14th DBLs have single engineer coys. Division d'Infanterie, Infantry division. Divisional HQ. One reconnaissance regiment with, HQ sqn, 3 recce sqns with 12 AMX-10RC and Jeeps; 1 AT sqn with 12 VAB mounted HOT systems, 24 MILAN systems and 140 men. Three VAB mounted infantry regts. One engineer coy. Divisional services regiment, coys of; signals, field repair, medical treatment/evacuation, transport, military police (Gendarmarie). 6,900 men. 370 or 400 VABs. 60 - 96 MILAN systems. 58 20mm AA Cannons. 18 120mm mortars. 12 VAB mounted HOT systems. 24 towed 155mm howitzers. 165 LRAC. 36 armoured cars, 1,200 B vehicles and trailers. NOTE: 1. The reserve divisions use older equipment, 105mm howitzers rather than 155mm, AML or EBR armoured cars rather than AMX-10s, 1.5tonne trucks rather than VABs, 2, Recce regt's AT sqn forms the divisional AT reserve. 3. The MILAN systems in the Recce regt may be attached to the infantry regts. 4. Some divisions are shown as having MILAN establishments of 72 or 96 systems! The 9th DIMa had 72 systems (4 inf regts, organisation shown seperately), but, 96 systems not understood - may have been an error, 4th DAM is believed to have their single infantry regiment to have 96 MILAN.. ARMY ORGANISATION 1st ARMY Headquarters Starsbourg. 13 RDP (Dieuze and Donaueschingen)(NOTE 2); 402 RA (Chalons-sur-Marne), 403 RA (Chaumont) both Improved HAWK SAM missiles; 44 RT (Landau, West Germany)(NOTE 3) HQ commanding: I Corps; 1st DB, 4th DB, 7DB, 12th DBL, 14th DBL, 15th DI. II French Corps; 3rd DB, 5th DB. III Corps; 2nd DB, 10th DB, 8th DI. Berlin Garrison, Berlin Brigade. NOTE 1. 4th DB (Nancy) and 6th DB (Strasbourg) disbanded 1984, 12th DI (Rouen) disbanded 1983, their regiments transferred to other divisions. 2. A special forces regiment specialising in long range reconnaissance patrols, and unconventional warfare similar in concept to the British Army 22nd Special Air Service Regiment. Renowned for carrying the largest military rucksacks in the world. 3. 44 Signals Regiment the only front line electronic warfare unit in the French Army, having signals intercept, direction-finding and jamming capabilities. I Corps HQ Metz. Corps troops. Artillery; target acquisition 7RA (Nevers), 155mm AUF-1 155mm SP 61 RA (Morhange)(first unit equiped with weapon); air defence 57 RA (Bitcher) Roland missile systems; Pluton Surface to Surface Missiles 3 RA (Mailly) and 15 RA (Suippes); attached from the General Reserve, 155mm towed 17 RA(T) (Biscarrosse) and 19 RA(T) (Draguignan), Note 2. Reconnaissance 8 RH (AMX-10RC) (Altkirch). Infantry; 1 RI (Sarrebourg) Note 3. Engineers; 2 RG (Dijon). Army Aviation 11 GHL (Essey-les-Nancy), 4 RHC (T)(Le Luc). Traffic control; 602 RCR (Strasbourg). NOTE: 1. 4th DB (Nancy) and 6th DB (Strasbourg) disbanded 1984, all regiments reassigned. 2. I Corps will receive a three battery MLRS with 24 weapons in late 1980's. 3. This to go to 4th Airmobile. 4. from 6th DB. 1st DB HQ Trier. 1 RC (St Wendel), 6 RD (Saarbourg) both AMX-30; 8 GC (Wittlich, 16 GC (Saarbourg), 30 GC (Luneville), 9 RAMa (Trier) F3 155mm guns; 13 RG (Trier), 1 RCS (Trier). 7th DB HQ Besancon. 1RD (Lure), 5 RD (Belfort); 35 RI (Belfort), 170 RI (Epinal) (all AMX-30, AMX-10); F3 155mm guns 1 RA (Montbeliard), 12 RA (Oberhoffen)(Note 4), 19 RG (Besancon), 7 RCS (Besancon). 12th DBL HQ Saumur. 507 RCC(T)(AMX-30) (Saumur, attached EAABC), 3 RCh(T)(AML, EBR, Jeeps)(Saumur, attached EAABC); 4 REI(T)(Castelnaudary), a further RI (Note 1), 33 RA(T) (105mm SP)(St Maixent, attached to the NCO School). NOTE 1. Some sources state the RI 75 (the Monsieur Regiment of the old Royal Army - pre-1789) but, also reported disbanded when 14th DI disbanded? 14th DBL HQ Montpellier. 11 RC(T) (Cariagne, attached CIABC), 1 RCh (Canjeurs, attached CPCIT) both AMX-30; 81 RI(T) (Montpellier, attached EAI), 4 RIMa(T) (Perpignan) (Note 1); 60 RA(T)(Canjeurs, attached EAA) F3 155mm guns. NOTE : 1. One of the two RI's to be mechanised with AMX-10. 15th DI HQ Limoges. 5 RCh (AM:L)(Perigueux); 92 RI (Clermont-Ferrand), (Note 1), 99 RI (Salhonay)(Note 1, 126 RI (Brive-la-Gaillarde) all VAB; 20 RA (Poitiers) BF-50 155mm towed; 65 CG (Castelsarrasin), 15 RCS (Limoges). NOTE : 1. From 14th DI. II FRENCH CORPS Corps Troops: Artillery; 155mm SP guns 2 RA (Stetten), 34 RA (Mulheim) and three reserve regiments (details unknown); target acquistion 6 RA (Phalsbourg, France); air defence with Roland missiles' 51 RA (Wittlich), 53 RA (Vieux-Breisach). Pluton Surface to Surface Missiles 32 RA (Haguenau) and 74 RA (Belfort), due to political reasons both regiments in France in time of peace. Reconnaissance, 3 RH (AMX-10RC) (Pforzheim). Infantry, 110RI (Donaueschingen) to 3 DB in 1985. Engineers, 10 RG (Spire), 33 RG (Kehl)(has 30 M2 ferries), both large regiments. Army Aviation, 2 RHC (Trier), 12 GHL (Trier). 3rd DB HQ Freiburg. 3 RD (AMX-30)(Stetten, 12 RC (AMX-30)(Mulheim), 42 RI (Offenburg), 152 RI (Colmar) note 3, 19 GC (Vitlingen), 11 RA (155mm SP)(Offenburg), 32 RG (Kehl), 3 RCS (Freiburg). 5th DB HQ Landau. 2 RC (AMX-30)(Rutlingen), 5 RC (AMX-30)(Kaiserlautern), 4 RC (AMX-30)(Bitche) note 4, 153 RI(Mutzig) note 3, 2 GC (Neustadt), 24 GC (Tubingen), 73 RA (155mm SP)(Rutlingen), 11 RG (Rastatt), 5 RCS (Landau). NOTE: 1. From 1986 II Corps will receive one RA with three batteries of 8 MLRS each. 2. Starting from October 1983 the corps armoured regiments had first priority on the re-equipment with AMX-30B2 MBTs. 3. Converting to VAB from AMX VCI, ex-6th DB. 4. Ex-6th DB. III CORPS HQ Lille. Corps Troops Artillery; 8 RA (Commecy)(105mm SP)(NOTE 1), 16 RA (Melun)(155mm towed), (NOTE 2), 54 RA (Hyeres) (Roland AA Missiles, 30mm SP), 58 RA (Vincennnes)(Roland) (NOTE 3). Reconnaissance; 2 RH (Sourdun)(AMX-10RC). Infantry; 43 RI (Lille)(NOTE 4), 76 RI (Vincennes)(NOTE 5). Engineers; 6 RG (Angers), 31 RG (Castelsarrasin), 71 RG (Oisel), NOTE 6. Army Aviation; 6 RHC (Compiegne). NOTE : 1. Ex 4th DB. 2. A target acquistion regiment to form, corps artillery has 1 to 3 155mm towed RA (Mobilization). 3. 401 RA (T)(Draguignan)(Improved Hawk and 30mm SP) attached in peace to CPCIT, to III Corps on mobilisation. 4. Is classified as a "command and control regiment', its role and status unknown! 5. ? to go to 12th DBLE. 6. 72 RG (Mourmelon) is the engineer support regiment for the major training areas in north-eastern France under Military Region command, TO III Corps on mobilisation. 2nd DB HQ Camp de Satory, Versailles. 2 RD (Laon)(NOTE 1), 6 RC (Olivet, 501 RCC (Rambouillet), all AMX-30; 1 RAMa (Montlhery)(155mm SP) (NOTE 2); 5 RI (Beynes)(AMX-10P), Regiment de Marche du Tchad (Montlhery)(VTT/AMX-13), 39 RI (Rouen)(NOTE 3); 5 RG (Camp de Satory), 2 RCS (Camp de Satory). NOTE : 1. From 6th DB, Haguenau in 1985. 2. To receive 16 RA (Melum). 3. From 12th DI in 1984. 4. 12th DI (Rouen) disbanded end of 1983. 10th DB HQ Chalons-sur-Marne. 4 RD (Camp de Mourmelon), 2 RCh(Verdun)(NOTE 1), 503 RCC(Camp de Mourmelon), all AMX-30B2; 1 GC (Reims)(VAB), 150 RI (Verdun)(AMX-10), 151 RI (Metz)(to receive AMX-10); 40 RA (Camp de Suippes)(F3), 3 RAMa (Verdun)(105mm SP) (NOTE 1),; 3 RG (Charlesville-Mezieres), 10 RCS (Chalons-sur-Marne, and Mourmelon). NOTE : 1. Ex-4th DB. 8th DI HQ Ameins. 7 RCh (Arras)(AML); 8 RI (Noyon), 67 RI (Soissons), 94 RI(Sissonee), all VAB; 41 RAMa (La Fere) (155mm towed); 8 CG (Oisel), 8 RCS (Ameins). BERLIN BRIGADE Commandant French Sector W Berlin and Commandement des Troups det Services du Secteur Francais de Berlin. The CTSSB had some 3,000 men (including some 400 Air Force personnel). 11eme Regiment de Chasseurs, 46eme Regiment d'Infanterie, engineer, ordnance, signals and medical companies, with large Berlin Squadron of the Gendarmerie. The regiments both had a recruit training company or squadron for the initial and corps training of their soldiers. The 46th Inf had 3 rifle coys of 3 pls each, a support and HQ coy with 120mm mortar pl with 4 weapons, 106mm anti-tank gun pl, MILAN pl, and a anti-aircraft pl with 20mm guns, all three with 6 weapons each. The Armoured regt had a HQ sqn with a 4 120mm mortar tp, a 106mm anti-tank gun and a recce jeep with MGs tp's each with 6 weapons systems; 2 tank sqns with HQ 1 AMX 30 and 3 tank tps with 3 AMX 30s and a rifle tp with 4 VCI APCs, a AMX 13 Sqn HQ 1 AMX13 and 4 tps each 3 AMX13s, a rifle tp with 4 VCIs. These re-equipped, the infantry completely with VAB APCs, the cav with AMX30's and VABs. RAPID ACTION FORCE The Force d'Action Rapide was formed from the units which could be deployed for out of area deployments, ie. outside of Metropolitan France and the deployment in West Germany, following the 1976 disbandment of the three multi-service joint commands (Intervention Froces-Forces Inter-Armees d'Intervention, Manoeuvre Forces-Forces de Manoeuvre, and Territorial Forces-Forces du Territoire). It has the dual role of power projection into France's sphere of interests (including it's primary role to reinforce 1st Army), and reinforcement of French Forces throughout the world. Comprising : 4th DAM, 6th DBL, 9th DIMa. 11th DP, 27th DA, GOLE. 9th DIMa HQ St Malo. Reconnaissance RICM (ERC-90)(Vannes). Infantry; 1 RIMa (Angouleme), 2 RIMa (Le Mans), 3 RIMa (Vannes), 41 RI (NOTE 1, 2). Artillery; 11 RAMa (La Lande d'Quee), four batteries of 6 155mm towed howitzers, one battery of 20mm AA cannons (24). Engineers, 59 CG (Angers). Support, 9 RCS (Dinan). 7,600 men. 48 MILAN systems, reported to increase to 72 on mobilisation. 56 20mm AA cannons. 16 120mm mortars. 32 81mm mortars. 24 155mm howitzers, is also reported to have 12 1055mm howitzers. 230 LRAC. 60 armoured cars (that reported to be old figure when equipped with AML's, with the ERC-90 and VABs probably 54) 1,176 wheeled vehicles (829) and trailers. NOTE : 1. 41 RI comes under the local command of 9th DIMa, its role being however is that of protection of the submarine base at Ile Longu. 2. 11 RIMa (T) (Queleren) goes to the 9th DIMa on mobilisation. 3. Formed on 1 January 1976. 6th DBL Headquarters Nimes. 1 RS (Valence), 1 REC (Orange)(both AMX-10RC); 21 RIMa (Frejus), 2 REI (Nimes) (both VAB APCs); 68 RA (La Valbonne)(four 155mm and one AD batteries); 6 REG (L'Ardoise), 6 RCS (Nimes). For organisational details see entry in divisional organisations. NOTE : 1. Formed from the 31st Brigade. 11th DP HQ Toulouse. 1 RHP (Tarbes)(AML90 and Jeeps, to receive ERC-90 in 1985); 1 RCP (Sourge), 9 RCP (Toulouse), 3 RPIMa (Carcassone), 6 RPIMa (Mont de Marsan), 8 RPIMa (Castres), 2 REP (Calvi, Corsica); 1 RPIMa (Bayonne)(training and special forces operations); 35 RAP (Tarbes)(three composite batteries of six M101 1055mm howitzers and six 20mm AA cannons, 105's can be replaced with 120mm mortars); 17 RGP (Montauban)(includes the Detachment d'Intervention Nautigue-engineer frogmen training for water recce and river crossings); 7 RPCS (Albi), 14 RPCS (Toulouse), 1 BPCS (Albi)(air resupply and heavy equipment drop). 16,500 men. 154 MILAN systems. 51 20mm AA cannons. 54 120mm mortars. 48 81mm mortars. 18 M101 105mm howitzers. 535 LRAC. 62 ERC-90 (to replace AML and Jeeps). 2,200 wheeled vehicles and trailers. NOTE : 1. For in Europe role, 11th DP organised into: 1st Brigade; 9 RCP, 3 and 8 RPIMa, 17 RPCS. 2nd Brigade; 1 RCP, 6 RPIMa, 2 REP, 14 RPCS. Other units under direct divisional command. 2. For the out of theatre role, Groupment Aeroporte is formed (HQ Albi, is commonly known as the Albi Group), comprising the 3, 8 RPIMa and 2 REP, with 17 RPCS and professional battery, recce squadron and engineer company. The 1 RPIMa will supply special forces companies. 3. If deployed by air the division has 547 wheeled vehicles and trailers and 25 armoured cars. 4. The HQ battery of 35 RAP has a number of US Stinger SAM systems, these delived to the division when in operations in Chad against Libyan forces, these the only ones in French service. 27th DA Headquarters Grenoble. 4 RCh (Gap)(AML, reconnaissance); 93 RAM (Varces)(24 M101 105mm howitzers, or with 105mm OTO pack howitzers); 7 BGDA (Avignon), 27 RCS, attached 27th Helicopter Squadron (Gap)(3 Alouette III's and 7 Alouette II's) 5th Demi-Brigade Headquarters Gap. 6 BCA (Varces-Grenoble), 7 BCA (Bourg-St-Maurice), 13 BCA (Chambery). 7th Demi-Brigade Headquarters Annecy. 159 RIA (Briancon), 11 BCA (Barcelonnette), 27 BCA (Annecy). 8,800 men. 36 MILAN systems. 18120mm mortars. 36 81mm mortars. 24 20mm AA cannons. 24 105mm towed (either M101 or Pack Howitzer). 46 LRAC. 32 AML armoured cars. 1,134 wheeled vehicles and trailers. NOTE : 1. Formed from the 17th and 27th Alpine Brigades, 1 August 1976. 2. Whilst it is considered to be an 'elite' organisation, the 27th is mainly made up of conscripts, and therefore there would be a problem in deploying it out of France/West Germany. GOLE Is a brigade sized task force headquarters for the tactical employment of Foreign Legion units outside of Metropolitan France, HQ is drawn from the commander and personnel of 1 REI at Aubagne. 4th DAM HQ Nancy. 1 RI (Sarrebourg)(NOTE 2); 1 RHC (Phalsbourg), 3 RHC (Etain-Rouvres and Metz), 5 RHC (Pau)(NOTE 3). Organisation to be divisional HQ, HQ company, two task force headquarters, one airmobile infantry regiment (with possibily 96 MILAN systems), three helicopter combat regiments, and a specific for 4th DAM RCS. 6,400 men (7,000 on mobilisation). 185 VABs. 48 (possibily 96) MILAN systems. 30 20mm AA cannons. 12 120mm mortars. 8 81mm mortars. 60 LRAC AT weapons. 1,200 wheeled vehicles and trailers. 130 SA.341/342 Gazelle helicopters; 10 liaison, 30 with 20mm cannon, 90 SA.342 with HOT ATGMs. 84 Puma transport helicopters. NOTE : 1. All units to be eventually based in Northeast France. 2. Ex- I Corps. 3. 1 and 3 RHC ex I Corps, 5 RHC ex 11th DP (this regiment while probably remain under operational command of 11th DP for out of area operations and only under 4th DAM in time of war. 4. Ten Gazelle and 24 Puma's belong to the 4th DAM's command and support units. 4th DAM is to operate as a offensive airmobile unit on the NATO Central Front. It's single Headquarters to allow the massing of airmobile firepower, it's two task force headquarters would permit the formation of RHC with airmobile infantry to engage a Soviet armoured division penetration. So it could in theory take on three such Soviet divisions simultaneously. ARMY AVIATION ALAT - Aviation Legere de l'Armee de Terre. A large organisation equipped mainly with helicopters (although there are fixed wing aircraft for liaison duties), whilst aviation units exist all all levels of the French Army, the RHC is the main combat element. Regiments d'Helicopter de Combat - helicopter combat regiments - RHC. The regimental headquarters combines the activies of reconnaissance, combat and troop carrying helicopters (all interacting with each other) under one tactical headquarters. This coordination of the RHC's squadrons would allow the helicopter insertion of light infantry with a lavish allotment of MILANs and other tank killing weapons (LARC and AT mines) to block a Soviet tank advance, especially if it has penetrated the front line, with the anti-tank Gazelle's attacking the enemies flanks. In the mobile battle the RHCs have a very important role of target acquisition and reconnaissance, they have a major role in the support of ground based reconnaissance units in the screening, harassing and economy of force missions. A RHC is organised as : Headquarters Flight (includes two Pumas fitted out as aerial command posts). Two Light Observation Squadrons each with 10 Gazelle's. In the 4th DAM's RHC's replaced by a single Support and Protection Squadron with 10 20mm cannon armed Gazelle's. Three Anti-Tank Squadrons equipped with either 10 Gazelles with HOT ATGM or 10 Aluette IIIs with SS-11 ATGM. Two tactical Helicopter Transport Squadrons each 10 Puma's. 21 officers. 122 NCOs (most pilots in ALAT are NCOs) 204 other ranks. 240 wheeled vehicles and trailers. Six 20mm AA cannons. Two Thomson-CSF Spartiate TRS2300 mobile radars for night and poor weather operations. A rifle company can be put under the direct command of the RHC headquarters. In the 4th DAM RHC's, most of the support functions can be transferred to the RCS and other divisional units. The two tactical Puma squadrons can carry an infantry regiment to support the ATGM armed helicopters, moving it in two lifts 100 kms in two hours (the independent infantry regiments of I and II Corps were specific for this mission) NOTE : 1. 206 Alouette II, 68 Alouette III with SS11 missiles, 130 Puma, 165 SA.341F, 90 SA.342M with HOT missiles helicopters, (320 SA.341/342 on order). COMBAT SUPPORT Each Corps (including the Rapid Action Force, to form) are supposed to have: 1. Corps Support Troops, one signals exploitation (signals intelligence) regiment (1,410 men), two signals network regiments (900 men each), a NBC defence Bn, a traffic control regiment. 2. Corps Logistics Brigade, of 13,000 men. HQ and staff coy. Four Administrative Companies. One light signals company. Three Transport Regiments. Two POL Companies. One Equipment Supply Group. Three Equipment Recovery Groups. Two Ammunition Companies. One Nuclear Artillery Support Group (not in the Rapid Action Force). Three Aviation Support Groups (these will alter when the 4th DAM fully formed). Three Medical Companies. One Medical Service Supply Company. Nine Forward Surgical Hospitals. Two Evacuation Medical Hospitals. Two Evacuation Surgical Hospitals. Two Air-Transportable Hospitals. NOTE : 1. These Corps logistics units are mainly cadres that require reservist to fill a total of 62% of their establishments, many former volunteers (those with technical training) fill these units also. 2. The brigades are established for 14,500 men, and 4,500 wheeled vehicles and trailers. MILITARY REGIONS (In France) The geographic commands of the French Army parallel closely the nation's civil government organisation, the 95 departments of the Nation come under the geographical area of six Military Regions (these paralleling the six Defence Regions - region de defense; there were formerly 7). These military and the defence regions parallel also with the Gendarmarie regions, also the recruiting and mobilisation areas, civil defence, civil police (and other law-enforcement agencies) and firefighting units. In time of war all of these agencies would could under the operational command of the Military Regions. 22 Military Divisions are formed within these six Military Regions, each numbered in series from the prime number of the Region, ie 6th Military Region has 61st, 62nd, 63rd, 64th and 65th military divisions. These are not operational formations (sometimes translated in 'territorial divisions), but, are administrative headquarters for all units located within their geographical area. All units listed under the command of military regions are reserve, unless otherwise noted. This does not mean the same as reserve in Britain or the USA, apart from having a professional cadre these units will also have a training role, and in many cases have company(s) sized conscript sub-units performing their military service. Other units just have a cadre and are mobilization units. There would appear to be no rhyme nor reason as to the units organisation. Those units attached to training schools would appear to be on full establishments. The equipment is in the main obsolescent (if not actually obsolete, especially in regard signals communications and transport). There are three types of conscript reservists: First Class, those conscripts who have completed their 12 months military obligation service; on the First Class Reserve for four years. Those with the most recent experience of military service become individual reinforcements to the Field Army units, from June 1984 those who completed their military service within the previous 12 months to return on mobilisation directly to their former regiments (this would accelerate mobilisation).. Some 90,000 reservists are required to bring units up to establishment; 15% to the divisions; 25% to corps troops, and 60% to combat and service support units. Some receive five days training a year. Large scale short service constription produces a large pool of reserve manpower, 4,160,000 in the reserve pool in 1984, with only 565,000 required to fill the established mobilisation positions. Second Class, after four years the reservist passes to the second class reserve for a further 13 year obligation, being on mobilisation being assigned to the reserve regiments in the Military Region's. Since the vast number of reservist still on obligation would far exceed the requirements of these regiments, it would be persumed that the younger and fitter men would be used as replacements for casualties? Third Class, these are active and reserve members of the Gendarmerie, who are under civilian command in peacetime, and would only pass to the military command upon mobilisation. 1st MILITARY REGION HQ Paris. 1st Brigade de Zone 8 RCh (Jeep, recce)(Olivet); 56 RA (Sevres)(air defence 40mm), 93 RI(Versailles), 101 RI (Massey), 70 RIMa (Vitry-Chatillon); 152 CG; 102 RCS (Versailles). 12th Military Division HQ Versailles. 12 RD (Pannes Loiret), 29 RD (Sourdun, Provins) these two cavalry regiments in a security/reconnaissance role; 120 RI (Fontainbleau). 13th Military Division HQ Tours. 6 RCh (Rambouillet/Chartres) this cavalry regiment in a security/reconnaissance role; 66 RI (Azay-le-Rideau). 90 RI (Chateau-Renault), 95 RID (Bourges), 131 RI (Blois)(Commando School), 32 RI (Tours). 2nd MILITARY REGION HQ Lille. 2nd Brigade de Zone 5 RCh (Laon, to move)(Jeep, recce),13 RCh (La Valbonne) (AML), 18 RCh (Arras)(Jeep, recce); 22 RAMa (Folembray)(M101 105mm howitzers); 45 RI (Aisne), 127 RI (Valenciennes), 128 RI (Compaiegne) 239 RI (Rouen); 158 CG (Soissons), 162 CG (Oisel); 112 RCS (Sissonne). 21st Military Division HQ Lille 243 RI (Lille). 22nd Military Division HQ Amiens 87 RI (St Quentin). 23rd Military Division HQ Rouen. 174 RI (Le Havre) 3rd MILITARY REGION HQ Rennes 3rd Brigade de Zone 19 RD (Vannes)(Jeep, recce), 3 RCh(T)(Saumur, attached to Armour Centre)(AML, EBR); 2 RI (Alecon), 62 RI (Vannes), 117 RI (Le Mans), 77 RI (Angers), 115 RI (Nantes), 137 RI (La Rochelle), 11 RIMa (T) (Queleren) (to 9th DIMa on mobilisation); 29 RCS (Dinan). 31st Military Division HQ Rennes. 70 RI (St Jacques). 32nd Military Division HQ Caen. 36 RI (Caen). 33rd Military Division HQ Nantes. 9 RI (Nantes) 4th MILITARY REGION HQ Bordeaux. 4th Brigade de Zone 9 RCh (Perigueux)(AML), 10 RH (Tarbes)(Jeep, recce); 15 RI (Castres), 18 RI (Pau), 34 RI (Mont-de-Marsan), 50 RI (Souge), 83 RI (Toulouse), 100 RI (Brive-la-Gaillarde), 107 RI (Angouleme), 144 RI (Souge); 161 CG (Bordeaux) 165 CG (Pau); 115 RCS (Brive-la-Gaillarde). 41st Military Division HQ Bordeaux. 49 RI (Bordeaus). 42nd Military Division HQ Poitiers. 114 RI (T)(Niort)(attached to the NCO School) 43rd Military Division HQ Limoges. 44th Military Division HQ Toulouse. 20 RI (Montauban), 122 RI (Rodez) 5th MILITARY REGION HQ Lyons. 5th Brigade de Zone 96 RI (in Languedoc Region), 275 RI (Valence), 292 RI (Clermont-Ferrand), 299 RI (Lyons). 3 RI (T)(Garriagnes, Nimes)(attached to EAI, to 152nd DI on mobilisation). 152nd DI (Reserve) (NOTE 4). HQ Montpellier. 19 RCh (Carpiagne, attached CIABC)(EBR); 15, 22, 47, 53, 67 BCA's; 140 RIA; 85 and 164 CGs. 51st Military Division HQ Lyons. 46 RCh (Grenoble); 22 RI (Sathonay), 30 RI (Annecy), 52 RI(Valance); 38 RID (St Etienne). 52nd Military Division HQ Clermont-Ferreand. 86 RI (Le Puy); 121 RID (may be cadre). 53rd Military Division HQ Marseilles. 72 RI ((Marseilles), 112 RI (Cassis), 163 RI (Nice). 54th Military Division HQ Montpellier. 96 RI (Languedoc Region, link with 96 RI above), 141 RI (Mende)(is also shown as beloning to 5th Brigade de Zone; 7 RIMa (Frejus); 142 RID (? cadre). 55th Military Division HQ Bastia, Corsica. 173 RI (Bastia), 373 RI (Southern Corsica). 6th MILITARY REGION HQ Metz. The commander of I Corps also commands the 6th Military Region. 6th and 7th Brigade de Zone 10 RCh (Jeep recce) (Sedan), 15 RCh (AML and Jeep recce) (Verdun), 149 RI (Luneville), 37 RI (Sarrebourg) 61st Military Division HQ Nancy. 69 RI (Essey-les-Nancy), 146 RI (Metz), 226 RI (mobilization) (Nancy), 79 RID (St Avold), 155 RID (Verdun), 164 RID (mobilization); 62 RA (105mm howitzers)(Metz). 62nd Military Division HQ Strasbourg. 158 RI (Strasbourg), 59 RA (40mm AD guns, mobilization ?). Rhine Division (a engineer river-crossing unit with M2 amphibious vehicles, pontoons and bridging) 63rd Military Division HQ Chalons-sur-Marne. 106 RI (Chalons-sur-Marne) 64th Military Division HQ Dijon. 16 RG (Dijon) 65th Military Division HQ Desancon. 44RI (in the Department of Doubs), 56 RI (Lons-le-Saunier), 172 RI (Luxeuil-les-Bains). NOTE : 1. It is the intention (?) to create one regiment interarmees divisionnaire in each Military Division, these 22 RIAD would be full time units of a skeleton of professionals and conscripts, persumably replacing the 'hot-potch' of units currently in existance, fleshed out by First Class reservists. Each with a AML armoured car company and three rifle companies, to be rapidly mobilised with the role of protecting French territory from airborne and commando attack. While the seven brigades de zone de defence would have a formalised organisation of two RI's, a recconaissance battalion and one or two engineer companies each. 2. Ten DI (Reserve) HQs were disbanded in 1983-84, these were 102 (Versailles), 104 (Nancy), 108 Armiens), 109 (St Malo), 110 Chalons-surs-Marne), 111 (Toulouse), 112 (Sissonne), 114 (Lyons), 115 (Limoges), and 127 (Grenoble). The majority of their cadre and mobilisation units were disbanded. 3. The following units are also known to exist, their actual status or to what formation they come under is unknown: 32 RI(R)(Department of Indre), 91 RI(R)(Mourmelon), 133 RI (R), 134 RI (R)(Department of Saone-et-Loire), 147 RI(R); 10 RID, 28 RID(R)(Brilcoitte), 84 RID(R)(Sains-en-Amineois); 53 RIF (Mont-Louis). 4. The 152nd has the mission of defending the strategic deterrent IRBM bases on the Pateau d'Albion, and the air force strategic bombing (with Mirage IVA bombers and KC-135F tankers) bases in south east France. 5. Each Military Region HQ has a light helicopter group with 20 aircraft attached. FORCES OVERSEAS CARIBEAN MILITARY REGION: HQ Fort-de-George, Martinique Guadeloupe; 33 RIMa (900 men partially in Martinique), 41 BCS. Guyana; 9BIMa (Cayenne), 3REI (Kourou). Martinique; 33 RIMa (part), 16 BCS. EAST AFRICAN MILITARY REGION HQ Djibouti 5 RIAOM (3 rifle coys motorised in 1.5tonne trucks, 1 AMX-13 tank squadron, support coy), 13DBLE (3 rifle coys motorised in 1.5 tonne trucks, 1 AMX-10 RC recce squadron, support coy), 1 artillery battery (105mm/155mm howitzers), 10 BCS. A parachute rifle coy from 11 DP is constantly rotated through on attachment. EASTERN PACIFIC MILITARY REGION HQ Noumea, New Caledonia. Noumea, Regiment d'Infanterie de Marine Pacific (Noumea) (RIMaP(N)) Marine Infantry Regiment of the Pacific (Noumea), 42 BCS. INDIAN OCEAN MILITARY REGION HQ St Denis, La Reunion. La Reunion, 2 PRIMa, 53 BCS. Comoro Islands; Detachment de Legion Etrangere de Mayotte (DLEM), stationed at Dzaoudzi on Mayotte Island, comprising a all arms HQ and Services Coy and a rotating rifle coy (whilst usually a Legion sub-unit may be drawn from Marine parachute regiments). WEST AFRICAN MILITARY REGION HQ, Dakar, Senegal. Chad, training team, and advisors. Central African Republic, training team and advisors. Gabon, 6 BIMa (500 men), Liberville. A parachute rifle coy from 11 DP is constantly rotated through on attachment. Ivory Coast, 43 BIMa (500 men) Port Bouet. Senegal; 23 BIMa (1,300 men), Dakar. WESTERN PACIFIC MILITARY REGION HQ Papeete, Tahiti. Papeete, Regiment d'Infanterie de Marine Pacific (Papeete) (RIMPaP(P) Marine Infantry Regiment of the Pacific (Papeete), 5REI Papeete and Muraroa Atoll, 57 BCS Papeete. TROOPS FOR OUT OF AREA DEPLOYMENTS By the constitution of the Republic, conscripts cannot be sent outside of Metropolitan France to fight except for those units stationed in West Germany (are who are earmarked for)(these formerly under NATO command, but, who would fight alongside NATO in time of Soviet invasion of the Federal German Republic). Certain regiments contain conscripts who extend their service and also volunteer for external service. There are 44 regiments allocated for out-of-area service, 20 of these made up of professionals, and 24 mixed with professionals and volunteer conscripts. Professionals 13 RDP from HQ 1st Army. 11th DP; 1, 3 and 8 RPIMa, 7 RRPCS. 9th DIMa; RICM, 2 and 3 RIMa, 9RCS, 11 RAMa. 6th DBL, 21 RIMa. Overseas Garrisons, 5 RIAOM. Foreign Legion; (all professionals) 5 RE, 2, 3 and 4 REI, 1 REC, 2 REP, 13 DBLE, 6 REG. 1RE is purely a headquarters, training, and administrative unit. Mixed 11th DP; 1 RHP, 6RPIMa, 35 RAP, 17 RGP, 14 RPCS. 9th DIMa, 1 RIMa 6th DBL; 1 RS, 68 RA, 6 REG, 6 RCS. 4th DAM; 1 RI, 1 and 5 RHC. Also 7 RHC when allocated to division. 2nd DB, 501 RCC. 10th DB, 4 RD. 27th DA, 11 BCA. Overseas Garrisons (these included locally conscripted French citizens); 2 RPIMa, 9 and 43 BIMa, 23 and 33 RIMa, RIMAP(P), RIMAP(N). SUPPORT SERVICES Aumonerie – chaplains. Justice Militaire – legal services. Personnel Feminin de l'Armee de Terre (PFAT) – women's services. Pionniers – military labour, includes supervision of civilian employees. Poste Militaire – postal and courier services. Prevote – provost, those units provided by the Gendarmarie (see below). Service de Material – general stores, ammunition, electrical and mechanical equipment, supply/repair/maintenance service. Service d'Intendance – food and pay – assisted by the Tresor (military treasury, literally finance) Service Veterinaire – veterinary, also includes meat products inspection. Transmissions – signals. Train – transport and movement control. MILITARY SCHOOLS The ecole d'application – special to-arm-schools, are specific to each arm: Infanterie Montpellier Arme blindee/Cavalerie Saumur Artillerie Draguignan Genie Angers. Transmissions (signals) Montaris. Train Tours. Material Bourges. Gendarmarie Melun. THE FRENCH NAVY Fusiliers-Marines Whilst all members of the French Navy receive basic infantry training which surfiefs for that required to provide boarding parties at sea, or landing parties to aid the civil authorities or the other branches of the Armed Forces on land (a cruiser or aircraft carrier can provide a rifle company group, whilst a destroyer or frigate can provide a rifle platoon, the French Navy's land combat forces are the Fusiliers-Marines. These are not to be confused with the Marine units of the Army, these being mainly professional soldiers with a overseas garrison or intervention role. They are divided into a training organisation, and two operational bodies. The Naval Base Defence Force is some 3,100 strong, armed and trained as light infantry, with the role of providing security and defence at major naval installations. With special Gendarmerie and Army/Air Force "special weapons" (ie nuclear weapons) technical support units, they provide the motorised escort units for the nuclear warheads of the Force Nucleaire Strategique. These from the Navy strategic submarine force, air dropped weapons of the Fleet Air Arm and the Air Force Commandement des Aeriennes Strategiques; the air force intermediate range ballistic missile units, the Esquadron Missiles Strategiques 1/200 and 2/200 at the Plateau d'Albion, and the armies Pluton surface to surface tactical missiles. The majority of this force is made up of conscripts into the Navy. The GROUFUMACO (Groupement des Fusiliers-Marins Commandos) marine fusiliers commando group, is some 550 strong made up of professional servicemen. Headquarters at Lorient, the HQ of the French Western or Atlantic Fleet, under the direct command of the Commander of the French Navy. Composed of three 84 man assault commandos: Jaubert, Penfentenyo Trepel each of a HQ (18) and three assault sections (22), equipped with basic infantry weapons including LRAC AT, and 60mm mortars. A support commando: Montfort equipped with 81mm mortars, MILAN systems, flamethrowers, and assault engineering equipment. A under water attack commando: Hubert this based at Toulon with the HQ of the Mediterreaneum Fleet. Organised into a HQ and three swimmer sections (Naguers de Combat - combat swimmers), the unit is virtually identical in its operation to the Royal Marine's Special Boat Service, in its combat swimmer/small boat role. Formed from men from Hubert, is a 17 maritime anti-terrorist section under the direct command of the Ministry of Defence (manpower not part of GROUFUMACO). A reserve commando: Francois is made up of discharged professionals who volunteer for reserve service, two detachments at Toulon and Lorient. GROUFUMACO is intended to : 1. act as a unconventional warfare force, under direct command of the Ministry of Defence, 2. to support the operations of the French Fleet, 3. to support the operations of the 9th DIMa (although not under the divisions HQ) in the force projection role. 4. provide support for anti-terrorist operations outside of mainland France. THE FRENCH AIR FORCE The Air Force has ground defence organisations, these primarily concerned with air base defence, including the nuclear sites at Plateau d'Albion. Consisting of some 6,900 men in the Base Defence Force, organised into strong company sized units armed with light weapons including some 75 VAB APCs. The BDF also has shortrange air-defence batteries equipped with self propelled Crotale SAM systems. A total of some thirty units. There is also a Air Force commando unit, the Groupement des Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air (GCFA). This a strong company sized organision tasked by either the Ministry of Defence or the Air Force Command to: 1. provide air-specific unconventional warfare tasks with the speciality of parachute/airborne assault onto airfields, 2. provide personnel for aircrew rescue, 3. target acquistion and air strike control behind the lines of the enemy, including weather reconnaissance; and 4. provide support for anti-terrorist opeations outside of mainland France. With the support of the Army's engineer corps there is a Air Force engineer capability with it's main role of runway repair and construction. Main units being the 15th Regiment d'Genie Air (RGAir) at Toul, and the 25 RGAir at Companiegne, with independent companies in France and the Overseas Departments. THE GENDARMERIE NATIONALE Whilst part of the Army, it remains under the day-to-day control of the Ministry of the Interior, which is responsible for it's civil police functions within the French Community. Has 85,000 men and women (600), including 8,700 conscripts, also 950 civilians. Apart from military (army, navy and air force provost units) and police duties their missions include internal security, rear area security, maintenance of lines of communications (there are also Army traffic control units), management of the conscription and mobilisation service. Under the Minister of Justice is the Direction Gendarmerie Justice (Gendarmerie and Military Justice Directorate), which directs the force through the Sub-Department Gendarmerie. There are six (seven until 1984) regional commands each equal to and co-located with the Army's military regions, each including a aviation platoon, having under them 22 Gendarmerie districts, co-located with the army's 22 military divisions, these having under them the tactical units. It is a army within an army. Divided into the : Gendarmerie Mobile; this is the prime internal security force of France. Concentrated into barracks, and organised into Territorial Groups. These consisting of a total of 130 Companies (Escadron) each 125 strong organised into a HQ and four platoons (pelotons). Most moved by 1.5 tonne trucks, some equipped with APCs and some equipped with APCs and armoured cars (AMLs). The 1st Armoured Group (Groupement Blinde) is based at Versailles with the role of rear area and internal security in the Paris Military Region. Two Escadrons of AMX-13 light tanks, three of APC infantry and one of VBC-90 armoured cars for reconaissance. Under direct control of the Ministry of Defence is the Garde Republicaine de Paris, these the ceremonial troops of the French Republic stationed in Paris, consisting of two Escadrons of horse cavalry and four of infantry. They are the Republic's President personal bodyguard. Would form a light infantry/recce group in time of emergency, and have the Paris Fire Brigade under command! Gendarmerie Departmental; acts as the primary rural police force outside of the cities and provincial towns (with populations of less than 10,000) of France (it has an extremely important intelligence gathering function). Organised into 3,676 'brigades' of between five and 40 gendarmes in each of the nations cantons, further organised into Escadrons (in the Arrondissements) and groups (Groupements) of whom there were 128 in 1984 (in the Departments) (there was a further level of command, the Legion under a Commandement de Region, for each of the civil regions, but, this in the process of being disbanded). There are also specialised criminal investigation, traffic, river, maritime, air (including aviation units), highway patrol and mountain units. The provost (Prevote) units of the army include a parachutist escadron with the 11th Parachute Division, and motorised detachements varying between escadrons and brigades in all army formations. Conscript gendarmes equate to corporals, while professionals equate to senior NCOs. GIGN Groupement d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie National, based outside of Maisons-Alfort just outside of Paris, it is Frances anti-terrorist force available for operations anywhere within the nation, or throughout the world where French interests threatened. Organised into four 12 man teams (commander, dog handler and two 5 man intervention forces) of NCOs, with four officers (commanded by a Captain), and a 4 man training team. One team on alert status 24 hours a day for operations throughout the nation or world. All men military parachutists trained in HALO and HAHO operations, with at least one intervention force in each team trained as Naguers de Combat. A unit of very high quality, that trains (and exchanges much) with the British 22nd Special Air Service Regiment. RANK STRUCTURE Commissioned Ranks: General of Gendarmarie : Two stars Brigade General : One star Colonel : Five silver bands Lieutenant Colonel : Three silver bands with gold between Esquadron Commander : Four silver bands Captain : Three silver bands Lieutenant : Two silver bands. None Commissioned Ranks: Chief Adjutant Adjutant Marechal des Logis-Chef Gendarme 1984 weapon holdings: AFVs; 37 AMX-13's, 121 AMLs, 20 VBC-90s, 28 AMX VTT APCs, 155 VRBG APCS. 284 81mm mortars. 11 river patrol boats. Aircraft six Cessna 206, 42 Alouette II and III, eight Squirrel helicopters. Overseas Departments, 3,000 Metropolitan Gendarmes are stationed overseas, alongside locally enlisted (including conscripts) who are only obliged to serve in their own department or territory. THE HEALTH SERVICE The Service de Sante, provides, medical, dental, nursing, hygiene, pharmacological, and psychological support (including the armys field medical units) to the three services and the Gendarmaries (their forensic laboratories), with military (including conscripts) and civilian personnel. An important part of their role, probably unique to the armed forces of France, being the medical supervision of military authorised brothels! THE RECRUITING SERVICE Also a tri-service organisation, it is responsible for the conscription service, the enlistment of professionals including Gendarmes, and the administration of reservists. Also includes the Personnel Records and History Department. All male French citizens on reaching 18 become liable for military service, some 75% of each annual contingent being inducted. Professionals are enlisted for five year engagements. THE PETROLEUM, OIL AND LUBRICANT LOGISTICS SERVICE The Service des Essences. As it's name states, it is responsible for all such services to the Armed Forces of France. In the static environment and in the field, it also provides specialists on board naval support vessels. POLICE NATIONALE Formed in 1968 by the amalgamation of the Surete Nationale and the Paris Prefecture de Police. The National Police is responsible for all towns and cities with a population greater than 10,000, all of it's members must have completed military service obligations (most as Gendarmarie conscripts or in the parachute division). Apart from its Public Security Police, the Police Ubaine (the uniformed police) and the Police Judiciaire (Criminal Police or plain clothes police) there is the CRS. COMPAGNIES REPUBLICAINES de SECURITE The Security Company's of the Republic. These the anti-riot public order police, universally loathed throughout France, who act as a central police for such things as police raids, sweeps on illegal residents, 'blitzes' on the main roads and motorways. There are 60, 230 strong, highly mobile, self contained CRS, equipped with light infantry weapons, although rifles and sub-machine guns being the main - there are light machine guns and 60mm mortars held in their barracks armouries. The Police Ubaine has a number of hostage rescue/police special operations teams, organised on a permanent basis in the larger cities, and on a part time basis in local areas. MILITARY WEAPONS SYSTEMS MBT : 1,102 AMX-30 (635 to be enhanced to AMX-30B2), 165 AMX-30B2 with a further 165 to be delivered. There are 12 AMX-30 bridgelayers, a totally inadquate number. Light Tanks : 500 AMX-13 (the majority with 90mm guns), 158 mount four SS-11 ATGMs (these usually have 75mm guns). Armoured Cars : 189 AMX-10RC (Roues Canon), 211 on order. 300 EBR (retrofitted with 90mm guns) these in service with training and reserve regiments only. 680 AML with either 90mm cannons or 12.7mm HMG and 60mm mortars (many seen actually have a single 7.62mm MG and mortar). 110 ERC-90 Sagaie (to be a total of 175) to serve with the 9th DIMa and 11th DP, also Marine units stationed overseas. VBC 90, 32 serve with the Gendarmerie. APCs and IFVs 834 AMX-10 (770 on order) 1,100 AMX-13 VTT 1,974 VAB 42 VAB HOT 155 VBRG with the Gendarmerie. Artillery 218 BF-50 155mm guns. 150 TR 155 guns on order. 216 F3 155mm SP guns. 60 AUF-1 155mm SP guns (210 on order). 50 AU-50 105mm SP howitzers. 165 M101 105mm howitzers (also a small number of 105mm OTO pack howitzers) 55 MLRS on order. 44 Pluton launchers with 100 plus missiles (to be replaced by HADES). 960 Tarasque 20mm AA cannons being delivered. 390 assorted 30 and 40mm AA guns. 69 AMX-13 DCA twin 30mm SP AA guns. 69 Improved HAWK triple missile launchers. 128 Roland SAM launchers (Air Force has Crotale system). Mistral SR AA missile system on order in large quantities. Infantry Weapons FA MAS 5.56mm assault rifle. M1949/56 7.5mm self loading rifles. (Both rifles fitted to fire rifle grenades which are the standard light AT weapon). FR-F1 7.62mm marksman rifle. MAT49 9mm SMG. AA52 7.62mm GPMG 12.7mm M2 HMG. 596 120-60 and 120-LT 120mm mortars. 81-61C and 81-61L 81mm medium mortars (60mm light mortars held for special units) 12,000 LRAC AT weapons. 83 SS11 ATGM systems. 1,400 MILAN AT systems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perun Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 (edited) This is interesting. Thanks mate. Here are some data for 1985. I hope it will help Armée française 1985 créé par Tanaka le 15/08/2003, modifié par Tanaka le 19/05/2015 Cet article n'est plus tenu à jour à partir du 6 juin 2015. Pour obtenir des informations en ce qui concerne l'ordre de bataille de l'Armée de Terre Française à cette date, il faut dorénavant aller à cet endroit Etat-Major de l'Armée de Terre (Paris) : Éléments organiques des Etats-Majors : 6RCh (Rambouillet) - 24RI (Vincennes) - 1RT (Paris) - 8RT (Paris) - 41RT (Suresnes) 1er Commandement de la Logistique (Metz) : 121RT (Montlhéry) - 503RT (La-Rochelle) - 505RT (Vienne) - 515RT (Brie) - 525RT (Arras) - 585RT (Moulins) - 519RT (La-Rochelle) - 504GTP (La-Rochelle) - 506GTP (La-Rochelle) - 509GTP (La-Rochelle) - 514GTP (La-Rochelle) - 1RLA (Montigny-les-Metz) 1ère Armée : Éléments Organiques : 40EQG (Strasbourg) - 13RDP (Dieuze) - 6RA (Phalsbourg) - 7RA (Nevers) - 28GG (Joigny) - 1EL (Baden-Naden) Commandement de l'Artillerie : 401RA (Draguignan) - 402RA (Châlons-sur-Marne) - 403RA (Chaumont) Commandement des Transmissions : 40RT (Thionville) - 44RT (Landau) - 54RT (Haguenau) 1er Corps d'Armée : Éléments Organiques : QG (Metz) - 8RH (Altkirch) - 7RHC (Essey-les-Nancy) - 2RG (Metz) - 57RT (Mulhouse) - 18RT (Epinal) - 54RT (Essey-les-Nancy) Commandement de l'Artillerie : 3RA (Mailly) - 12RA (Oberhoffen) - 15RA (Suippes) - 54RA (Verdun) - 57RA (Bitche) Brigade Logistique : 511RT (Auxonne) - 516RT (Toul) - 508RT (Chaumont) - 602RCR (Dijon) - 101GRM (Verdun) - 102GRM (Sarrebourg) - 103GRM (Mulhouse) 7e Division Blindée : 7RCS (Besançon) - EED7 (Valdahon) - 3RC (Luneville) - 1RD (Lure) - 5RD (Valdahon) - 35RI (Belfort) - 170RI (Epinal) - 1RA (Montbeliard) - 8RA (Commercy) - 60RA (Canjuers) - 19RG (Besançon) 10e Division Blindée : 10RCS (Chalons-sur-Marne) - EED10 (Mourmelon) - 4RD (Mourmelon) - 2RCh (Verdun) - 503RCC (Mourmelon) - 150RI (Verdun) - 151RI (Metz) - 1GC (Reims) - 3RAMa (Verdun) - 34RG (Epernay) 15e Division d'Infanterie : 15RCS (Limoges) - 5RCh (Perigeux) - 92RI (Clermont-Ferrand) - 99RI (Sathonay) - 126RI (Brives) - 20RA (Poitiers) - 31RG (Castelsarasin) 12e Division Légère Blindée (1CA) : QG (Saumur) - 12RCS (Tours) - 3RCh (Fontevraud) - 507RCC (Fontevraud) - 3RCP (Pau) - 114RI (Coetquidan) - 33RA (Réserve, Poitiers) - 62/6RG (Angers) 2eme Corps d'Armée : Éléments Organiques : QG (Baden Oos) - 3RH (Pforzheim) - 2RHC (Friedrischshaffen) - 42RT (Rastatt) - 51RT (Tréves) - 53RT (Fribourg) Commandement de l'Artillerie : 32RA (Oberhoffen) - 74RA (Belfort) - 51RA (Bitburg) - 53RA (Vieux Brisach) Brigade Logistique : 135RT (Karlsruhe) - 512RT (Bitburg) - 521RT (Karlsruhe) - 601RCR (Achern) - 201GRM (Tréves) - 202GRM (Rastatt) - 203GRM (Fribourg) 1e Division Blindée : 1RCS (Tréves) - EED1 (Saint Wendel) - 1RC (Saint Wendel) - 6RD (Saarburg) - 153RI (Mutzig) - 8GC (Wittlich) - 16GC (Saarburg) - 61RA (Morhange) - 9RAMa (Tréves) - 13RG (Tréves) 3e Division Blindée : 3RCS (Fribourg) - EED3 (Stetten) - 12RC (Mulheim) - 3RD (Stetten) - 42RI (Offenburg) - 152RI (Colmar) - 19GC (Willingen) - 11RA (Offenbourg) - 34RA (Mulheim) - 9RG (Neuf-Brisach) 5e Division Blindée : 5RCS (Landau) - EED5 (Landau) - 2RC (Reutlingen) - 4RC (Bitche) - 5RC (Kaiserslautern) - 110RI (Donaueschingen) - 2GC (Neustadt) - 24GC (Tubingen) - 2RA (Landau) - 24RA (Reutlingen) - 10RG (Spire) 3e Corps d'Armée : Éléments Organiques : QG (Saint-Germain-en-Laye) - 2RH (Sourdun) - 24RI (Vincennes) - 6RHC (Compiégne) - 13GHL (Compiégne) - 58RT (Maison Lafitte) - 28RT (Laval) - 71RG (Oissel) Commandement de l'Artillerie : 4RA (Laon) - 58RA (Douai) Brigade Logistique : 517RT (Vernon) - 522RT (Auneau) - 625RCR (Arras) - 301GRM (Fontainebleau) - 302GRM (Beauvais) 2e Division Blindée : 2RCS (Versailles) - EED2 (Rambouillet) - 6RC (Olivet) - 2RD (Laon) - 501RCC (Rambouillet) - 5RI (Beynes) - 39RI (Rouen) - RMT (Montlhéry) - 40RA (Suippes) - 1RAMa (Montlhéry) - 5RG (Versailles) 8e Division d'Infanterie : 8RCS (Amiens) - 7RCh (Arras) - 8RI (Noyon) - 67RI (Soissons) - 94RI (Sissonne) - 41RAMa (La Fére) - 2/23RG (Oissel) 14e Division Légère Blindée (3CA) : 81RCS (Montpellier) - 1RCh (Canjuers) - 11RC (Carpiagne) - 3RI (Nimes) - 4REI (Castelnauday) - 19RA (Draguignan) - 13RA (Réserve, Draguignan) - 2/64RG Force d'Action Rapide : 4e Division Aéromobile : 4RHCMS (Nancy) - 1RHC (Phalsbourg) - 3RHC (Etain) - 5RHC (Pau) - 1RI (Sarrebourg) 6e Division Légère Blindée : 6RCS (Nîmes) - 1RS (Valence) - 1REC (Orange) - 21RIMa (Fréjus) - 2REI (Nimes) - 68RA (Valbonne) - 6REG (L'Ardoise) 9e Division d'Infanterie de Marine : 9RCS (Nantes) - 1RIMa (Angoulème) - RICM (Vannes) - 2RIMa (Le Mans) - 3RIMa (Vannes) - 11RAMa (La Lande d'Ouée) - 6RG (Angers) 11e Division Parachutiste : 14RPCS (Toulouse) - 1RHP (Tarbes) - 1RCP (Souges) - 9RCP (Pamiers) - 1RPIMa (Bayonne) - 3RPIMa (Carcassonne) - 6RPIMa (Mont de Marsan) - 8RPIMa (Castres) - 2REP (Calvi) - 35RAP (Tarbes) - 17RGP (Montauban) 27e Division Alpine : 27RCS (Grenoble) - 4RCh (Gap) - 6BCA (Varces) - 7BCA (Bourg-St-Maurice) - 11BCA (Barcelonnette) - 13BCA (Chambéry) - 27BCA (Annecy) - 159RIA (Briançon) - 93RAM (Varces) - 7BG (Avignon) 1RM (Saint-Germain-en-Laye) : Éléments organiques : 76RI (Vincennes) - 90RI 102e Brigade de Zone (Saint-Germain-en-Laye) : 102RCS (Versailles) - 8RCh (Olivet) - 93RI (Beynes) - 70RIMa (Monthléry) - 152CG (Versailles) - 162CG 2RM (Lille) : Éléments organiques : 54RI - 239RI - 243RI 108e Brigade de Zone : 108RCS (Amiens) - 18RCh (Arras) - 45RI - 87RI - 158CG - 168CG 3RM (Rennes) : Éléments organiques : 2RI - 48RI - 137RI 109e Brigade de Zone : 109RCS (Dinan) - 19RD (Vannes) - 62RI - 117RI - 159CG - 169CG 4RM (Bordeaux) : Éléments organiques : 15RI - 100RI - 107RI - 144RI - 49RI - 88RI 115e Brigade de Zone : 115RCS (Limoges) - 9RCh (Périgueux) - 18RI - 34RI - 165CG - 175CG 5RM (Lyon) : Éléments organiques : 141RI - 142RI - 173RI - 292RI - 373RI - 53RI - 15BCA - 22BCA - 53BCA 127e Brigade de Zone : 127RCS (Grenoble) - 13RCh (Gap) - 140RIA - 67BCA - 177CG - 187CG 152e Division d'Infanterie : 152RCS - 19RCh (Draguignan) - 86RI (Issoire) - 4RIMa (Fréjus) - 24RIMa (Perpignan) - 19RA (Draguignan) 6RM (Metz) : Éléments organiques : 10RI - 26RI - 37RI - 60RI - 106RI 107e Brigade de Zone : 107RCS (Besançon) - 10RCh (Lunéville) - 23RI - 149RI - 67CG - 167CG 110e Brigade de Zone : 110RCS (Châlons-sur-Marne) - 15RCh (Verdun) - 164RI - 41GC - 160CG - 170CG https://www.tanaka-world.net/?p=444 Edited June 21, 2022 by Perun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Dutch Posted June 22, 2022 Author Share Posted June 22, 2022 On 6/21/2022 at 9:02 PM, Captain Hurricane said: I think this is what you are after: Captain Hurricane Yes. Thanks for the info. Greetings Crazy Dutch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Dutch Posted June 22, 2022 Author Share Posted June 22, 2022 23 hours ago, Perun said: This is interesting. Thanks mate. Here are some data for 1985. I hope it will help Perun Thanks for youre info. Greetings Crazy Dutch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perun Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 No problem mate, glad that I could help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perun Posted July 5 Share Posted July 5 (edited) On 6/21/2022 at 9:02 PM, Captain Hurricane said: I think this is what you are after: THE LAND FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE 1984 These notes pertain to the French Army as of 1984 and the 1985 reorganisations. They are taken from 'umpire handbooks', French Army handouts, the National Defence Telephone Directory and my personal notes taken in 1984 and 1985. Subsequent notes from the 1980's show that this organisation stayed until the disintegration of the Warsaw Pact, and the end of the Cold War. CONTENTS: Unit abbreviations. Rifle Companies of the various types of regiments. Regimental Organisations. Divisional Organisations Army Organisation. Other Services. French Navy. French Air Force. Gendarmarie. Health Service. Recruiting Service. Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants Service. Police National UNIT ABBREVIATIONS BCA Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins, Alpine (mountain) rifle battalion BGDA Bataillon Genie de Division Alpine, Mountain division engineer battalion BMGLE Bataillon Mixte de Genie Legion Etrangere, Foreign Legion Mixed Engineer Battalion, composed of field and construction engineer sub-units. CG Companie de Genie, engineer company CIABC Centre d'Instruction Arme Blindee Cavalerie, the Cavalry and Armoured Troops Instruction Centre, the armour school. CPCIT Centre de Perfectionnement de Cadres et d'Instruction des Tireurs, Advanced Training Center for Instructors of the Gunners ie. the Gunnery School. DA Division Alpine, mountain division. DAM Division Aeromobile, Airmobile division. DB Division Blindee, armoured division DBL Division Blindee Legere, Light armoured division. DBLE Demi-Brigade Legion Etrangere, Foreign Legion Half Brigade, traditional title for a Legion regiment. Demi-Brigade is used by the 27th DA for it's two brigades. DI Division d'Infanterie, Infantry division. DP Division Parachutiste, Parachute division. EAA Ecole d'Application d'Artillery, Artillery Tactical School. EAABC Ecole d'Application Arme Blindee Cavalry, Cavalry and Armoured Troops Tactical School. EAI Ecole d'Application d'Infanterie, Infantry Tactical School. GHL Groupement d'Helicopters Legers, Light Helicopter Group. GC Groupement de Chasseurs, light infantry group, traditional name for a mechanised infantry battalion. Ma suffix indicating Marine (troops) P suffix indicating Parachutiste. RA Regiment d'Artillerie, Artillery Regiment. RAM Regiment d'Artillerie Montagne, Mountain artillery regiment. RAP Regiment d'Artillery Parachutiste, Parachute artillery regiment. RC Regiment Cuirassier, traditional title for heavy cavalry, a armoured regiment. RCC Regiment de Chars de Combat, Tank Regiment. RCh Regiment de Chasseurs, Light Infantry Regiment, traditional unit title. RCP Regiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes, Parachute Light Infantry Regiment. RCR Regiment de Circulation Routiere, Road Traffic Control Regiment. RCS Regiment de Commandement et de Soutien, Command and Control Regiment with logisitics and support services to a formation headquarters. RD Regiment Dragons, Dragoon regiment traditional title for a tank regiment. RDP Regiment Dragons Parachutistes, Parachute dragoon regiment, a special warfare unit. REC Regiment Etrange de Cavalerie, Foreign Legion Cavalry Regiment. REG Regiment Etranger de Genie, Foreign Legion Engineer Regiment, a field engineer unit. REI Regiment Etranger d'Infantrie, Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment. REP Regiment Etranger de Parachutistes, Foreign Legion Parachute Regiment. RG Regiment de Genie, Engineer Regiment, a field engineer unit. RH Regiment Hussards, Hussar Regiment, light cavalry/reconnaissance regiment. RHC Regiment d'Helicopteres de Combat, Helicopter Combat Regiment. RHP Regiment Hussards Parachutistes, Parachute Hussars Regiment, the reconnaissance regiment for the parachute division. RI Regiment d'Infanterie RIA Regiment d'Infanterie Alpine, Alpine Infantry Regiment, a traditional title, the unit the same as the BCA above. RIAOM Regiment Inter-Armees Outre Mer, Combined Arms Regiment for Overseas Service, a Marine regular unit. RICM Regiment d'Infantrie Chars de Marine, Marine Infantry Armoured Regiment, a traditional title for a reconaissance regiment. RID Regiment d'Infantrie Divisionnaire, Reserve Infantry Regiment. RIF Regiment d'Infantrie de Frontiere, Frontier Infantry Regiment, a static defensive role unit that occuppied/manned certain modernised sections of the Maginot Line. RPIMa Regiment de Parachutiste d'Infantrie Marine, Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment. RS Regiment Spahis, Spahis Regiment, a traditional title (from the Colonial Army in Algeria), a armoured regiment. RT Regiment Transmissions, Signals Regiment. R suffix indicating a reserve unit. T suffix indicating an active force unit used for training duties in support of schools in peacetime. THE FRENCH ARMY Rifle Companies of the various types of regiments. Mechanised infantry regt : 17 AMX-10 APCs, 8 MILAN systems. Coy HQ 1 AMX, 4 rifle pls each 3 AMX with a pl HQ 1 officer and 6 (divided between the 3 APCs), 3 rifle sections of commander, sharpshooter (tiralleur) 4 two man teams (1 vehicle crew, 1 AT, 1 LMG, 1 rifle), 10 rifles, 1 LRAC AT weapon and 1 AA52 LMG. AT pl with 4 AMX and 8 two man MILAN teams, normally deploys as HQ element (8 men) with coy HQ, each of the other AMX mounted sections (6 men) with a rifle pl. The reason why 11 small arms for 10 men in rifle section, the sharpshooter either used his marksman rifle or a FAMAS depending upon role. Each AMX had 2 men, driver and gunner (Corporal) permanently assisigned, with sub-unit commander taking over a vehicle commander when mounted. Normally the AT and one rifle pl has a senior NCO (Adjutant or Adjutant Chef) as pl commander. NOTE: Mechanised inf regts are starting to convert to a structure of 3 mech rifle coys and 1 AMX-30 tank coy rather than 2 rifle and 2 AMX-13 tank coys. Similarly armoured regts are giving up their rifle coys (called esquadrons). Armoured regt: As above but no AT pl Infantry regts: Coy HQ 2 VABs (wheeled APCs), 3 rifle pls as above, but with VABs instead of AMX. Weapons pl; AT section 1 VAB 2 MILANs, AA section 2 20mm AA cannons towed by VABs, mortar sect 2 81mm mortars with 3 VABs (1 for pl commander). Total 17 VABs Alpine Chasseur regt: Coy HQ, 3 rifle pls as above, but, only 1 LRAC held by pl HQ. May be issued with VABs. Airborne inf regt: Coy HQ, 4 rifle pls as above, 1 weapons pl with 2 MILAN teams and 2 81mm mortars. A pool of 12-16 LRACs held by coy HQ for issue to the pls as required. Marine infantry regt: COy HQ, 3 rifle pls as above, but with 3 additional LRACs held by pl HQ. Weapons pl 2 81mm morts, 2 20mm AA cannons.. May be issued with VABs. Infantry Anti-Tank Company Armoured Divisions 140 officers and men, 3 pls of 4 HOT missile armed VABs. Infantry Divisions have 1 similar, whilst 6th DLB has 2. AMX-13 tank coy Mechanised inf regt: HQ 1 AMX-13, 2 pls each 4 AMX-13s, 1 ATGM pl with 4 AMX-13s with SS-11 missiles (in addition to main weapon). REGIMENTAL ORGANISATIONS Infantry Regiment VAB mounted; HQ coy, combat support coy with 120mm mortar pl with 6 120mm mortars, recce pl with 9 Jeeps, AT pl with 4 Jeep mounted MILAN systems; four rifle coys as shown above. NOTE : 1. These regiments can at full strength put just under 250 infantrymen on the ground. Mechanised infantry regiment: RHQ 2 AMX-10, 2 AMX-10PC. HQ Coy, Coy HQ, HQ pl, services groupment, protection, signals, command support, fuel/munitions pls), heavy mortar pl with 6 120mm towed 12-6 mortars, and 8 VABs. 2 tank coys, HQ with 1 AMX-30, 1 AMX-10PC, 3 tank pls each 3 AMX-30's, 1 rifle pl 3 AMX-10s. 2 rifle coys as above. NOTE: 1. 1,000 all ranks, 20 AMX-30, AMX-10 variants 44, 120mm mortar 6, MILAN 16, LRAC 55, LMG 30, wheeled vehicles 120. 2. In peacetime a recruit/corps training coy is organic to the regt. 3. Many units still using AMX-13s. 4. Starting with 1 and 3 DBs, the 1985 reorganisation, regts will change the unit structure to 3 rifle and 1 AMX-30 coys. Corps level Independent Infantry Regiment. RHQ 7 VABs. HQ coy, HQ pl, services groupment similar to mech inf regt, 15 VABs. Combat support Coy, HQ, two recon pls with 6 Jeeps, heavy mortar pl with 6 120mm towed 12-6 mortars, and 8 VABs. 4 rifle coys with VABs as above, in some regts a 4th VAB pl to be phased in and pls to have 4 VABs, 5 LRACs and 3 LMGs (this organisation being that of the infantry regt in 4th Airmobile Division). 2 VAB mounted AT coys with coy HQ with 1 VAB, 3 AT pls with pl HQ 1 VAB (carrying extra missiles) 3 sections each 1 VAB and 2 MILAN teams, recon pl with 6 Jeeps, total 13 VABs. NOTE: 1 1,400 men, 124 VABs, 44 MILANS, 6 120mm and 8 81mm mortars, 8 20mm cannons, 24 recon Jeeps, 131 wheeled vehicles. 2. In late 1985 corps gave up their infantry regts. Alpine Chasseur Battalion, or Mountain Infantry Regiment (traditional titles only units have same organisation and role) Bn or regt HQ, HQ Coy with HQ pl and services groupment). Combat support coy; 81mm mortar pl with 6 mortars, 120mm mortar pl with 3 weapons, AT pl with 6 MILANS, high mountain pl (this a large sub-unit with the ability to fight independently in very difficult terrain, act as mountain leaders for the remainder of the bn, and to act as a dismounted recce pl, all men ski and climber (rock, snow and ice) trained to instructor and leader standard respectively). 4 rifle coys as shown above. NOTE: 1. May be mounted in 1.5 tonne trucks or VAB vehicles. 2. 1,107 men, 163 B vehicles and trailers. Airborne Regiment as part of 11th DP Regt HQ. HQ Coy. Combat support coy with, Jeep mounted recce pl, 120mm mortar pl with 6 weapons (and has 6 81mm mortars for foot mobile role), 2 MILAN AT pls with 6 systems each, AA pl with 6 20mm cannons. Four parachute rifle coys as shown above. NOTE: 1. May be mounted in 1.5 tonne trucks or VAB vehicles. 2. Two regiments in the 11th DP are classified as "light' battalions, as they each have a parachute rifle coy based on rotation overseas in Djibouti and Gabon. Marine Infantry Regiment as part of 9th DIMa. Regt HQ, HQ and Service Coy; Combat support coy, mortar pl with four 120mm mortars, two MILAN AT pls with 6 systems each, recconaissance pl with Jeeps; four rifle coys as above, and training coy. NOTE: 1. 1,500 all ranks. Those personnel in the training coy are not included in the divisional total of 7,600 men. 2. 11 RIMa (T) goes to the 9th DIMa on mobilisation, and is reported to have 36 MILAN systems(?). Armoured Regiment RHQ. HQ sqn, HQ, recce (with Jeeps) signals, river crossing, command and support, service, fuel and munitions, recovery, medical platoons. 4 tank sqns, HQ pl with 1 AMX-30, 1 AMX-10PC, echelon pl with 4 Jeeps, 2 motor cycles, 1 VAB ECH (repair vehicle), 5 trucks. Rifle sqn with HQ pl 1 AMX-10PC, 4 rifle pls with 3 AMX-10Ps. NOTE: 1. Regts in 1 and 3 DB have pls of 4 AMX-30s, 70 in their regts, do not have rifle sqns. 2. With the 1985 reorganisation the rifle sqns to be removed from all regts. 3. Following the 1985 reorganisation the tank regts will have 54 AMX-30s, 10 AMX-10, 2 VAB PC, 8 VAB ECH, 3 VAB ambulances, 3 VAB, and 174 wheeled vehicles and trailers. Corps Reconnaissance Regiment RHQ 4 VAB. HQ Sqn. 4 Sqns of HQ, 4 recce tps with 3 AMX-10RCs and 3 Jeeps, 1 rifle tp of 3 VABs. NOTE: 1. 860 men, 48 AMX-RCs, 38 VABs, 32 MILAN systems, 180 B vehicles and trailers, some units (and reserve) are still equipped with AML variants . 2. 4th Chasseurs has 3 tps in each of its 3 sqns, and uses AML 90s instead of AMX-10s, and 1.5tonne trucks instead of VABs. 3. RICM has 3 sqns equipped with 62 ERC-90s. 4. Those regts equipped with AML variants have a 5th tp in each sqn equipped with 3 MILANs on Jeeps. 5. VLTTs will replace Jeeps. Pluton Regiment. HQ battery with signals troop; three 2 launcher Pluton batteries, services battery, training battery, and a mechanised rifle company with 10 AMX-10P in three platoons. NOTE : 1. The nuclear warheads of the Pluton missiles are of French origin, and the French have sole control over them. Air Defence Units Gun regiments have one battery of 9 30 SP guns, and two of eight 40mm Bofors towed guns. School regiments have different organisations. Roland regiments (two per corps) each have four 8 launcher batteries, with two at RHQ. One battery may be equipped with 30mm AMX-13 SP guns, four 3 gun troops and a HQ troop gun. IHAWK regiments have six 4 launcher batteries, with six missiles per launcher in the 1st Line. DIVISIONAL ORGANISATIONS Division Blindee, armoured division Divisional HQ Two mechanised infantry regiments. One VAB mounted infantry regiment Two or three tank regiments Reconnaissance Squadron, HQ pl, three recce pls with 11 Jeeps, 2 MILAN and 1 radar, ground surveillance pl with 5 radars. One anti-tank company with 12 VAB mounted HOT ystems, the divisions anti-tank reserve. One or two artillery regiments of HQ Battery, 4 batteries with 6 AUF-1 or 5 F-3 155mm SP howitzers. Engineer bn, HQ Coy, 2 armoured engineer coys, heavy field engineer company (with bridging equipment), light field engineer coy. 850 men 16 combat engineer vehicles, 16 APCs, 4 dozer tanks, 4 mine clearing systems, plus pontoons and heavy vehicular ferries. Divisional services regiment, coys of; signals, field repair, medical treatment/evacuation, transport, military police (Gendarmarie). 9,000 men. 120/125 AMX 30 MBT (figures relate to 2 or 3 tank regiment DBs) 312 AMX-10P APCs. 280 VAB 20 to 48 155mm gun systems, depending upon No of regts and equipment. 48 MILAN AT Systems. 18 20mm AA guns. 18 120mm mortars 8 81mm mortars 12 VAB mounted HOT AT systems. 165 LRAC light AT systems 1,850 B vehicles and trailers. NOTE: 1. 1 DB and 3 DB have two tank regiments each, rest have three. 2. Eventually all DBs will have two artillery regiments. 3. VLTTs will replace Jeeps. Division Blindee Legere, Light armoured division. All differ in establishments. 6th DBL shown Divisional HQ Two reconnaissance regiments with AMX-10RC Two VAB mounted infantry regiments. Towed 155mm howitzer battalion Engineer battalion. Services battalion, with sub-units of field repair, medical treatment/evacuation, transport, military police (Gendarmarie). 5,000 men 12th DBL, 7,400 14th/6th DBLs. AMX 30 MBT, 54 14th DBL only. AMX-10P APCs, 72, 14th DBL only. VABs 340. 155mm SP howitzers, 12th DBL only. 155mm towed howitzers, 24, 14th/6th DBLs. 48 MILAN AT systems. 20mm AA cannons, 48. 120mm mortars, 12. 81mm mortars, 16. 12 VAB mounted HOT AT systems, 24, 14th/6th DBLs. LRAC 110. Armoured cars, 59 12th DBL, 72, 14th/6th DBLs. B vehicles and trailers, 900 12th DBL, 1100 14th/6th DBLs. NOTE. 1. One reconnaissance regt replaced by a tank regt in 12th DBL. 2. 12th DBL has SP artillery regt. 3. 12th and 14th DBLs have single engineer coys. Division d'Infanterie, Infantry division. Divisional HQ. One reconnaissance regiment with, HQ sqn, 3 recce sqns with 12 AMX-10RC and Jeeps; 1 AT sqn with 12 VAB mounted HOT systems, 24 MILAN systems and 140 men. Three VAB mounted infantry regts. One engineer coy. Divisional services regiment, coys of; signals, field repair, medical treatment/evacuation, transport, military police (Gendarmarie). 6,900 men. 370 or 400 VABs. 60 - 96 MILAN systems. 58 20mm AA Cannons. 18 120mm mortars. 12 VAB mounted HOT systems. 24 towed 155mm howitzers. 165 LRAC. 36 armoured cars, 1,200 B vehicles and trailers. NOTE: 1. The reserve divisions use older equipment, 105mm howitzers rather than 155mm, AML or EBR armoured cars rather than AMX-10s, 1.5tonne trucks rather than VABs, 2, Recce regt's AT sqn forms the divisional AT reserve. 3. The MILAN systems in the Recce regt may be attached to the infantry regts. 4. Some divisions are shown as having MILAN establishments of 72 or 96 systems! The 9th DIMa had 72 systems (4 inf regts, organisation shown seperately), but, 96 systems not understood - may have been an error, 4th DAM is believed to have their single infantry regiment to have 96 MILAN.. ARMY ORGANISATION 1st ARMY Headquarters Starsbourg. 13 RDP (Dieuze and Donaueschingen)(NOTE 2); 402 RA (Chalons-sur-Marne), 403 RA (Chaumont) both Improved HAWK SAM missiles; 44 RT (Landau, West Germany)(NOTE 3) HQ commanding: I Corps; 1st DB, 4th DB, 7DB, 12th DBL, 14th DBL, 15th DI. II French Corps; 3rd DB, 5th DB. III Corps; 2nd DB, 10th DB, 8th DI. Berlin Garrison, Berlin Brigade. NOTE 1. 4th DB (Nancy) and 6th DB (Strasbourg) disbanded 1984, 12th DI (Rouen) disbanded 1983, their regiments transferred to other divisions. 2. A special forces regiment specialising in long range reconnaissance patrols, and unconventional warfare similar in concept to the British Army 22nd Special Air Service Regiment. Renowned for carrying the largest military rucksacks in the world. 3. 44 Signals Regiment the only front line electronic warfare unit in the French Army, having signals intercept, direction-finding and jamming capabilities. I Corps HQ Metz. Corps troops. Artillery; target acquisition 7RA (Nevers), 155mm AUF-1 155mm SP 61 RA (Morhange)(first unit equiped with weapon); air defence 57 RA (Bitcher) Roland missile systems; Pluton Surface to Surface Missiles 3 RA (Mailly) and 15 RA (Suippes); attached from the General Reserve, 155mm towed 17 RA(T) (Biscarrosse) and 19 RA(T) (Draguignan), Note 2. Reconnaissance 8 RH (AMX-10RC) (Altkirch). Infantry; 1 RI (Sarrebourg) Note 3. Engineers; 2 RG (Dijon). Army Aviation 11 GHL (Essey-les-Nancy), 4 RHC (T)(Le Luc). Traffic control; 602 RCR (Strasbourg). NOTE: 1. 4th DB (Nancy) and 6th DB (Strasbourg) disbanded 1984, all regiments reassigned. 2. I Corps will receive a three battery MLRS with 24 weapons in late 1980's. 3. This to go to 4th Airmobile. 4. from 6th DB. 1st DB HQ Trier. 1 RC (St Wendel), 6 RD (Saarbourg) both AMX-30; 8 GC (Wittlich, 16 GC (Saarbourg), 30 GC (Luneville), 9 RAMa (Trier) F3 155mm guns; 13 RG (Trier), 1 RCS (Trier). 7th DB HQ Besancon. 1RD (Lure), 5 RD (Belfort); 35 RI (Belfort), 170 RI (Epinal) (all AMX-30, AMX-10); F3 155mm guns 1 RA (Montbeliard), 12 RA (Oberhoffen)(Note 4), 19 RG (Besancon), 7 RCS (Besancon). 12th DBL HQ Saumur. 507 RCC(T)(AMX-30) (Saumur, attached EAABC), 3 RCh(T)(AML, EBR, Jeeps)(Saumur, attached EAABC); 4 REI(T)(Castelnaudary), a further RI (Note 1), 33 RA(T) (105mm SP)(St Maixent, attached to the NCO School). NOTE 1. Some sources state the RI 75 (the Monsieur Regiment of the old Royal Army - pre-1789) but, also reported disbanded when 14th DI disbanded? 14th DBL HQ Montpellier. 11 RC(T) (Cariagne, attached CIABC), 1 RCh (Canjeurs, attached CPCIT) both AMX-30; 81 RI(T) (Montpellier, attached EAI), 4 RIMa(T) (Perpignan) (Note 1); 60 RA(T)(Canjeurs, attached EAA) F3 155mm guns. NOTE : 1. One of the two RI's to be mechanised with AMX-10. 15th DI HQ Limoges. 5 RCh (AM:L)(Perigueux); 92 RI (Clermont-Ferrand), (Note 1), 99 RI (Salhonay)(Note 1, 126 RI (Brive-la-Gaillarde) all VAB; 20 RA (Poitiers) BF-50 155mm towed; 65 CG (Castelsarrasin), 15 RCS (Limoges). NOTE : 1. From 14th DI. II FRENCH CORPS Corps Troops: Artillery; 155mm SP guns 2 RA (Stetten), 34 RA (Mulheim) and three reserve regiments (details unknown); target acquistion 6 RA (Phalsbourg, France); air defence with Roland missiles' 51 RA (Wittlich), 53 RA (Vieux-Breisach). Pluton Surface to Surface Missiles 32 RA (Haguenau) and 74 RA (Belfort), due to political reasons both regiments in France in time of peace. Reconnaissance, 3 RH (AMX-10RC) (Pforzheim). Infantry, 110RI (Donaueschingen) to 3 DB in 1985. Engineers, 10 RG (Spire), 33 RG (Kehl)(has 30 M2 ferries), both large regiments. Army Aviation, 2 RHC (Trier), 12 GHL (Trier). 3rd DB HQ Freiburg. 3 RD (AMX-30)(Stetten, 12 RC (AMX-30)(Mulheim), 42 RI (Offenburg), 152 RI (Colmar) note 3, 19 GC (Vitlingen), 11 RA (155mm SP)(Offenburg), 32 RG (Kehl), 3 RCS (Freiburg). 5th DB HQ Landau. 2 RC (AMX-30)(Rutlingen), 5 RC (AMX-30)(Kaiserlautern), 4 RC (AMX-30)(Bitche) note 4, 153 RI(Mutzig) note 3, 2 GC (Neustadt), 24 GC (Tubingen), 73 RA (155mm SP)(Rutlingen), 11 RG (Rastatt), 5 RCS (Landau). NOTE: 1. From 1986 II Corps will receive one RA with three batteries of 8 MLRS each. 2. Starting from October 1983 the corps armoured regiments had first priority on the re-equipment with AMX-30B2 MBTs. 3. Converting to VAB from AMX VCI, ex-6th DB. 4. Ex-6th DB. III CORPS HQ Lille. Corps Troops Artillery; 8 RA (Commecy)(105mm SP)(NOTE 1), 16 RA (Melun)(155mm towed), (NOTE 2), 54 RA (Hyeres) (Roland AA Missiles, 30mm SP), 58 RA (Vincennnes)(Roland) (NOTE 3). Reconnaissance; 2 RH (Sourdun)(AMX-10RC). Infantry; 43 RI (Lille)(NOTE 4), 76 RI (Vincennes)(NOTE 5). Engineers; 6 RG (Angers), 31 RG (Castelsarrasin), 71 RG (Oisel), NOTE 6. Army Aviation; 6 RHC (Compiegne). NOTE : 1. Ex 4th DB. 2. A target acquistion regiment to form, corps artillery has 1 to 3 155mm towed RA (Mobilization). 3. 401 RA (T)(Draguignan)(Improved Hawk and 30mm SP) attached in peace to CPCIT, to III Corps on mobilisation. 4. Is classified as a "command and control regiment', its role and status unknown! 5. ? to go to 12th DBLE. 6. 72 RG (Mourmelon) is the engineer support regiment for the major training areas in north-eastern France under Military Region command, TO III Corps on mobilisation. 2nd DB HQ Camp de Satory, Versailles. 2 RD (Laon)(NOTE 1), 6 RC (Olivet, 501 RCC (Rambouillet), all AMX-30; 1 RAMa (Montlhery)(155mm SP) (NOTE 2); 5 RI (Beynes)(AMX-10P), Regiment de Marche du Tchad (Montlhery)(VTT/AMX-13), 39 RI (Rouen)(NOTE 3); 5 RG (Camp de Satory), 2 RCS (Camp de Satory). NOTE : 1. From 6th DB, Haguenau in 1985. 2. To receive 16 RA (Melum). 3. From 12th DI in 1984. 4. 12th DI (Rouen) disbanded end of 1983. 10th DB HQ Chalons-sur-Marne. 4 RD (Camp de Mourmelon), 2 RCh(Verdun)(NOTE 1), 503 RCC(Camp de Mourmelon), all AMX-30B2; 1 GC (Reims)(VAB), 150 RI (Verdun)(AMX-10), 151 RI (Metz)(to receive AMX-10); 40 RA (Camp de Suippes)(F3), 3 RAMa (Verdun)(105mm SP) (NOTE 1),; 3 RG (Charlesville-Mezieres), 10 RCS (Chalons-sur-Marne, and Mourmelon). NOTE : 1. Ex-4th DB. 8th DI HQ Ameins. 7 RCh (Arras)(AML); 8 RI (Noyon), 67 RI (Soissons), 94 RI(Sissonee), all VAB; 41 RAMa (La Fere) (155mm towed); 8 CG (Oisel), 8 RCS (Ameins). BERLIN BRIGADE Commandant French Sector W Berlin and Commandement des Troups det Services du Secteur Francais de Berlin. The CTSSB had some 3,000 men (including some 400 Air Force personnel). 11eme Regiment de Chasseurs, 46eme Regiment d'Infanterie, engineer, ordnance, signals and medical companies, with large Berlin Squadron of the Gendarmerie. The regiments both had a recruit training company or squadron for the initial and corps training of their soldiers. The 46th Inf had 3 rifle coys of 3 pls each, a support and HQ coy with 120mm mortar pl with 4 weapons, 106mm anti-tank gun pl, MILAN pl, and a anti-aircraft pl with 20mm guns, all three with 6 weapons each. The Armoured regt had a HQ sqn with a 4 120mm mortar tp, a 106mm anti-tank gun and a recce jeep with MGs tp's each with 6 weapons systems; 2 tank sqns with HQ 1 AMX 30 and 3 tank tps with 3 AMX 30s and a rifle tp with 4 VCI APCs, a AMX 13 Sqn HQ 1 AMX13 and 4 tps each 3 AMX13s, a rifle tp with 4 VCIs. These re-equipped, the infantry completely with VAB APCs, the cav with AMX30's and VABs. RAPID ACTION FORCE The Force d'Action Rapide was formed from the units which could be deployed for out of area deployments, ie. outside of Metropolitan France and the deployment in West Germany, following the 1976 disbandment of the three multi-service joint commands (Intervention Froces-Forces Inter-Armees d'Intervention, Manoeuvre Forces-Forces de Manoeuvre, and Territorial Forces-Forces du Territoire). It has the dual role of power projection into France's sphere of interests (including it's primary role to reinforce 1st Army), and reinforcement of French Forces throughout the world. Comprising : 4th DAM, 6th DBL, 9th DIMa. 11th DP, 27th DA, GOLE. 9th DIMa HQ St Malo. Reconnaissance RICM (ERC-90)(Vannes). Infantry; 1 RIMa (Angouleme), 2 RIMa (Le Mans), 3 RIMa (Vannes), 41 RI (NOTE 1, 2). Artillery; 11 RAMa (La Lande d'Quee), four batteries of 6 155mm towed howitzers, one battery of 20mm AA cannons (24). Engineers, 59 CG (Angers). Support, 9 RCS (Dinan). 7,600 men. 48 MILAN systems, reported to increase to 72 on mobilisation. 56 20mm AA cannons. 16 120mm mortars. 32 81mm mortars. 24 155mm howitzers, is also reported to have 12 1055mm howitzers. 230 LRAC. 60 armoured cars (that reported to be old figure when equipped with AML's, with the ERC-90 and VABs probably 54) 1,176 wheeled vehicles (829) and trailers. NOTE : 1. 41 RI comes under the local command of 9th DIMa, its role being however is that of protection of the submarine base at Ile Longu. 2. 11 RIMa (T) (Queleren) goes to the 9th DIMa on mobilisation. 3. Formed on 1 January 1976. 6th DBL Headquarters Nimes. 1 RS (Valence), 1 REC (Orange)(both AMX-10RC); 21 RIMa (Frejus), 2 REI (Nimes) (both VAB APCs); 68 RA (La Valbonne)(four 155mm and one AD batteries); 6 REG (L'Ardoise), 6 RCS (Nimes). For organisational details see entry in divisional organisations. NOTE : 1. Formed from the 31st Brigade. 11th DP HQ Toulouse. 1 RHP (Tarbes)(AML90 and Jeeps, to receive ERC-90 in 1985); 1 RCP (Sourge), 9 RCP (Toulouse), 3 RPIMa (Carcassone), 6 RPIMa (Mont de Marsan), 8 RPIMa (Castres), 2 REP (Calvi, Corsica); 1 RPIMa (Bayonne)(training and special forces operations); 35 RAP (Tarbes)(three composite batteries of six M101 1055mm howitzers and six 20mm AA cannons, 105's can be replaced with 120mm mortars); 17 RGP (Montauban)(includes the Detachment d'Intervention Nautigue-engineer frogmen training for water recce and river crossings); 7 RPCS (Albi), 14 RPCS (Toulouse), 1 BPCS (Albi)(air resupply and heavy equipment drop). 16,500 men. 154 MILAN systems. 51 20mm AA cannons. 54 120mm mortars. 48 81mm mortars. 18 M101 105mm howitzers. 535 LRAC. 62 ERC-90 (to replace AML and Jeeps). 2,200 wheeled vehicles and trailers. NOTE : 1. For in Europe role, 11th DP organised into: 1st Brigade; 9 RCP, 3 and 8 RPIMa, 17 RPCS. 2nd Brigade; 1 RCP, 6 RPIMa, 2 REP, 14 RPCS. Other units under direct divisional command. 2. For the out of theatre role, Groupment Aeroporte is formed (HQ Albi, is commonly known as the Albi Group), comprising the 3, 8 RPIMa and 2 REP, with 17 RPCS and professional battery, recce squadron and engineer company. The 1 RPIMa will supply special forces companies. 3. If deployed by air the division has 547 wheeled vehicles and trailers and 25 armoured cars. 4. The HQ battery of 35 RAP has a number of US Stinger SAM systems, these delived to the division when in operations in Chad against Libyan forces, these the only ones in French service. 27th DA Headquarters Grenoble. 4 RCh (Gap)(AML, reconnaissance); 93 RAM (Varces)(24 M101 105mm howitzers, or with 105mm OTO pack howitzers); 7 BGDA (Avignon), 27 RCS, attached 27th Helicopter Squadron (Gap)(3 Alouette III's and 7 Alouette II's) 5th Demi-Brigade Headquarters Gap. 6 BCA (Varces-Grenoble), 7 BCA (Bourg-St-Maurice), 13 BCA (Chambery). 7th Demi-Brigade Headquarters Annecy. 159 RIA (Briancon), 11 BCA (Barcelonnette), 27 BCA (Annecy). 8,800 men. 36 MILAN systems. 18120mm mortars. 36 81mm mortars. 24 20mm AA cannons. 24 105mm towed (either M101 or Pack Howitzer). 46 LRAC. 32 AML armoured cars. 1,134 wheeled vehicles and trailers. NOTE : 1. Formed from the 17th and 27th Alpine Brigades, 1 August 1976. 2. Whilst it is considered to be an 'elite' organisation, the 27th is mainly made up of conscripts, and therefore there would be a problem in deploying it out of France/West Germany. GOLE Is a brigade sized task force headquarters for the tactical employment of Foreign Legion units outside of Metropolitan France, HQ is drawn from the commander and personnel of 1 REI at Aubagne. 4th DAM HQ Nancy. 1 RI (Sarrebourg)(NOTE 2); 1 RHC (Phalsbourg), 3 RHC (Etain-Rouvres and Metz), 5 RHC (Pau)(NOTE 3). Organisation to be divisional HQ, HQ company, two task force headquarters, one airmobile infantry regiment (with possibily 96 MILAN systems), three helicopter combat regiments, and a specific for 4th DAM RCS. 6,400 men (7,000 on mobilisation). 185 VABs. 48 (possibily 96) MILAN systems. 30 20mm AA cannons. 12 120mm mortars. 8 81mm mortars. 60 LRAC AT weapons. 1,200 wheeled vehicles and trailers. 130 SA.341/342 Gazelle helicopters; 10 liaison, 30 with 20mm cannon, 90 SA.342 with HOT ATGMs. 84 Puma transport helicopters. NOTE : 1. All units to be eventually based in Northeast France. 2. Ex- I Corps. 3. 1 and 3 RHC ex I Corps, 5 RHC ex 11th DP (this regiment while probably remain under operational command of 11th DP for out of area operations and only under 4th DAM in time of war. 4. Ten Gazelle and 24 Puma's belong to the 4th DAM's command and support units. 4th DAM is to operate as a offensive airmobile unit on the NATO Central Front. It's single Headquarters to allow the massing of airmobile firepower, it's two task force headquarters would permit the formation of RHC with airmobile infantry to engage a Soviet armoured division penetration. So it could in theory take on three such Soviet divisions simultaneously. ARMY AVIATION ALAT - Aviation Legere de l'Armee de Terre. A large organisation equipped mainly with helicopters (although there are fixed wing aircraft for liaison duties), whilst aviation units exist all all levels of the French Army, the RHC is the main combat element. Regiments d'Helicopter de Combat - helicopter combat regiments - RHC. The regimental headquarters combines the activies of reconnaissance, combat and troop carrying helicopters (all interacting with each other) under one tactical headquarters. This coordination of the RHC's squadrons would allow the helicopter insertion of light infantry with a lavish allotment of MILANs and other tank killing weapons (LARC and AT mines) to block a Soviet tank advance, especially if it has penetrated the front line, with the anti-tank Gazelle's attacking the enemies flanks. In the mobile battle the RHCs have a very important role of target acquisition and reconnaissance, they have a major role in the support of ground based reconnaissance units in the screening, harassing and economy of force missions. A RHC is organised as : Headquarters Flight (includes two Pumas fitted out as aerial command posts). Two Light Observation Squadrons each with 10 Gazelle's. In the 4th DAM's RHC's replaced by a single Support and Protection Squadron with 10 20mm cannon armed Gazelle's. Three Anti-Tank Squadrons equipped with either 10 Gazelles with HOT ATGM or 10 Aluette IIIs with SS-11 ATGM. Two tactical Helicopter Transport Squadrons each 10 Puma's. 21 officers. 122 NCOs (most pilots in ALAT are NCOs) 204 other ranks. 240 wheeled vehicles and trailers. Six 20mm AA cannons. Two Thomson-CSF Spartiate TRS2300 mobile radars for night and poor weather operations. A rifle company can be put under the direct command of the RHC headquarters. In the 4th DAM RHC's, most of the support functions can be transferred to the RCS and other divisional units. The two tactical Puma squadrons can carry an infantry regiment to support the ATGM armed helicopters, moving it in two lifts 100 kms in two hours (the independent infantry regiments of I and II Corps were specific for this mission) NOTE : 1. 206 Alouette II, 68 Alouette III with SS11 missiles, 130 Puma, 165 SA.341F, 90 SA.342M with HOT missiles helicopters, (320 SA.341/342 on order). COMBAT SUPPORT Each Corps (including the Rapid Action Force, to form) are supposed to have: 1. Corps Support Troops, one signals exploitation (signals intelligence) regiment (1,410 men), two signals network regiments (900 men each), a NBC defence Bn, a traffic control regiment. 2. Corps Logistics Brigade, of 13,000 men. HQ and staff coy. Four Administrative Companies. One light signals company. Three Transport Regiments. Two POL Companies. One Equipment Supply Group. Three Equipment Recovery Groups. Two Ammunition Companies. One Nuclear Artillery Support Group (not in the Rapid Action Force). Three Aviation Support Groups (these will alter when the 4th DAM fully formed). Three Medical Companies. One Medical Service Supply Company. Nine Forward Surgical Hospitals. Two Evacuation Medical Hospitals. Two Evacuation Surgical Hospitals. Two Air-Transportable Hospitals. NOTE : 1. These Corps logistics units are mainly cadres that require reservist to fill a total of 62% of their establishments, many former volunteers (those with technical training) fill these units also. 2. The brigades are established for 14,500 men, and 4,500 wheeled vehicles and trailers. MILITARY REGIONS (In France) The geographic commands of the French Army parallel closely the nation's civil government organisation, the 95 departments of the Nation come under the geographical area of six Military Regions (these paralleling the six Defence Regions - region de defense; there were formerly 7). These military and the defence regions parallel also with the Gendarmarie regions, also the recruiting and mobilisation areas, civil defence, civil police (and other law-enforcement agencies) and firefighting units. In time of war all of these agencies would could under the operational command of the Military Regions. 22 Military Divisions are formed within these six Military Regions, each numbered in series from the prime number of the Region, ie 6th Military Region has 61st, 62nd, 63rd, 64th and 65th military divisions. These are not operational formations (sometimes translated in 'territorial divisions), but, are administrative headquarters for all units located within their geographical area. All units listed under the command of military regions are reserve, unless otherwise noted. This does not mean the same as reserve in Britain or the USA, apart from having a professional cadre these units will also have a training role, and in many cases have company(s) sized conscript sub-units performing their military service. Other units just have a cadre and are mobilization units. There would appear to be no rhyme nor reason as to the units organisation. Those units attached to training schools would appear to be on full establishments. The equipment is in the main obsolescent (if not actually obsolete, especially in regard signals communications and transport). There are three types of conscript reservists: First Class, those conscripts who have completed their 12 months military obligation service; on the First Class Reserve for four years. Those with the most recent experience of military service become individual reinforcements to the Field Army units, from June 1984 those who completed their military service within the previous 12 months to return on mobilisation directly to their former regiments (this would accelerate mobilisation).. Some 90,000 reservists are required to bring units up to establishment; 15% to the divisions; 25% to corps troops, and 60% to combat and service support units. Some receive five days training a year. Large scale short service constription produces a large pool of reserve manpower, 4,160,000 in the reserve pool in 1984, with only 565,000 required to fill the established mobilisation positions. Second Class, after four years the reservist passes to the second class reserve for a further 13 year obligation, being on mobilisation being assigned to the reserve regiments in the Military Region's. Since the vast number of reservist still on obligation would far exceed the requirements of these regiments, it would be persumed that the younger and fitter men would be used as replacements for casualties? Third Class, these are active and reserve members of the Gendarmerie, who are under civilian command in peacetime, and would only pass to the military command upon mobilisation. 1st MILITARY REGION HQ Paris. 1st Brigade de Zone 8 RCh (Jeep, recce)(Olivet); 56 RA (Sevres)(air defence 40mm), 93 RI(Versailles), 101 RI (Massey), 70 RIMa (Vitry-Chatillon); 152 CG; 102 RCS (Versailles). 12th Military Division HQ Versailles. 12 RD (Pannes Loiret), 29 RD (Sourdun, Provins) these two cavalry regiments in a security/reconnaissance role; 120 RI (Fontainbleau). 13th Military Division HQ Tours. 6 RCh (Rambouillet/Chartres) this cavalry regiment in a security/reconnaissance role; 66 RI (Azay-le-Rideau). 90 RI (Chateau-Renault), 95 RID (Bourges), 131 RI (Blois)(Commando School), 32 RI (Tours). 2nd MILITARY REGION HQ Lille. 2nd Brigade de Zone 5 RCh (Laon, to move)(Jeep, recce),13 RCh (La Valbonne) (AML), 18 RCh (Arras)(Jeep, recce); 22 RAMa (Folembray)(M101 105mm howitzers); 45 RI (Aisne), 127 RI (Valenciennes), 128 RI (Compaiegne) 239 RI (Rouen); 158 CG (Soissons), 162 CG (Oisel); 112 RCS (Sissonne). 21st Military Division HQ Lille 243 RI (Lille). 22nd Military Division HQ Amiens 87 RI (St Quentin). 23rd Military Division HQ Rouen. 174 RI (Le Havre) 3rd MILITARY REGION HQ Rennes 3rd Brigade de Zone 19 RD (Vannes)(Jeep, recce), 3 RCh(T)(Saumur, attached to Armour Centre)(AML, EBR); 2 RI (Alecon), 62 RI (Vannes), 117 RI (Le Mans), 77 RI (Angers), 115 RI (Nantes), 137 RI (La Rochelle), 11 RIMa (T) (Queleren) (to 9th DIMa on mobilisation); 29 RCS (Dinan). 31st Military Division HQ Rennes. 70 RI (St Jacques). 32nd Military Division HQ Caen. 36 RI (Caen). 33rd Military Division HQ Nantes. 9 RI (Nantes) 4th MILITARY REGION HQ Bordeaux. 4th Brigade de Zone 9 RCh (Perigueux)(AML), 10 RH (Tarbes)(Jeep, recce); 15 RI (Castres), 18 RI (Pau), 34 RI (Mont-de-Marsan), 50 RI (Souge), 83 RI (Toulouse), 100 RI (Brive-la-Gaillarde), 107 RI (Angouleme), 144 RI (Souge); 161 CG (Bordeaux) 165 CG (Pau); 115 RCS (Brive-la-Gaillarde). 41st Military Division HQ Bordeaux. 49 RI (Bordeaus). 42nd Military Division HQ Poitiers. 114 RI (T)(Niort)(attached to the NCO School) 43rd Military Division HQ Limoges. 44th Military Division HQ Toulouse. 20 RI (Montauban), 122 RI (Rodez) 5th MILITARY REGION HQ Lyons. 5th Brigade de Zone 96 RI (in Languedoc Region), 275 RI (Valence), 292 RI (Clermont-Ferrand), 299 RI (Lyons). 3 RI (T)(Garriagnes, Nimes)(attached to EAI, to 152nd DI on mobilisation). 152nd DI (Reserve) (NOTE 4). HQ Montpellier. 19 RCh (Carpiagne, attached CIABC)(EBR); 15, 22, 47, 53, 67 BCA's; 140 RIA; 85 and 164 CGs. 51st Military Division HQ Lyons. 46 RCh (Grenoble); 22 RI (Sathonay), 30 RI (Annecy), 52 RI(Valance); 38 RID (St Etienne). 52nd Military Division HQ Clermont-Ferreand. 86 RI (Le Puy); 121 RID (may be cadre). 53rd Military Division HQ Marseilles. 72 RI ((Marseilles), 112 RI (Cassis), 163 RI (Nice). 54th Military Division HQ Montpellier. 96 RI (Languedoc Region, link with 96 RI above), 141 RI (Mende)(is also shown as beloning to 5th Brigade de Zone; 7 RIMa (Frejus); 142 RID (? cadre). 55th Military Division HQ Bastia, Corsica. 173 RI (Bastia), 373 RI (Southern Corsica). 6th MILITARY REGION HQ Metz. The commander of I Corps also commands the 6th Military Region. 6th and 7th Brigade de Zone 10 RCh (Jeep recce) (Sedan), 15 RCh (AML and Jeep recce) (Verdun), 149 RI (Luneville), 37 RI (Sarrebourg) 61st Military Division HQ Nancy. 69 RI (Essey-les-Nancy), 146 RI (Metz), 226 RI (mobilization) (Nancy), 79 RID (St Avold), 155 RID (Verdun), 164 RID (mobilization); 62 RA (105mm howitzers)(Metz). 62nd Military Division HQ Strasbourg. 158 RI (Strasbourg), 59 RA (40mm AD guns, mobilization ?). Rhine Division (a engineer river-crossing unit with M2 amphibious vehicles, pontoons and bridging) 63rd Military Division HQ Chalons-sur-Marne. 106 RI (Chalons-sur-Marne) 64th Military Division HQ Dijon. 16 RG (Dijon) 65th Military Division HQ Desancon. 44RI (in the Department of Doubs), 56 RI (Lons-le-Saunier), 172 RI (Luxeuil-les-Bains). NOTE : 1. It is the intention (?) to create one regiment interarmees divisionnaire in each Military Division, these 22 RIAD would be full time units of a skeleton of professionals and conscripts, persumably replacing the 'hot-potch' of units currently in existance, fleshed out by First Class reservists. Each with a AML armoured car company and three rifle companies, to be rapidly mobilised with the role of protecting French territory from airborne and commando attack. While the seven brigades de zone de defence would have a formalised organisation of two RI's, a recconaissance battalion and one or two engineer companies each. 2. Ten DI (Reserve) HQs were disbanded in 1983-84, these were 102 (Versailles), 104 (Nancy), 108 Armiens), 109 (St Malo), 110 Chalons-surs-Marne), 111 (Toulouse), 112 (Sissonne), 114 (Lyons), 115 (Limoges), and 127 (Grenoble). The majority of their cadre and mobilisation units were disbanded. 3. The following units are also known to exist, their actual status or to what formation they come under is unknown: 32 RI(R)(Department of Indre), 91 RI(R)(Mourmelon), 133 RI (R), 134 RI (R)(Department of Saone-et-Loire), 147 RI(R); 10 RID, 28 RID(R)(Brilcoitte), 84 RID(R)(Sains-en-Amineois); 53 RIF (Mont-Louis). 4. The 152nd has the mission of defending the strategic deterrent IRBM bases on the Pateau d'Albion, and the air force strategic bombing (with Mirage IVA bombers and KC-135F tankers) bases in south east France. 5. Each Military Region HQ has a light helicopter group with 20 aircraft attached. FORCES OVERSEAS CARIBEAN MILITARY REGION: HQ Fort-de-George, Martinique Guadeloupe; 33 RIMa (900 men partially in Martinique), 41 BCS. Guyana; 9BIMa (Cayenne), 3REI (Kourou). Martinique; 33 RIMa (part), 16 BCS. EAST AFRICAN MILITARY REGION HQ Djibouti 5 RIAOM (3 rifle coys motorised in 1.5tonne trucks, 1 AMX-13 tank squadron, support coy), 13DBLE (3 rifle coys motorised in 1.5 tonne trucks, 1 AMX-10 RC recce squadron, support coy), 1 artillery battery (105mm/155mm howitzers), 10 BCS. A parachute rifle coy from 11 DP is constantly rotated through on attachment. EASTERN PACIFIC MILITARY REGION HQ Noumea, New Caledonia. Noumea, Regiment d'Infanterie de Marine Pacific (Noumea) (RIMaP(N)) Marine Infantry Regiment of the Pacific (Noumea), 42 BCS. INDIAN OCEAN MILITARY REGION HQ St Denis, La Reunion. La Reunion, 2 PRIMa, 53 BCS. Comoro Islands; Detachment de Legion Etrangere de Mayotte (DLEM), stationed at Dzaoudzi on Mayotte Island, comprising a all arms HQ and Services Coy and a rotating rifle coy (whilst usually a Legion sub-unit may be drawn from Marine parachute regiments). WEST AFRICAN MILITARY REGION HQ, Dakar, Senegal. Chad, training team, and advisors. Central African Republic, training team and advisors. Gabon, 6 BIMa (500 men), Liberville. A parachute rifle coy from 11 DP is constantly rotated through on attachment. Ivory Coast, 43 BIMa (500 men) Port Bouet. Senegal; 23 BIMa (1,300 men), Dakar. WESTERN PACIFIC MILITARY REGION HQ Papeete, Tahiti. Papeete, Regiment d'Infanterie de Marine Pacific (Papeete) (RIMPaP(P) Marine Infantry Regiment of the Pacific (Papeete), 5REI Papeete and Muraroa Atoll, 57 BCS Papeete. TROOPS FOR OUT OF AREA DEPLOYMENTS By the constitution of the Republic, conscripts cannot be sent outside of Metropolitan France to fight except for those units stationed in West Germany (are who are earmarked for)(these formerly under NATO command, but, who would fight alongside NATO in time of Soviet invasion of the Federal German Republic). Certain regiments contain conscripts who extend their service and also volunteer for external service. There are 44 regiments allocated for out-of-area service, 20 of these made up of professionals, and 24 mixed with professionals and volunteer conscripts. Professionals 13 RDP from HQ 1st Army. 11th DP; 1, 3 and 8 RPIMa, 7 RRPCS. 9th DIMa; RICM, 2 and 3 RIMa, 9RCS, 11 RAMa. 6th DBL, 21 RIMa. Overseas Garrisons, 5 RIAOM. Foreign Legion; (all professionals) 5 RE, 2, 3 and 4 REI, 1 REC, 2 REP, 13 DBLE, 6 REG. 1RE is purely a headquarters, training, and administrative unit. Mixed 11th DP; 1 RHP, 6RPIMa, 35 RAP, 17 RGP, 14 RPCS. 9th DIMa, 1 RIMa 6th DBL; 1 RS, 68 RA, 6 REG, 6 RCS. 4th DAM; 1 RI, 1 and 5 RHC. Also 7 RHC when allocated to division. 2nd DB, 501 RCC. 10th DB, 4 RD. 27th DA, 11 BCA. Overseas Garrisons (these included locally conscripted French citizens); 2 RPIMa, 9 and 43 BIMa, 23 and 33 RIMa, RIMAP(P), RIMAP(N). SUPPORT SERVICES Aumonerie – chaplains. Justice Militaire – legal services. Personnel Feminin de l'Armee de Terre (PFAT) – women's services. Pionniers – military labour, includes supervision of civilian employees. Poste Militaire – postal and courier services. Prevote – provost, those units provided by the Gendarmarie (see below). Service de Material – general stores, ammunition, electrical and mechanical equipment, supply/repair/maintenance service. Service d'Intendance – food and pay – assisted by the Tresor (military treasury, literally finance) Service Veterinaire – veterinary, also includes meat products inspection. Transmissions – signals. Train – transport and movement control. MILITARY SCHOOLS The ecole d'application – special to-arm-schools, are specific to each arm: Infanterie Montpellier Arme blindee/Cavalerie Saumur Artillerie Draguignan Genie Angers. Transmissions (signals) Montaris. Train Tours. Material Bourges. Gendarmarie Melun. THE FRENCH NAVY Fusiliers-Marines Whilst all members of the French Navy receive basic infantry training which surfiefs for that required to provide boarding parties at sea, or landing parties to aid the civil authorities or the other branches of the Armed Forces on land (a cruiser or aircraft carrier can provide a rifle company group, whilst a destroyer or frigate can provide a rifle platoon, the French Navy's land combat forces are the Fusiliers-Marines. These are not to be confused with the Marine units of the Army, these being mainly professional soldiers with a overseas garrison or intervention role. They are divided into a training organisation, and two operational bodies. The Naval Base Defence Force is some 3,100 strong, armed and trained as light infantry, with the role of providing security and defence at major naval installations. With special Gendarmerie and Army/Air Force "special weapons" (ie nuclear weapons) technical support units, they provide the motorised escort units for the nuclear warheads of the Force Nucleaire Strategique. These from the Navy strategic submarine force, air dropped weapons of the Fleet Air Arm and the Air Force Commandement des Aeriennes Strategiques; the air force intermediate range ballistic missile units, the Esquadron Missiles Strategiques 1/200 and 2/200 at the Plateau d'Albion, and the armies Pluton surface to surface tactical missiles. The majority of this force is made up of conscripts into the Navy. The GROUFUMACO (Groupement des Fusiliers-Marins Commandos) marine fusiliers commando group, is some 550 strong made up of professional servicemen. Headquarters at Lorient, the HQ of the French Western or Atlantic Fleet, under the direct command of the Commander of the French Navy. Composed of three 84 man assault commandos: Jaubert, Penfentenyo Trepel each of a HQ (18) and three assault sections (22), equipped with basic infantry weapons including LRAC AT, and 60mm mortars. A support commando: Montfort equipped with 81mm mortars, MILAN systems, flamethrowers, and assault engineering equipment. A under water attack commando: Hubert this based at Toulon with the HQ of the Mediterreaneum Fleet. Organised into a HQ and three swimmer sections (Naguers de Combat - combat swimmers), the unit is virtually identical in its operation to the Royal Marine's Special Boat Service, in its combat swimmer/small boat role. Formed from men from Hubert, is a 17 maritime anti-terrorist section under the direct command of the Ministry of Defence (manpower not part of GROUFUMACO). A reserve commando: Francois is made up of discharged professionals who volunteer for reserve service, two detachments at Toulon and Lorient. GROUFUMACO is intended to : 1. act as a unconventional warfare force, under direct command of the Ministry of Defence, 2. to support the operations of the French Fleet, 3. to support the operations of the 9th DIMa (although not under the divisions HQ) in the force projection role. 4. provide support for anti-terrorist operations outside of mainland France. THE FRENCH AIR FORCE The Air Force has ground defence organisations, these primarily concerned with air base defence, including the nuclear sites at Plateau d'Albion. Consisting of some 6,900 men in the Base Defence Force, organised into strong company sized units armed with light weapons including some 75 VAB APCs. The BDF also has shortrange air-defence batteries equipped with self propelled Crotale SAM systems. A total of some thirty units. There is also a Air Force commando unit, the Groupement des Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air (GCFA). This a strong company sized organision tasked by either the Ministry of Defence or the Air Force Command to: 1. provide air-specific unconventional warfare tasks with the speciality of parachute/airborne assault onto airfields, 2. provide personnel for aircrew rescue, 3. target acquistion and air strike control behind the lines of the enemy, including weather reconnaissance; and 4. provide support for anti-terrorist opeations outside of mainland France. With the support of the Army's engineer corps there is a Air Force engineer capability with it's main role of runway repair and construction. Main units being the 15th Regiment d'Genie Air (RGAir) at Toul, and the 25 RGAir at Companiegne, with independent companies in France and the Overseas Departments. THE GENDARMERIE NATIONALE Whilst part of the Army, it remains under the day-to-day control of the Ministry of the Interior, which is responsible for it's civil police functions within the French Community. Has 85,000 men and women (600), including 8,700 conscripts, also 950 civilians. Apart from military (army, navy and air force provost units) and police duties their missions include internal security, rear area security, maintenance of lines of communications (there are also Army traffic control units), management of the conscription and mobilisation service. Under the Minister of Justice is the Direction Gendarmerie Justice (Gendarmerie and Military Justice Directorate), which directs the force through the Sub-Department Gendarmerie. There are six (seven until 1984) regional commands each equal to and co-located with the Army's military regions, each including a aviation platoon, having under them 22 Gendarmerie districts, co-located with the army's 22 military divisions, these having under them the tactical units. It is a army within an army. Divided into the : Gendarmerie Mobile; this is the prime internal security force of France. Concentrated into barracks, and organised into Territorial Groups. These consisting of a total of 130 Companies (Escadron) each 125 strong organised into a HQ and four platoons (pelotons). Most moved by 1.5 tonne trucks, some equipped with APCs and some equipped with APCs and armoured cars (AMLs). The 1st Armoured Group (Groupement Blinde) is based at Versailles with the role of rear area and internal security in the Paris Military Region. Two Escadrons of AMX-13 light tanks, three of APC infantry and one of VBC-90 armoured cars for reconaissance. Under direct control of the Ministry of Defence is the Garde Republicaine de Paris, these the ceremonial troops of the French Republic stationed in Paris, consisting of two Escadrons of horse cavalry and four of infantry. They are the Republic's President personal bodyguard. Would form a light infantry/recce group in time of emergency, and have the Paris Fire Brigade under command! Gendarmerie Departmental; acts as the primary rural police force outside of the cities and provincial towns (with populations of less than 10,000) of France (it has an extremely important intelligence gathering function). Organised into 3,676 'brigades' of between five and 40 gendarmes in each of the nations cantons, further organised into Escadrons (in the Arrondissements) and groups (Groupements) of whom there were 128 in 1984 (in the Departments) (there was a further level of command, the Legion under a Commandement de Region, for each of the civil regions, but, this in the process of being disbanded). There are also specialised criminal investigation, traffic, river, maritime, air (including aviation units), highway patrol and mountain units. The provost (Prevote) units of the army include a parachutist escadron with the 11th Parachute Division, and motorised detachements varying between escadrons and brigades in all army formations. Conscript gendarmes equate to corporals, while professionals equate to senior NCOs. GIGN Groupement d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie National, based outside of Maisons-Alfort just outside of Paris, it is Frances anti-terrorist force available for operations anywhere within the nation, or throughout the world where French interests threatened. Organised into four 12 man teams (commander, dog handler and two 5 man intervention forces) of NCOs, with four officers (commanded by a Captain), and a 4 man training team. One team on alert status 24 hours a day for operations throughout the nation or world. All men military parachutists trained in HALO and HAHO operations, with at least one intervention force in each team trained as Naguers de Combat. A unit of very high quality, that trains (and exchanges much) with the British 22nd Special Air Service Regiment. RANK STRUCTURE Commissioned Ranks: General of Gendarmarie : Two stars Brigade General : One star Colonel : Five silver bands Lieutenant Colonel : Three silver bands with gold between Esquadron Commander : Four silver bands Captain : Three silver bands Lieutenant : Two silver bands. None Commissioned Ranks: Chief Adjutant Adjutant Marechal des Logis-Chef Gendarme 1984 weapon holdings: AFVs; 37 AMX-13's, 121 AMLs, 20 VBC-90s, 28 AMX VTT APCs, 155 VRBG APCS. 284 81mm mortars. 11 river patrol boats. Aircraft six Cessna 206, 42 Alouette II and III, eight Squirrel helicopters. Overseas Departments, 3,000 Metropolitan Gendarmes are stationed overseas, alongside locally enlisted (including conscripts) who are only obliged to serve in their own department or territory. THE HEALTH SERVICE The Service de Sante, provides, medical, dental, nursing, hygiene, pharmacological, and psychological support (including the armys field medical units) to the three services and the Gendarmaries (their forensic laboratories), with military (including conscripts) and civilian personnel. An important part of their role, probably unique to the armed forces of France, being the medical supervision of military authorised brothels! THE RECRUITING SERVICE Also a tri-service organisation, it is responsible for the conscription service, the enlistment of professionals including Gendarmes, and the administration of reservists. Also includes the Personnel Records and History Department. All male French citizens on reaching 18 become liable for military service, some 75% of each annual contingent being inducted. Professionals are enlisted for five year engagements. THE PETROLEUM, OIL AND LUBRICANT LOGISTICS SERVICE The Service des Essences. As it's name states, it is responsible for all such services to the Armed Forces of France. In the static environment and in the field, it also provides specialists on board naval support vessels. POLICE NATIONALE Formed in 1968 by the amalgamation of the Surete Nationale and the Paris Prefecture de Police. The National Police is responsible for all towns and cities with a population greater than 10,000, all of it's members must have completed military service obligations (most as Gendarmarie conscripts or in the parachute division). Apart from its Public Security Police, the Police Ubaine (the uniformed police) and the Police Judiciaire (Criminal Police or plain clothes police) there is the CRS. COMPAGNIES REPUBLICAINES de SECURITE The Security Company's of the Republic. These the anti-riot public order police, universally loathed throughout France, who act as a central police for such things as police raids, sweeps on illegal residents, 'blitzes' on the main roads and motorways. There are 60, 230 strong, highly mobile, self contained CRS, equipped with light infantry weapons, although rifles and sub-machine guns being the main - there are light machine guns and 60mm mortars held in their barracks armouries. The Police Ubaine has a number of hostage rescue/police special operations teams, organised on a permanent basis in the larger cities, and on a part time basis in local areas. MILITARY WEAPONS SYSTEMS MBT : 1,102 AMX-30 (635 to be enhanced to AMX-30B2), 165 AMX-30B2 with a further 165 to be delivered. There are 12 AMX-30 bridgelayers, a totally inadquate number. Light Tanks : 500 AMX-13 (the majority with 90mm guns), 158 mount four SS-11 ATGMs (these usually have 75mm guns). Armoured Cars : 189 AMX-10RC (Roues Canon), 211 on order. 300 EBR (retrofitted with 90mm guns) these in service with training and reserve regiments only. 680 AML with either 90mm cannons or 12.7mm HMG and 60mm mortars (many seen actually have a single 7.62mm MG and mortar). 110 ERC-90 Sagaie (to be a total of 175) to serve with the 9th DIMa and 11th DP, also Marine units stationed overseas. VBC 90, 32 serve with the Gendarmerie. APCs and IFVs 834 AMX-10 (770 on order) 1,100 AMX-13 VTT 1,974 VAB 42 VAB HOT 155 VBRG with the Gendarmerie. Artillery 218 BF-50 155mm guns. 150 TR 155 guns on order. 216 F3 155mm SP guns. 60 AUF-1 155mm SP guns (210 on order). 50 AU-50 105mm SP howitzers. 165 M101 105mm howitzers (also a small number of 105mm OTO pack howitzers) 55 MLRS on order. 44 Pluton launchers with 100 plus missiles (to be replaced by HADES). 960 Tarasque 20mm AA cannons being delivered. 390 assorted 30 and 40mm AA guns. 69 AMX-13 DCA twin 30mm SP AA guns. 69 Improved HAWK triple missile launchers. 128 Roland SAM launchers (Air Force has Crotale system). Mistral SR AA missile system on order in large quantities. Infantry Weapons FA MAS 5.56mm assault rifle. M1949/56 7.5mm self loading rifles. (Both rifles fitted to fire rifle grenades which are the standard light AT weapon). FR-F1 7.62mm marksman rifle. MAT49 9mm SMG. AA52 7.62mm GPMG 12.7mm M2 HMG. 596 120-60 and 120-LT 120mm mortars. 81-61C and 81-61L 81mm medium mortars (60mm light mortars held for special units) 12,000 LRAC AT weapons. 83 SS11 ATGM systems. 1,400 MILAN AT systems How much did FA MAS replaced M1949/56 and M1 Garand rifles and MAT in units Edited July 6 by Perun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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