The writer writes that during WW 1 "French units acted in a way that may be translated into SF-activity of today."
Which units and operations is he refering to, if anybody knows?
Hope to hear from one who knows.
The author may refer to some units that were called "Corps Francs". Their role was to set up some kind of 'commando' actions behind the ennemy lines (destroying supply storages, taking a position by surprise, often at night in close range combat, etc.).
You may have heard of a French movie by Bertrand Tavernier called "Capitaine Conan" : it's the story of an officer commanding a "Corps Franc" on the Turkish front line in 1918. It's based on actual facts.
Prends garde aux rapaces qui fondent du ciel
Thanks Patrick
So that what it is. There is not much on the net about about French Corps Francs from WW 1, don't know if I am using wrong search words, and what there is are always refering to Capitaine Conan by Roger Vercel. I saw the film some years ago.
These units seem to have been forgotten, what a shame, though they also were around in 1939-40 according to this book.
Peter,
Please let me know if you will look for something of interest on the net about French Corps Francs from WW 1.
Thanks,
Pier Carlo
“Two things awe me most, the starry sky above me and the moral law within me.” - I. Kant
got did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed the day
yae though i walk in the shadow of the valley of death i will fear no evil for am the hardest bast..d in the valley
FRENCH SPECIAL FORCES IN WORLD WAR II
The corps franc of 1939-1940 is a special infiltration and deep reconnaissance unit. It is not really a special force unit. It is the equivalent of the German Stosstruppen. Concerning WW2, these corps francs were created in September 1939 with specially selected volunteers at the battalion, regimental and/or divisional level. These elite troops had the mission to infiltrate behind the enemy lines, to collect information, to organize ambushes or raids and to take prisoners.
The smallest element of a corps franc is a team of 6 men called “l’équipe” (= the team) or “sizaine”. All the members of the team have a combat knife, a handgun (revolver or pistol) and many grenades for close combat. These men are usually armed with the mousqueton (carbine) Berthier Mle1892 M16 and in each team there are usually 1-2 SMGs (typically Erma-Vollmer but also MAS38 SMGs, Suomi M31 from which 150 had been sent on the north-eastern front in 1939 and even German captured SMGs and even German captured SMGs) and 1 FM 24/29 LMG to increase the firepower (some captured MG34s are also used). Some shotguns were also used during the patrols. They carried also satchel charges if the mission required explosives. Several teams could be grouped together, for example a squad of 12 men will include 2 FM 24/29 LMGs and 2-4 SMGs and has therefore more automatic weapons than a regular infantry squad. The bigger unit including several teams is called the “groupe franc” (or “trentaine”) with 5 teams (30 men), it corresponds roughly to a platoon. The “groupe franc” is generally commanded by a lieutenant and is completely independent. Several “groupes francs” can be grouped for a specific mission into a “groupement franc”. Such a “groupement franc” includes usually a maximum of 6 “groupes francs” (180 men), roughly a company.
The SES "Section d'Eclaireurs Skieurs" (ski-scouts platoons) are elite deep reconnaissance troops. They play the same role than the corps francs but they are specialized in mountain warfare and winter conditions and present in the Chasseurs Alpins units.
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The French SAS are the direct ancestos of the first French airborne units. They operated in Africa and in Europe.
Fred Geille was born on 19th November 1896. In November 1914, at 18 years old he enlisted in the infantry and fought bravely on different fronts. He is wounded during an assault in April 1915. In 1917, his platoon leader is killed; he takes the command of the unit and pulls the Germans back. He is then promoted 2nd lieutenant and is awarded a citation by the division.
But Geille had a passion for aviation and in 1917 he is formed as aerial observer and enlisted in the BR 7 squadron. He behaved with the same bravery as in the infantry during various missions over the enemy lines. On 15th November 1918, he is awarded a second citation. In July 1919, he is sent in Poland in general Haller’s “blue division”, which was fully armed and equipped in French gear. He earns in Poland a third citation as excellent observer. On 25th May 1919, he flew during a reconnaissance over Tarnopol, 150km behind the enemy lines. The aircrafts was damaged by enemy fire at low altitude but he managed to bring back precious intelligence. Note that he married a Polish wife and had 3 girls with her : Danouta, Maryla and Héléna.
Back in France, he earned is pilot wings on 7th October 1920 and served successively in France, in North Africa and in the Levant (Syria and Lebanon), where he is promoted captain at Christmas 1927. Back in France, he will be in 1935-1937 at the origin of the first French airborne troops.
In 1935 an airborne training center is created by capitaine Geille at Avignon-Pujaut. The first French airborne troops were called "infanterie de l'air" and officially created on 1st April 1937, after a decision taken on 20th October 1936. Two "Groupes de l'Infanterie de l'Air" (GIA.) were formed (601st in Reims and 602nd in Baraki in Algeria).
Each group is composed of :
• one HQ
• one transport aircraft squadron
• one airborne infantry company (= CIA = Compagnie d'Infanterie de l'Air) : 175 men organized in 3 platoons + 1 support platoon (with 2 37mm TR infantry guns and 2 Hotchkiss Mle1914 HMGs).
Groupe de l'infanterie de l'air 601 (1937)
• commander : commandant Mayet (after commandant Arsac)
• commander of the infantry company : capitaine Sauvagnac assisted by lieutenant Glaizot (the lieutenants in the squads are Le Bourhis, Mayer, Audebert, Lespina, Fournier and Foucault)
Groupe de l'infanterie de l'air 602 (1937)
• commander : commandant Michel
• commander of the infantry company : capitaine Loizeau assisted by lieutenant Dupouts (the lieutenants in the squads are Fleury, Morel, Chevalier, Lemaître, Lemire and Bastouil)
Each 12-men squad is armed with Mousqueton Berthier Mle1892 M16, 2 FM 24/29 LMGs per squad, one VB launcher and hand grenades (36 carbines and 6 LMGs in one platoon). The MAS36 CR39, a MAS 36 with foldable stock specially designed for airborne troops was never put into service before the armistice. Seven Boys anti-tank rifles were also already used in the Corps Francs in 1939. The 37mm infantry guns and HMGs are launched in separate containers in the bomb bay of the planes but the small arms are attached to the men during the drop.
The doctrine and formation are inspired from the big Russian trainings observed in Kiev in 1935. Many specific equipments, girdles for the fixation of various equipments, the leg bag etc. are specially studied and realized by the French Air Force. These equipments were presented to the British forces in 1939 and adopted by the British SAS. The parachutes are first American Irvin sport models imported by the SGP (Société Générale des Parachutes) from the factory in England and Russian copies of the Irvin model and later French models: the Aviorex 120 and 130 models.
Concerning the transport aircrafts squadrons :
• GIA 601 started with Potez 650 and received Farman 224 in September 1939
• GIA 602 started with LeO 213 and was equipped with Potez 650 in March 1938
On 7th October 1937, capitaine Sauvagnac beats the world record of free fall without inhalator with 74 seconds.
At First the doctrine is concerning the use of small saboteurs groups for the destruction of factories or bridges. Much training was organized for the new airborne troops. For example in August 1937 the 601st CIA seized a bridge on the Durance and in September 1937 after a drop of 100m only in a rainy sky they seized by surprise the HQ of a whole division.
In October 1938 the whole 601st CIA is dropped on BA112 airbase by 5 planes and in less than 3 minutes after the beginning of the dropping the first 37mm rounds were shot. The German observers invited to this presentation were impressed and unlike the French high command they used these lessons.
In September 1939, the 601st is based in Avignon-Pujaut and the 602nd in Montélimar. In November 1939 they are directed towards Calais where they keep on alert, ready to embark in Farman 224s during one week. They were thought to jump over the Flessingue airbase and Arnemuisen isthmus in the Netherlands but the operation was never launched.
The French airborne companies are then used to form 4 "groupes francs" (52 men from the 601st CIA and 91 men from the 602nd CIA commanded by capitaine Glaizot) under the authority of the 28th alpine infantry division in Alsace. These groups are based in the No Man's Land, in Lembach (Alsace), 12km NE of Niederbronn (in the operational area of the 7th and 27th BCA - bataillon de chasseurs alpins -, alpine troops).
On February 14, 1940, the four "Groupes Francs" :
• Lieutenant Chevalier (based in Lembach)
• Lieutenant Le Bourhis (based in Lembach)
• Lieutenant Audebert (based in Obersteinbach, at 15 km west of Lembach)
• Lieutenant Lemaître (based in Obersteinbach, at 15 km west of Lembach)
are commanded by capitaine Henri Glaizot whose HQ is in Lembach.
Usually the work is divided into 3 days of patrol and 1 resting day during which capitaine Glaizot who is also a pilot, uses a recon plane from the observation squadron of Haguenau.
From 14th February to 11th March 1940 they led 28 patrols and 23 ambushes, sometimes more than 3 km behind the German lines. They lost only 2 KIAs (sergent Baratte - 602nd CIA - on 24th February and sergent Solacroup - 601st CIA - on 7th March) and 3 WIAs. They scored about 30 German soldiers KIA.
From 11th to 17th March, they returned in Niederbronn in the French lines and 54 French parachutists were awarded citations and on 22nd March the groupes francs are disbanded, the men return to their infanterie de l'air companies.
On 24th April, a group of 30 men from the 601st CIA under the commandment of capitaine Mayer was used for the protection of the French Air Force HQ and the General Vuillemin.
On 29th April, the 601st CIA left Avignon-Pujaut for Vimory next to Montargis (like the 602nd a bit later) and on 11th June the 601st CIA went to Avord. On 12th June a Farman 224 is shot down by a Me110 making 2 KIAs and 4 WIAs. During the different retreats of the French army, they organized the defense of different towns along the Loire River but they saw grossly no combat. The French airborne troops led only offensive actions during the phoney war.
On 17-27th June 1940, the "infanterie de l'air" is transferred in North Africa and on 25th August 1940, the units are disbanded.
[To continue]
The French airborne units of the free French forces were then created by General de Gaulle on 29th September 1940, under the command of Captain Georges Bergé (father of the French SAS). The first platoon was Jump certified at Christmas with the first British paratroopers in Central Landing Establishment - Ringway. In March and May 1941, two missions under the control of the SOE were completed in occupied France under the command of G.Bergé. ("Savanah" and "Josephine B").
These two missions were the first realized by allied forces in France. They have shown the ability to introduce a commando in occupied territory and exfiltrate it after the mission completed.
In June 1941, the 1st company was cut in three platoons. The first was assigned to the BCRA - the secret service of Free French - for special missions in occupied France. The two other platoons were the new 1st Air Infantry company (= CIA = Compagnie d'Infanterie de l'Air).
In July 1941, the 1st Air Infantry company went in North-Africa. After a time in Lebanon, the company becomes 1st "Compagnie de Chasseurs Parachutistes" (= CCP) and did a para training course in the Kabret Para Training Centre.
In September, Bergé who was now a great friend of David Stirling, obtained the authorization of General de Gaulle to be 3rd Squadron SPECIAL AIR SERVICE BRIGADE, because the ancestors of the famous General have fight in middle-age with the King of Scotland. The French General was along his life a great friend of Scottish. In November the 3rd Squadron - 1st CCP (Compagnie de Chasseurs Parachutistes) (50 Officers, NCOs and men) began its SAS specialized training. During this time in Great Britain a new Para Unit was created to welcome volunteers in a 2nd CIA.
From June to November 1942, a lot of missions were completed successfully by French and British SAS together on airfields and logistic bases on the coast of Lybia and Cyrenaïca. At this time the mission under the command of Bergé and Lord Jellicoe in Creta Island was completed, but unfortunately Bergé and two paras were captured, and one was killed in Heraklion. Some weeks after Stirling also failed and was captured. Along the war Bergé and Stirling were interned in the Colditz fortress in Germany.
At the end of December the 1st CCP has finished its operations in middle-east and went back in Great-Britain. At this time, a new 2nd SAS Para Company was created to operate in Tunisia with some officers and veterans of the French SAS Squad. After some successful fights, in January and February the 2nd company went also back in Great-Britain. The first page of French SAS history was written.
The French SAS received as a great award and tribute the famous SAS wings and three gold inscriptions on their battle-honour. In March 1943, the veterans of the 1st and 2nd SAS companies were totally integrated to the French forces in Great-Britain and formed the 1st and 2nd "Bataillon d'Infanterie de l'Air" (= BIA = Air Infantry Battalion).
In November a 3rd BIA was created in Lebanon and Algeria and was sent to Great-Britain. On 11th January 1944, the 1st BIA (renamed 4th BIA) and the 3rd BIA were integrated to the new SAS Brigade under the command of General MacLeod as 4th SAS and 3rd SAS. From February to May the French SAS trained sometimes with the 1st Polish Para Brigade in Largo to prepare the landing in Europe and the operations to liberate occupied territories.
During the night of 5th June 1944, 4 sticks of 4th SAS were dropped on north and south Brittany to prepare SAS bases ("Samwest", "Dingson", "Grog"), to take contact with local Resistance and established DZ and LZ for the battalion. The mission of the French SAS was to destroy all communication lines, to prepare ambushes and sabotages in order to prevent all enemy's movements toward Normandy. These men were amongst the first allied soldiers engaged for D-Day operations with allied pathfinders units. This fact was a decision of General Montgomery. Immediately after his landing, the stick from lieutenant Marienne had to fight against German troops (Ukrainians from Vlassov's army), and corporal Bouétard was wounded and killed by a German NCO. It is often said it was the first allied soldier KIA during D-Day operation.
One night after the D-Day, 18 French SAS teams known as "Cooney parties" were dropped on all parts of Brittany to accomplish sabotages on rail roads, roads etc. in order to cut hinder all German movements towards the Normandy beachheads. At this time in Brittany about 150,000 Germans were ready to head for the Normandy landing areas. Night after night, sticks of French SAS -4th Battalion- and containers were dropped in the area of St-Marcel (Morbihan) -"Baleine DZ"- to led ambushes and sabotages and all actions were successful. They grouped also about 10,000 French resistants to fight with them. The French SAS were never more than 450 men in that area. On 18th June, in the villages of Saint-Marcel and Serent a battle was led by 200 French SAS, 4 armed jeeps and 2500 men of the French resistance (FFI) against more than 5000 Germans supported by 81mm mortars. Along the day, the French resisted to the attacks helped in the afternoon by CAS provided by P47s from the USAF but at night they had to leave the battle area and get back in the maquis. Today a Resistance Museum with a SAS display is located in the village of Saint-Marcel. After this combat, the SAS were strongly hunted and many retaliation acts were realized against the civilians.
During July, the French SAS accomplished many missions in order to delay the German forces. Less than 500 men were opposed to very importance enemy forces. In August, the 3rd US Army (Patton) came in Brittany. The 2nd Squadron of 3rd SAS was dropped in Brittany to reinforce 4th SAS. There were also a lot of armed jeeps landed by gliders (the single glider SAS operation of WW2). At the end of the Brittany campaign the French SAS had lost more than 65% of their men. Immediately, the SAS wings worn directly on left breast were awarded to 4th SAS renamed 2nd RCP (= Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes). The 3rd SAS became 3rd RCP. At the end of the Brittany campaign the French SAS had received for the first time the red beret. It is worn with the para cap-badge but without the lion and the crown.
From 1942 to September 1944 the French SAS have had the black beret with the same insignia. Only on 11th November, the 2nd RCP got the red beret with the SAS winged dagger embroidered cap badge to parade in Paris on the "Champs Elysées". A few time later the 3rd RCP received also the red beret with SAS cap-badge.
In August a team of 4th SAS was the first to fight in Paris for the liberation of the city. They are the first allies to enter into Paris. From September to November 1944, many SAS operations were realized in France by the two French regiments : "spencer", "harrods", "barker", "bullbasket2", "dickens", "moses", "derry", "samson", "salesman", "marshall", "snelgrove", "jockworth", "newton" and "abel". In the same time the 1st and 2nd SAS operated successfully in central and eastern France while 5th SAS operated in Normandy and on the Belgian border.
On 4th September, in the small town of "Sennecey le Grand" took place an epic combat. 4 jeeps of 3rd RCP under the command of Lieutenant Combaud de Roquebrune attacked a strong enemy convoy. Many Germans were killed, but unfortunately, the jeeps were destroyed by tanks. Now, in Sennecey le Grand stays the Inter-allied Memorial of the SAS Brigade, as a wish of David Stirling himself. At Christmas, 2nd RCP was engaged in the battle of the Bulge during operation "Franklin". Only at the end of January 1945 the regiment went back to France. After a time of training in Great Britain, the SAS were prepared for a new mission, the last of the war.
In April 1945, the last and the most important SAS operation of WW2 ("Amherst") under command of Brigadier General M. Calvert, was completed in northern Holland by 700 men of the two French regiments (this was the biggest SAS operation of WW2). Dropped, as an arrow head for the 1st Armoured Canadian Corps, during night and with very bad meteorological conditions, the sticks landed far from planed DZ. The operation was successful. In the same time British SAS had realized operation "Keystone".
On 8th May 1945, at the end of WW2 in Europe, the two French SAS regiments were assigned to French Air Force. The flag of the French SAS presented to 4th BIA in Edimburgh on 11th May 1944, was a gift of the French-Scottish association. It was one of the most awarded allied unit during WW2. On 11th November 1944, General De Gaulle during a famous parade on Champs-Elysées in Paris added the Cross of Liberation to the flag of the French SAS. The 2nd and 3rd RCP were disbanded (September 1945) and a new 2nd RCP was created. Later a SAS half-brigade was created to fight in Indochina (1946-1948) and the 2nd RCP was disbanded in Algeria at Philippeville which was also the garrison of British 2nd SAS after the landing in North-Africa in November 1942. After the half-brigade was also disbanded in 1948, the Para-Commandos of Oversea Forces took the traditions of the French SAS.
[To Continue]
Since 1981, 1st RPIMa (1st Parachute Marine Infantry Regiment) has the missions and the traditions of the French SAS as an airborne intelligence and special operation unit. The SAS wings of WW2 with in the middle the Chimera of Indochina are worn as a special qualification on the left breast like British SAS wings, after three missions. "Who Dares Wins" is also the motto of French SAS "Qui Ose Gagne". The missions were completed in Africa, in Middle-East, during Desert Storm, in Kosovo, Yugoslavia, on Serbian border and in Afghanistan etc.
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You have also the commando-marines (marine infantry commandos). They were formed in Great Britain and as soon as 1941 they led various amphibious missions. The 177 French commando-marines participated at the Normandy landing during the 1st wave as troops n°1 and n°8 from the 4th British Commando. They landed at Sword Beach in front of Ouistreham and the strongpoint "Riva Bella". The French Commando-marines were used later in other operations, especially in the Netherlands. At Walcheren for example, the first assault was led by the troops of the 4 Cdo with the French commando-marines. They landed in Vlissingen (uncle beach). 5 hours later the Royal Marines 41, 47, 48, a Dutch troop and a Norwegian troop landed at Westkapelle.
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Beside the French SAS and commando-marines there are other not well known French commandos who were active in the Pacific theater of operations during WW2. The CLI (corps léger d'intervention = light intervention corps) including 500-700 men at the creation in 1943 (in Algeria, under the command of colonel Huard) and 1600 men in 1945 was formed by various commandos called "Gaurs". They are the French equivalent of the "Chindits" and they were active in Burma and especially in Indochina from 1944 to 1946. The CLI was integrated in the 20th Indian division and was dropped behind the Japanese lines for guerrilla actions. They lost 120 KIA and 209 WIA. On 1st May 1945, in India, the unit becomes the 5e RIC including an airborne battalion and a SAS battalion (airborne and amphibious operations). The SAS battalion includes the marine commandos from capitaine de corvette Pierre Ponchardier also known as "commando Ponchardier" (or "tigers' commando" by the Viet-Minh). After WW2, operation in October 1945 around Saigon against the Viet-Minh, liberation of southern Indochina. Operation in Mytho, Vinh Long, Canthö, Tra Vinh etc. In 2 months the commandos free dozen of French people, 800 Christian annamists and liberates several areas. They are directly under the command of General Leclerc.
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The French 1st Army also includes sevral shock troops (commandos) :
• Bataillon d'Afrique
• Bataillon de Choc
• Bataillon de France
Regards,
David
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French Paratroopers on parade, 1939-40 (Photo 1 & 2)
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THE SMGs IN THE FRENCH ARMY IN 1939-1940
End of 1918 the French troops face a new German automatic individual weapon. This weapon is the Bergmann MP 18-1 SMG (9x19mm, 32 cartridges, weight of 5.9 kg). Only 15 days after the armistice of WW1 the German SMG is tested intensively and the French army requests a SMG in the 1921 armament program. It should fire the 9x19mm ammunition at a rate of fire of 400-500 rpm, at a range of 200m, with an internal mechanism similar to the German SMG but it must be lightweight, only 3 to 4 kg. The future SMG should be simple and robust. It is intended for raids, trench warfare and close combat in general.
Before the official requests, the STA (Section Technique de l'Artillerie) begins in 1919 the development of a SMG. Various prototypes of the Pistolet Mitrailleur (PM) STA are built and tested between 1921 and 1925. Until 1924 this SMG is the single French candidate.
The Manufacture d'Arme de Saint-Etienne (MAS) develops the MAS 24 type 1 and type 1bis (9x19mm). The PM STA, the PM MAS 24 as well as the MP 18-2 and the Thompson 1921 SMGs are tested by the commission of Versailles. The MP 18-2 and the Thompson are judged too heavy and the French army wants a SMG firing the 9x19mm whereas the Thompson is chambered in .45 APC (11.43x23mm). The PM STA is compared to the MAS SMGs in February 1925. The STA SMG is judged excellent and 8,250 SMGs are ordered in August 1925. The PM STA Mle1924 is the first official French SMG.
The STA SMGs of the first production batches are equipped with a bipod and the iron sight is graduated up to 600m, the maximum range of the 9mm Parabellum projectile. This seems today a bit strange but the weapon was thought to be also possibly used as LMG. The bipod is abandoned after the first batches. The STA SMG is the first French SMG, it is modern for its time. The Beretta Mle1938 was born about 10 years after the PM STA Mle1924 and is very similar to this French SMG.
Nonetheless, after the adoption of the PM STA Mle1924 the manufacturing is hampered by imbroglios in the high spheres of decision. The SMG in surprisingly not seen anymore as an offensive weapon but rather as a personal defense weapon, a bit like today's PDW SMGs (Heckler & Koch MP5K and MP7, FN P90 etc.), replacing the pistols for the officers and the crews. The frontline soldiers have to use their cartridge (8x50Rmm at that time, later 7.5x54mm) at full range whereas the officers, telephonists, drivers, gunners, collective weapons crews, tank crews, fortification crews etc. can be armed with a SMG as emergency weapon. Therefore the SMG should be very compact and lightweight. The SMG is nonetheless still seen as a good weapon for trench warfare and raids but only for small groups of men (and therefore small quantities are required). This philosophy and the adoption of the 7.65x22mm (7.65mm Longue) cartridge for close defense (same calibre as for the SACM Mle1935A and the MAS Mle1935S pistols) according to this doctrine will lead the French army to miss the opportunity of having a large number of SMGs in 1940. From 1925 to 1928 only about 1,000 PM STA Mle1924 are produced. They saw action before WW2 in Morocco during the Rif war. The 7.65x22mm SMGs are used as personal defense weapons whereas the 9x19mm SMGs are used for raids.
The adoption of the FM Mle1924 (later FM Mle1924/29) LMG will also slow down the development of the French SMGs during the 1920's and 1930's. All the credits are used for the replacement of the FM Mle1915 Chauchat as squad LMG. The LMG is seen as sufficient as automatic weapon. The officers and crews can be armed with carbines (mousqueton Berthier Mle1892 M16) and/or pistols/revolvers. There don't seem to be an urgent need for SMGs. The production of SMGs is always postponed because of financial issues.
The MAS (Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Etienne) will propose various SMGs in 9x19mm and 7.65x22mm from 1924 to 1935, all based on the former MAS 24, leading finally to the MAS Mle1935. In 1936 different SMGs are proposed to the French army:
• PM MAS Mle1935 (7.65x22mm)
• PM CEV (Commission d'Expériences de Versailles) (7.65x22mm)
• PM CEI (Commission d'Expérience de l'Infanterie) (7.65x22mm)
• PM ETVS (Etablissement Technique de Versailles) (7.65x22mm)
• PM Thompson Mle1921 (11.43x23mm)
• PM Bergmann 18-2 (9x19mm)
Finally improvements are asked for all the SMGs e.g. foldable stock and foldable magazine (like on the later and famous MAT Mle1949 SMG). Of course the foreign SMGs are still too heavy for the French requirements.
An other manufacturer enters in the game : the SACM (Société Alsacienne de Construction Mécanique) with Charles Petter, one of its very good engineers. This society produces already the Mle1935 A pistol. In 1935 the SACM proposes a new SMG but it is tested only in 1937. The "Petter" SMG is finally accepted as the PM Mle1939. It should enter in service after the mobilisation as the second official SMG of the French army and should be tested among the troops like the PM ETVS and the PM MAS 35. Nonetheless the order of 3,000 SMGs is rejected by the SACM, the manufacturer is indeed already too busy producing the Mle1935 A pistol, barrels for the Hotchkiss Mle1914 MG as well as barrels for the Lebel Mle1886/93 and MAS Mle1936 rifles. Only 50 PM "Petter" will be delivered to the French army.
Beside the need of a small and lightweight SMG for personal defense, the interest for a SMG in 9x19mm for raids and trench warfare has not disappeared. From 1935 to 1940 the contacts with Bergmann and Thompson are maintained but things are always delayed.
A new source is found when many Spanish republican troops seek refuge in France. They are disarmed at the border and many weapons are seized and stocked. The French can then test Russian tanks, Russian MGs (some will be used in AA defense), Oerlikon AA guns (later officially adopted and ordered as 20mm CA Mle1939) and various small arms including SMGs (Erma-Vollmer MP, MP 28, MP 34 or their Spanish copies in 9mm Largo). The biggest number of seized SMGs is constituted by 3,250 EMP but with only 1,540 magazines.
The French army has also 300 Suomi M/31 SMGs and 150 of them are directed to the north-eastern front during the 1939-1940 winter. In 1938 3,000 Thompson Mle1921 (and 30,000,000 .45ACP cartridges) are ordered to the USA and they are all delivered by end 1939. They are nonetheless judged too heavy, bulky and too expensive. Just before WW2 1,000 MP28-2 SMGs are ordered for the French police and it seems that not all of these weapons were delivered before the war. The French army studies the possibility of ordering Bergmann SMGs but this is cancelled due to the nationality of the manufacturer.
[To Continue]
On 3rd September 1939, French enters WW2. During the "Phoney War" most of the combats consists in patrols, raids and fore posts skirmishes which would especially require SMGs. After several weeks the requests for SMGs accumulate on the desks of the High Command. Every SMG is then put into service : the old MP 18-1 seized in 1918, several MP 18-2, the ex-Spanish Erma MP, all the others available SMGs in 9x19mm and several dozen Spanish copies of German SMGs chambered in 9mm Largo. The Erma MP becomes the typical SMG used by the "groupes francs" but from the 3,250 seized SMGs only about 1,000 are used due to lack of magazines. The French SMGs in 7.62x22mm are also sometimes used but they are more frequent as personal defense weapons. Typical infantry or cavalry units are also sometimes equipped with SMGs but generally only 1 or 2 per whole platoon.
The corps franc is a special infiltration and deep reconnaissance unit. It is the equivalent of the German Stosstruppen. Concerning WW2, these corps francs were created in September 1939 with specially selected volunteers at the battalion, regimental and/or divisional level. These elite troops had the mission to infiltrate behind the enemy lines, to collect information, to organize ambushes or raids and to take prisoners.
The smallest element of a corps franc is a team of 6 men called “l’équipe” (= the team) or “sizaine”. All the members of the team have a combat knife, a handgun (revolver or pistol) and many grenades for close combat. These men are usually armed with the mousqueton (carbine) Berthier Mle1892 M16 and in each team there are usually 1-2 SMGs (typically Erma-Vollmer but also MAS38 SMGs, Suomi M31 and even German captured SMGs) and 1 FM 24/29 LMG to increase the firepower (some captured MG34s are also used). Some shotguns were also used during the patrols. They carried also satchel charges if the mission required explosives. Several teams could be grouped together, for example a squad of 12 men will include 2 FM 24/29 LMGs and 2-4 SMGs and has therefore more automatic weapons than a regular infantry squad. The bigger unit including several teams is called the “groupe franc” (or “trentaine”) with 5 teams (30 men), it corresponds roughly to a platoon. The “groupe franc” is generally commanded by a lieutenant and is completely independent. Several “groupes francs” can be grouped for a specific mission into a “groupement franc”. Such a “groupement franc” includes usually a maximum of 6 “groupes francs” (180 men), roughly a company.
The SES or "Section d'Eclaireurs Skieurs" (ski-scouts platoon) are elite deep reconnaissance troops. They play more or less the same role than the corps francs but they are specialized in mountain warfare and winter conditions.
Most of the 3,000 Thompson Mle1921 SMGs remained surprisingly in armories or were only tested in Morocco during 1940. They were only issued occasional in May/June 1940 or delivered to military police units (e.g. gendarmes that fought on the Loire River in June 1940). The Thompson SMGs were for example also used by the Laffly W15T CC tank destroyer crews (126 SMGs issued to the 14 self-propelled anti-tank batteries) and apparently by several AA units. They were more largely distributed among the Vichy French troops in 1941.
On the French side, there are about 1,000 STA SMGs (but how many in France and how many issued in 1940 ?), the small number of tested PM ETVS (50 SMGs) is pressed in service as well as the PM Petter (50 SMGs). Only the MAS would be able to produce rapidly in large numbers its MAS 35, which had been rejected by the army. The PM MAS 35 is adopted as the PM MAS Mle1938 and in January 1940 19,500 SMGs are ordered but the first batch is only delivered on 3rd May 1940. Until 23rd June 1940, only 1,958 MAS38 SMGs are delivered. The MAS38 was thus rare, with only individual weapons seeing service rather than systematic issue to particular unit types. This SMG was later used by the Germans under the name MP 722(f).
A Swiss manufacturer, the EMP (Etablissements Mécaniques de Précision) is contacted to produce a copy of the Erma MP. Beginning 1940 the SMG is immediately rejected, it is judged too inferior to the original German SMG.
The most surprising is probably that in 1940 the Beretta Mle1938 SMG is tested and should have been ordered, but 2 weeks later Italy declared war to France which was already defeated by Germany. The similarity between the French STA SMG and the Beretta SMG produced about 10 years later is amazing.
Finally beside the Erma-Vollmer SMG used by the "groupes francs" only few SMG were used in May/June 1940. About 100 MAS35 were delivered for testing before the adoption of the MAS38.The later MAS38 SMGs were delivered to every kind of units, sometimes as weapon for the loader of the LMG in the infantry squad. The 345e CACC, an independent tank company equipped with Renault D2 tanks is also issued with SMGs as individual weapons for example. The other available SMGS are 50 ETVS, 50 Mle1939 Petter, several hundreds Thompson Mle1921, 150 Suomi M/31, several Steyr and a few German SMGs.
ALL the SMGs used by the French Army in May/June 1940 :
French origin :
• PM MAS Mle38 : 1,958 (19,500 ordered)
• PM STA Mle1924 : 1,000 (8,500 ordered)
• PM Petter Mle1939 : 50 (3,000 ordered)
• PM ETVS : 50 used from a total of about 100 produced
Foreign origin :
• MP 18-1 and MP 18-2 : very few
• MP 28-2 : 1,000 ordered for the police but not all delivered
• MP 34 : 200
• Erma-Vollmer MP : 3,250 but only 1,540 magazines available (only about 1,000 SMGs really used)
• Steyr : about 50
• Suomi M/31 : 300 available and 150 used on the front
• Thompson Mle1921 (and perhaps Mle1928) : 3,000 available but only several hundreds used in 1940
Pistolet Mitrailleur STA Mle1924
Type : Sub-machinegun
Total length : 855 mm
Weight (empty) : 3.50 kg
Barrel Length : 240 mm
Caliber : 9x19 mm
Magazine : 32 rounds magazines
Rate of fire : 380 rpm
V° : 360 m/s
Pistolet Mitrailleur Mle1939 PETTER
Type : Sub-machinegun
Total length : 645 mm (388 mm with folded stock)
Weight (empty) : 2.90 kg
Barrel Length : 200 mm
Caliber : 7.65x22 mm Longue
Magazine : 36 rounds magazines
Rate of fire : 600 rpm
V° : 380 m/s
Pistolet Mitrailleur Erma Vollmer (Erma MP) - German : Maschinenpistole 740(f) -
Type : Sub-machinegun
Total length : 890 mm
Weight (empty) : 4.30 kg
Barrel Length : 250 mm
Caliber : 9x19 mm
Magazine : 32 rounds magazines
Rate of fire : 500 rpm
V° : 390 m/s
Pistolet Mitrailleur MAS Mle1938 - German : Maschinenpistole 722(f) -
Type : Sub-machinegun
Total length : 630 mm
Weight (empty) : 2.90 kg
Barrel Length : 220 mm
Caliber : 7.65x22 mm Longue
Magazine : 32 rounds magazines
Rate of fire : 640 rpm
V° : 380 m/s
Pistolet Mitrailleur Type ETVS - German : Maschinenpistole 721(f) -
Type : Sub-machinegun
Total length : 670 mm (420 mm with folded stock)
Weight (empty) : 2.70 kg
Barrel Length : 210 mm
Caliber : 7.65x22 mm Longue
Magazine : 32 rounds magazines
Rate of fire : 500 rpm
V° : 380 m/s
Therefore in 1939-1940, the French army uses generally the 7.65x22mm SMGs for the personal defense and the 9x19mm and 11.43x23mm SMGs for raids, ambushes, trench warfare and close combat. Nonetheless the MAS38 is also sometimes used by the "groupes francs" or the SES (probably for the LMG loader). This SMG will be produced until the 1950's. It will be used in Indochina and among police and gendarmerie units until the 1970's or even 1980's.
From 1942 on, the Thompson SMGs are widely used by the French troops and several units like the French SAS or the commandos-marine equipped with British weapons use various Sten SMGs. Later during the Indochina war (1946-1954) the following SMGs will be used by the French army :
• MAS 38
• MAS 48 type C4b (a modified MAS 38 in 9x19mm with the same magazines than the MP 40 - 6,290 issued in 1950 e.g. 2e BEP)
• CMH.2 (Carabine Mitrailleuse Hotchkiss in 9x19mm, less than 7,000 produced)
• Thompson M1A1
• Sten MkII (e.g. GCMA)
• Sten MkV (e.g. commando Ponchardier)
• M3A1 "Grease Gun" (e.g. GCMA)
• MP 40 (e.g. among the commandos-marine)
• MAT 49 (issued from 1950 on)
The development of the French SMGs in 1919-1940 appears a bit pitiful : the potential was there, there was a good SMG already available in the 1920's but once again some people in the high spheres of decision wasted all the efforts. Of course there were also the financial issues and the fact that the testing commission was too perfectionist instead of using in high numbers the initial STA SMG, which would have increased the firepower of the French infantry in close combat. Nonetheless, in 1939/1940, except the German one, no army had a high number of SMGs. At this time the British army was not better equipped than the French one, it had perhaps even less SMGs available.
Regards,
David
************************************************** *****
Source: David Lehman from Axis History Forum
I have to say that I was suprised to find ot that "corps franc" have already been formed during World War I! I don't know why but I have always been under impression that they have been formed after the Great War.It seems that the French concept of corps franc (well at least in the beginning) was very similar to the Italian concept of "arditi d'assalto". Very interesting.
As far as the rest of the comments in this topic is concerned I can only say - very mature, guys. Please use rather pm when washing dirty laundry.
Operation "Desert Storm" (Irak 1990/1991)
Nach der Invasion irakischer Truppen in Kuwait und dem darauffolgenden weltweiten Aufschrei, entsandte Frankreich wie zahlreiche andere Länder auch, Truppen in die bedrohte Region.
Dies umfasste etwa 13.500 Soldaten und neben Schiffen und Kampfflugzeugen auch Bodentruppen. Diese setzen sich neben Teilen der 4. luftbeweglichen Division, Teilen der 9. Marinedivision und Teilen der 10. Panzerdivision, aus einer leichten Panzerdivision zusammen, welche den größten Teil stellte. Diese provisorisch als 6. verstärkte leichte Panzerdivision "Daguet" bezeichnete Einheit setzte sich neben dem 1.Regiment de Sphais (35 AMX-10RC), dem 21. Marineinfanterieregiment (mit Tpz VAB), dem 68. Marineartillerieregiment (4 Batterien mit 155 mm Feldhaubitzen und 1 Batterie Mistral FlaRak), auch aus Legionseinheiten zusammen.
Diese umfasste die Panzeraufklärer des 1.REG mit 35 AMX-10RC, die Infanteristen des 2.REI mit Tpz VAB und die Pionieren des 6.REG (1999 zu 1.REG umbenannt). Bei den Fallschirmjägern des 2.REP hoffte man auch auf eine Verlegung, doch nur die Spezialeinheit CRAP (die heutige GCP) kam in die Region.
Nach der vollständigen Verlegung und mit Beginn der Luftoffensive gegen den Irak rückte der Einsatztermin der Bodenoffensive immer näher. Die französische Division "Daguet" war dem XVIII. Airborne Corps der Amerikaner unterstellt worden, und wurde durch die 2. Brigade der amerikanischen 82. Airborne Division (Luftlandedivision) verstärkt. Neben dem 3.ACR (Armored Cavalery Regiment = Gepanzertes Kavallerieregiment) das schon seit 80 Jahren kein Pferd mehr gesehen hatte und nun mit den neuen M1A1 Abrams Kampfpanzer operierte, waren diesem Corps auch noch die 82. Airborne Division, die 101. Air Assault Divison (Luftsturmdivision), auch als "Screming Eagles" bekannt, sowie die amerikanische 24. Infanteriedivision unterstellt. Ziel der Division "Daguet" sollte das irakische Fort As Salaman sein, da so die Flanken des Korps geschützt wurden und der irakische Nachschub und die Verstärkung für die in Kuwait stehenden irakischen Truppen unterbunden werden konnte.
Als 24. Februar um 6 Uhr die Bodenoffensive begann, operierten an vorderster Front US Special Forces und Legionäre der Fernspäheinheit CRAP. Diese meldeten ihre Aufklärungsergebnisse unverzüglich weiter und legten große Distanzen mit ihren modifizierten Fahrzeugen zurück. Die auf einer nahegelegenen Autobahn vorgehenden Franzosen nutzen ihre Vorteile Geschwindigkeit, Beweglichkeit und Feuerkraft. Während am Boden pausenlos AMX-10RC das Feuer aus den 105 mm Bordkanonen eröffneten, feuerten die immer in der Luft schwebenden Hubschrauber vom Typ Gazelle Welle für Welle HOT-Panzerabwehrraketen gegen den Feind und Jaguar-Jagdbomber griffen im Tiefflug an. Anfangs wurden nur irakische Panzer zerstört, doch später auch LKWs und Jeeps. Das einzige Problem stellte ein aufkommender Sandsturm dar, doch richtete er keine Schäden an, da in den meisten Fahrzeugen und Helikoptern dank den Erfahrungen im Tschad Luftfilter eingebaut waren. Der Vormarsch der Division "Daguet", der 82. Airborne Division und der 101. Air Assault Division waren so schnell vorangegangen, dass andere Verbände Mühe hatten Schritt zu halten.
Am Morgen des 25. Februar, einen Tag nach Angriffsbeginn, hatten die Franzosen As Salaman umzingelt. Hierbei kam es aber zu einem Zwischenfall. Zwei Legionäre der Spezialeinheit CRAP wurden durch eine Sprengfalle getötet, die von irakischen Pionieren gelegt wurde, als sie ein Haus durchsuchten. Am Abend hatten die Franzosen schließlich die 45. irakische Division vernichtet und bei eigenen Verlusten von den zwei besagten Toten und 25 Verwundeten zwischen 2.500 und 3.000 Kriegsgefangene gemacht.
Am 28. März endete der 2. Golfkrieg und Frankreich hatte "nur" den Verlust der 2 CRAP-Fernspäher zu beklagen.
Source: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Hehehehe... A special unit named CRAP?
Hehehe... Now that had to be annoying!
Bonjour Hannibal,
Thank you for giving me an enjoyable morning reading material that's typically difficult to find. Had a relaxing time going through it.
A usual rule in writing US military history is to never mention shotguns. It's a forbidden subject.
The Thompson SMG is a strong part of American lore. Both the Moros of the Phillippine Islands and bank tellers in Chicago appreciated its attributes.
Great material!
Saluations,
BobW
aaaaaa
Correct. The "Corps Francs" were re-activated in WW2, as mentioned by hannibal in his posts. For the anecdote, Joseph Darnand, was in one of those units in 1940. He performed very well and earned several citations. Unfortunately, the rest of his story is much darker as he became the head of the Vichy collaborationist "auxiliary police" called Milice. For that, he was trialed and executed after the Liberation.Originally Posted by Peter Lyderik
I found little litterature about the WW1 Corps Francs, except the book that served as a basis for movie "Capitaine Conan" that you've mentioned.
Prends garde aux rapaces qui fondent du ciel
Hannibal : in your posts about the origin of French airborne units, you forget to mention 1er RCP (Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes), which is also an heir of 601 and 602 CIA. Capt Georges Mayer (nicknamed "Prosper") who's mentioned in one of your posts became later a CO of this regiment in Algeria.
Contrary to the SAS type units, specialised in "commando actions", 1er RCP structure and missions were directly derived from the US airborne troops. It was basically and airborne infantry unit and was entirely equipped and trained by the 82nd Abn Div in North Africa in 1942-43. 1er RCP participated in the Vosges and Alsace campaign in 1944/45 in the 1ere Armée Française or Gen de Lattre.
Since 601 and 602 CIA were part of the Air force, 1er RCP is the only Army regiment where the Air force "charognards" (vultures) are worn on the shoulders, to remember this lineage. The motto is "prends garde aux rapaces qui fondent du ciel" (beware of the prey birds bearing down from the sky) and the patch, originally designed by Capt Sauvagnac, well... it's my avatar !
Prends garde aux rapaces qui fondent du ciel
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