The French ** Infantry Division** was one of the oldest divisions of the French army.

Heads of the Infantry Division

The Hundred Days

Schmitz brigade, commanded by Brigade General Nicolas Schmitz. Aulard brigade, commanded by Brigade General Pierre Aulard. company of the Foot Artillery Regiment, with 8 troops.

1870 War

The division was part of the Rhine Army, commanded by Marshall Mac Mahon. Composition : After the dissolution of the Imperial Army, it joined the new Armée de la Loire, commanded by General Louis d'Aurelle de Paladines. Infantry Division : General Martineau des Chenez

First World War

Composition during the War

The Infantry Division was mobilised in the Military Region in August 1914. Its infantry was originally organized as two brigades. In November 1916, the division was triangularized. The two regiments of the 3rd Brigade were sent to the 51st Infantry Division, while those of the 4th Brigade, and the newly attached 208th (which came from the 51st Division) went directly under divisional command. Infantry Artillery Cavalry Engineers

History

1914

4–13 August 13–23 August 23–29 August 29 August – 6 September 6–13 September 13 September – 12 December 12 December 1914 – 12 January 1915

1915

12–20 January 20 January – 2 March 2 March – 5 April 5–11 April 11–29 April 29 April – 11 May 11–15 May 15 May – 3 September 3 September – 2 October 2 October 1915 – 12 February 1916

1916

12–21 February 21 February – 8 March 8 March – 14 April 14 April – 24 July 24 July – 3 September 3 September – 5 October 5–9 October 9–16 October 16 October – 30 November 30 November – 14 December 14 December 1916 – 6 January 1917

1917

6 January – 27 February 21 February – 6 March 6 March – 8 April 8–19 April 19 April – 7 July 7–30 July 30 July – 4 August 4–22 August 22 August – 6 October 6–16 October 16 October – 21 November 21 November – 7 December 7 December 1917 – 17 January 1918

1918

17 January – 20 March 20–31 March 31 March – 20 May: Retreat from the front; movement towards Fismes, and, on 3 April, towards Écuiry ; rest. 20–31 May 31 May – 18 July 18–27 July 27 July – 19 August 19–29 August 29 August – 11 September 11 September – 28 October 28 October – 11 November

Hierarchy

The division was part of the 1ier Corps d'Armée from mobilisation in August 1914 until the Armistice of 11 November 1918.

The Second World War

Under the order of battle of 10 May 1940, the Infantry Division joined the Colonial Army Corps (with the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division and the 56th (London) Infantry Division), under the command of General Condé of the Third French Army. Structure of the division in 1939:

Notes and references