1st Colonial Infantry Division (France)

Before World War I

Prior to the start of World War I, the division was composed of:

• 5th Colonial Infantry Regiment
• 6th Colonial Infantry Regiment
• 21st Colonial Infantry Regiment
• 23rd Colonial Infantry Regiment

However, in the re-organisation immediately prior to World War I, the division was disbanded, with the 5th and 6th Colonial Infantry Regiments going to the French 14th Corps, and the 21st and 23rd Colonial Infantry Regiments going to the French 1st Colonial Corps.

1927 - 1940

On 1 November 1927, the 1st Senegalese Colonial Infantry Division was recreated by transformation of the 35th infantry division. It was stationed in Bordeaux, and later renamed 1st Colonial Infantry Division.

It was an active division which existed during peacetime. The Senegalese Tirailleurs Regiments contained troops from French West Africa. The Colonial Infantry and Artillery Regiments were made up of French troops who had volunteered to serve overseas if needed.

During the Battle of France in May 1940 the division was made up of the following units:

• 3rd Colonial Infantry Regiment
• 12th Senegalese Tirailleurs Regiment
• 14th Senegalese Tirailleurs Regiment
• 71st Reconnaissance Battalion
• 1st Colonial Divisionary Artillery Regiment
• 201st Colonial Artillery Regiment

The Division was disbanded after the capitulation of the French Army in June 1940.

References

References

1. [http://www.troupesdemarine.org/traditions/histoire/hist007.htm] french: LES TROUPES COLONIALES EN 1914 (english: "COLONIAL TROOPS IN 1914"). Accessed 2009-08-23. [https://web.archive.org/web/20091105184120/http://www.troupesdemarine.org/traditions/histoire/hist007.htm Archived] 2009-09-04.
2. [[:fr:Ordre de bataille de l'armée française le 1er août 1914]] french: Ordre de bataille de l'armée française le 1er août 1914 (english: "Battle order of the French Army on August 1, 1914")