2nd Colonial Infantry Division (France) explained

Unit Name:2nd Colonial Infantry Division
Dates:Before 1901 - 1923
July 1927 - June 1940
Allegiance:France
Branch:French Army
Type:Infantry Division
Role:Infantry
Battles:
Notable Commanders:Paul Leblois
Joseph Gaudérique Aymerich

The 2nd Colonial Infantry Division (French: 2e Division d'Infanterie Coloniale, 2e DIC) was a French Army formation which fought in World War I and World War II.

World War I

At the start of World War I, the division was commanded by General Paul Leblois and composed of:[1]

4e Régiment d'Infanterie Coloniale

8e Régiment d'Infanterie Coloniale

22e Régiment d'infanterie Coloniale

24e Régiment d'infanterie Coloniale

During the entire 1st World War, the Division was part of the French 1st Colonial Corps and fought in many major battles in France.

1927 - 1940

On 1 November 1927, the 2nd Senegalese Colonial Infantry Division was recreated by transformation of the 30th infantry division.
It was stationed in Toulon, and later renamed 2nd Colonial Infantry Division.

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

The Division was first stationed in the Alps, but later moved to the North, where it fought in the Seine and Loire regions.
The Division was disbanded after the capitulation of the French Army in June 1940.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.troupesdemarine.org/traditions/histoire/hist007.htm