french army

daniel kochenberger · Post by **daniel kochenberger** » 21 May 2003 15:21

Hi,
Was the french army really effective (after june 1944),and also,was it incorporated to u.s. army?
many thanks!

Andy H · Post by **Andy H** » 21 May 2003 17:44

No Allied army was "Incorporated" into the US Army, rather that they served alongside them with there own national officers and structures.

Ultimately all the Allied armies (In Europe) came under the control of SHAEF, which was commanded by an American-Eisenhower.

Andy

ckleisch · Post by **ckleisch** » 21 May 2003 19:32

Gentlemen;
The French army was very active from Dec 1944 to the end of the war with the French 1st army under General de Tassigny. The French were under the command structure of General Devers 6th Army group. The french were involved in the fighting and liberation of Strasbourg and cleared the border of Germany across the top of Switzerland.
Units involved in the fighting were:
1st, 2nd and 5th Armoured
1st motorized, 2nd Moroccan, 4th Morrocan Mtn., 3rd Algerian, 9th colonial, 27th Alpine; gironde; 1st, 10th,14th Infantry.

daveh · Post by **daveh** » 21 May 2003 21:37

Why limit your question to North West Europe? I would suggest you read Cassino: The Hollow Victory by John Ellis ISBN0 7221 3285 9 for the success of French army units (2nd Moroccan and 3rd Algerian Divisions) in Italy in January 1944 and in May 1944.

May 1944 also present 1st French motorized division , 4th Moroccan mountain division, Goums.

The German Army Group C noted on May 1944 " especially noteworthy is the great manoeuvrability of the French (Moroccan) troops".

Andy H · Post by **Andy H** » 21 May 2003 23:51

http://www.thirdreichforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=22550

Try this link to the Thread in Enemies of section

Andy

ckleisch · Post by **ckleisch** » 22 May 2003 07:35

After, the seizure of the Bridge at Remagen the french had the audacity to ask for use of the bridge to stage their troops across so they could attack Baden and into Wurtemburg. Of course we know the answer to that but no one can not say they had a lot of zeal in wanting to restore their pride.

daniel kochenberger · Post by **daniel kochenberger** » 22 May 2003 17:54

thanks for the answers,but i'm pretty sure i saw some french officers in u.s. uniforms(i think it was in "historia"magazine)

CHRISCHA · Post by **CHRISCHA** » 24 May 2003 10:14

The US army equiped many of the French troops with weapons, vehicles and uniforms. Obviuosly the French army (not colonial) were mainly from the nucleous of the Free French who at one point had soldiers wearing French, Foreign Legion, British uniforms and civilian clothing.

They didn't have the ability to produce their own uniform whilst based in the UK and fighting in North Africa.

David Lehmann · Post by **David Lehmann** » 24 May 2003 13:37

ckleisch wrote:they had a lot of zeal in wanting to restore their pride.

French had not a lot of zeal ??????????

Have a look on this :
http://www.thirdreichforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=22921

Free French forces have been fighting from 1941 to 1945 as French forces but also integrated in allied navy and air forces ..... I first detailed French under german uniforms but also on the allied side.
During 1941-1943 in North Africa French forces had their weapons (even Somua S35 tanks from 1939 that were used against tha Afrika Korps, this model was also used by 21. PzD in Normandy) and uniforms but also some British equipement.
From 1943 they were using US weapons and uniforms.

David

CHRISCHA · Post by **CHRISCHA** » 25 May 2003 09:32

Some free French also served as fighter pilots in Russia flying Soviet planes against the Germans.

David Lehmann · Post by **David Lehmann** » 25 May 2003 10:59

Yes I indicated it, it is the "Normandie-Niémen" squadron with 273 confirmed kills on the eastern front.

David

CHRISCHA · Post by **CHRISCHA** » 25 May 2003 11:11

Sorry David, I only clicked on your excellent thread after adding my post.

Very well researched and it makes intresting reading.