Unit Organization

French Army

    The following listing(s) are for the French army circa 1940 through 1942, at which point in time those units still in service were either Vichy French or colonial. In either case, these organizational charts are good enough for a game.
   Most of the French regiments in colonies were composed of natives, and given the name Régiment de Tirailleurs Marocains ("Morocco Riflemen Regiment"), the last word being whatever country they were from. Other than having older, more obsolete weapons than the front line French units, these units were organized the same and for the most part used the same as standard French regiments. They were composed almost entirely of ethnic men from the region in question, normally led by "true" French officers. Although there is debate as to how effective they were as compared to standard French units, when it really comes down to it they were just as effective as any other unit would be in a given situation, no more likely to mutiny or chicken out of a fight than anyone else. Colonial units, although named differently, were simply French units transplanted to the colony for military duty.
    The standard infantry rifle was the Berthier Modèle 07/15 M16 or older Berthier Modèle 07/15, and if a unit was lucky it would be equipped with the MAS 36 rifle (very few were, and almost none were seen outside of France). 90 rounds of 8mm ammunition was standard issue for riflemen in a squad's shock element (basic riflemen), or 45 rounds if in the fire element (the part of the squad supporting the LMG - see below for details).  Pistols were either the MAS Modèle 1935S or older Modèle D'Ordonnance 1892 revolver (the revolver being more common in colonial France).  In addition to their weapon and any additional ammunition listed in the organizational charts below, most riflemen also carry a couple F1 Offensive Grenades.
    These listings are about as information-light as you'll get, since 1) I've had a difficult time finding good information on French military organization in WWII and 2) do you really need to know a ton of info about an army that only served as a road bump for both the German army in 1940, then the Allies during Operation Torch in 1942? The information below was enough for my needs, so it better be for yours as well. *glares*
 

French Army Ranks

The following table lists French Army ranks, and their equivalent American rank. When two names are listed separated by a slash ("/"), the first is for foot infantry and the second for motorized/mechanized.
 

Enlisted Ranks
US France
Private Soldat, Canonnier, Cavalier, Dragoon, etc.
Private, First Class 1re Classe (Soldat, Canonnier, Cavalier, etc.)
Corporal Caporal / Brigadier 
Sergeant Sergent / Maréchal-des-logis
Staff Sergeant Sergent-chef / Maréchal-des-logis-chef 
Master Sergeant
First Sergeant Adjudant 
Sergeant Major Adjudant-chef 
Command Sergeant Major Major

 

Officer Ranks
US France
Aspirant
2nd Lieutenant Sous-lieutenant 
1st Lieutenant Lieutenant 
Captain Capitaine
Major Chef de bataillon / Chef d'escadron 
Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant-colonel 
Colonel Colonel 
Brigadier General Général de brigade 
Major General Général de division 
Lieutenant General Général de corps d'armée 
General
General of the Army Général d'armée 

 
 

Infantry Battalion

Infantry Squad Tactics
    In practice, the infantry squads were split up into a Fire Element containing the assistant squad leader, LMG gunner, loader, and ammo carriers, and the Shock Element containing the four riflemen and (technically) the rifle grenadier, with the squad leader directing them all as needed. The Fire Element was tasked with providing suppressive fire for the Shock Element, which would then try to outflank the enemy.

Rifle Grenadiers
    The rifle grenadiers in each infantry platoon were dispatched by the VB Caporal at the platoon level, who would direct their fire as necessary. 

Platoon Trackers

French Colonial Rifle Platoon with Machinegun Squad (Green) -    PDF (144ppi)    PDF (72ppi)

 

Infantry Division & Regiment Excerpts

    The following is a brief list of some of the detachments available at the Divisional level:

    And some regimental detachments:

 

Groupe de Reconnaissance de Division d'Infanterie (GRDI)

    This battalion-sized unit, organized at the Infantry Division level, is a horse or mechanized Cavalry unit in charge of reconnaissance. In operations they were often used to reinforce Light Cavalry Divisions (DLC).
    This organizational chart is based on information that itself was largely guesswork, so don't go to your local History Professor and tell him how much you know about the French GRDI units as they stood in 1942. However, thanks to the decently accurate info I have on Infantry Companies, I think I've filled in the gaps satisfactorily. If you ignore the Battalion HQ/HQ Platoon info (which I had to make up almost completely from scratch) it's actually fairly correct.

 

 

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