- French WWII Armoured Infantry
(1938-1941)
- Table of Organization
& Equipment:
By
Panzerfaust
More
info gleaned over the years, this time for any wishing to run
Frenchmen from 1938-41 (this organization lasted well into Vichy
periods and was even beginning to be adopted by colonial forces in
Syria before their removal)
Building
a mechanized warmachine that dwarfed and eventually might have
surpassed the fledgling Wehrmacht was a French goal. One that if not
for the Old school and the hard needed currency spent on Maginot might
have come to pass. Combined arms doctrine originated in French circles
but adopted by the Germans with their usual efficiency in practice.
Unable to acquire the proper command elements such as radios the
formation of proper mechanized formations lagged but was certainly
real. Who knows another couple of years and superior equipment used in
action instead of reaction would have relegated the Outmoded and
poorly equipped Wehrmacht into the place now held by the French
Military of WW2 (or even half baked use during Poland for that
matter).
While
building purpose ridden formation like the tank divisions of France
the call went out for Mechanized infantry known as dragons portes.
These men would eventually be formed into division Legere mechaniques
to support the armored spearheads such as the german Panzergrenadiers.
The
basic squad was as follows.
|
Rifle Section |
# |
Weapon FP Value |
Total FP Value |
Morale Grade |
|
Fusilier Team |
|
|
|
Line |
|
Driver (Lebel M1892) |
1 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
|
LMG (Chatellerault FM 24/29) |
1 |
9 |
9 |
|
|
Loader (Lebel M1892) |
1 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
| Riflemen (MAS 36) |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Eclairer Team |
|
|
|
Line |
| Team Leader (MAS 36) |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Driver (Lebel M1892) |
1 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
| Rifle Grenadier (MAS 36) |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
| Riflemen (MAS 36) |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
Total |
12 |
|
25.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Both
teams had their own tankette and armored trailer (APC) attached.
Note
some formations replaced the Eclairer team with a second Fusilier Team
for greater firepower. Although they retained the Rifle grenadier. The
remainder of the unit was fairly standard with 4 platoons each in 3
Squadrons. A platoon being of 3 squads with a HQ detachment. Fire
support Squadron brought more 8mm Hotchkiss mgs as well as 81mm
mortars superior to the germans.
But
alas for the cream of the french footsoldier there was neither the
will nor the time to employ them as trained. Instead they faced the
situation they were designed to create on the wrong side. And an
offensive doctrine used solely to parry quickly breaks the blade and
loses the fight.
|