5th Light Cavalry Division (France)
Military unit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The French 5th Light Cavalry Division (5e Division Légère de Cavalerie) was a French Army division active during World War II.
| 5th Light Cavalry Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | February 1940 – June 1940 |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Light Cavalry Division (DLC) |
| Role | Reconnaissance, Delaying actions |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | Part of the French Second Army (May 1940) |
| Garrison/HQ | BAZEILLES (10 May 1940) |
| Engagements | Battle of France |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Général de Division CHANOINE |
World War II
Battle of France
The 5th Light Cavalry Division (5e DLC) was a newly formed unit (Nouvelle Formation) created in early 1940.[1] It was part of the French Second Army commanded by Général Charles Huntziger in May 1940.[1] The division was commanded by Général de Division Jacques Chanoine.[1]
The division was noted to have new equipment, but suffered a shortfall of 200 horses, which was compensated by converting two squadrons into cycling units.[1]
Organization (10 May 1940)
The division's headquarters (HQ) was located at Bazeilles on 10 May 1940.[1] The organization was as follows:
| Unit | Commander | Composition |
|---|---|---|
| Command | ||
| Commander | Général de Division CHANOINE | Major-General |
| Chief of Staff | Commandant DE VIRIEU | - |
| Combat Brigades | ||
| 6th Cavalry Brigade (6e BC) | Général de Brigade BROWN DE COSTOUN | * 11th Cuirassiers Regiment (11e Cuir)
|
| 15th Light Motorised Brigade (15e BLM) | Colonel EVAIN | * 5th Armoured Car Regiment (5e RAM)
|
| Divisional Support and Artillery | ||
| Artillery | Lieutenant-Colonel MAILFERT | * 78th Motorised Artillery Regiment (78e RATTT) (1x 75mm gun battalion, 1x 105mm C battalion)
|
| Engineers (Génie) | - | * Engineer Company 34/1 |
| Signals (Transmissions) | - | * Mixed Signals Company 34/84 |
| Air Support (Forces Aériennes) | - | * Army Cooperation Squadron 507 (GAO 507) |
Attached Units
On 10 May 1940, the following units were temporarily attached to the 5e DLC (Groupement DE BOUILLON):[1]
- 12e GRCA (from the Xe CA)
- 60e GRDI (from the 71e DI)
- 64e GRDI (from the 55e DI)
- III/12e RZ (from the 3e DINA)
- I/295e RI (from the 55e DI)
