Formation The division was formed under Colonel
De Gaulle on 10 May 1940.
Fighting the Blitzkrieg The 4DCr launched an attack on 17 May at the
Battle of Montcornet, where it successfully threw back the German defenses but had to retreat on its starting positions for lack of support and air cover. It then moved south of
Abbeville to attack German bridgeheads across the Aisne river, fighting the
Battle of Abbeville on 28/29 May with the aim of breaking through to the encircled Allied units trapped in
Dunkirk. On 1 June, the 4e DCr was relieved by the
51st (Highland) Infantry Division and regrouped at
Marseille-en-Beauvaisis to attach itself to the armoured group under General
Charles Delestraint. On 6 June, De Gaulle was relieved of his command to rejoin his new commission as State under-secretary for War in the government. De Gaulle was replaced by Colonel Chaudesolle for one day. General
Pierre Jules de la Font took command of the division on 7 June. On 10 June, the armoured group was attached to the Paris Army, and on 12 June, the division was assigned to the
10th Army Corps. From then on, it took part in rear-guard fights during the retreat, notably on the Loire river from 12 to 19 June, and until the cease-fire on 26 June. == Composition ==