Infantry divisions in the French Army fell into three "series"— active, A and B. Series A included higher-quality reserve units. Most of active units had 2/3 of their authorized strength in peace time. At mobilization, all active units were to be brought up to full strength with designated reserve units. Series A units would be created from both active and reserve personals while series B units would only have a limited active component, around 20%. The divisions were also designated by "type", of which there were Northeast, Overseas and Mountain. The type designation determined numbers and kinds of equipment and weapons allocation.
North African Forces 1940 Division types included Moroccan divisions (DM), north African divisions (DINA and DLINA) and African divisions (DIA). • . An active division at the start of the war, mobilized 23 August 1939 in
Lyon as a Type Northeast division. Campaigns: Battle of the Meuse and Battle of the North. Division had numerous elements captured during the Battle of the North and remnants were evacuated via Dunkirk from 28 May to 2 June, with some sent back to France and eventually merged into the 1st DLINA. Subordination: XI Corps of the 9th Army, Cavalry Corps of the 1st Army, as well as 1st Army. • 1st North African Light Infantry Division. Formed 9 June 1940 in
Bernay de l'Eure from remnants of the 1st DM and the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th DINA, all evacuated from Dunkirk and shipped back to France. Division was weak with four infantry and two artillery battalions. Campaigns: Retreat of the Left Wing. Most of division captured by 18 June. Final command post in the Forêt des Andaines (near
Quiberon). Subordination: XVI Corps of the 10th Army. •
2nd North African Infantry Division. An active division at the start of the war, mobilized on 22 August 1939 in
Mangiennes as a Type Northeast division. Campaigns: Battle of the Dyle and Battle of the North. Division captured in large part at
Haubourdin on 28 May. Some elements shipped out from
Dunkirk and were merged into the 1st DLINA. Final command post at Malo Terminus, near
Dunkirk. Subordination: III and V Corps of the 1st Army. •
3rd North African Infantry Division. An active division at the start of the war, the division was mobilized on 23 August 1939 in
Beaumont-en-Argonne as a Type Northeast division. Campaigns: Battle of the Meuse, Meuse Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured on 23 June 1940. Final command post at
Praye. Subordination: X Corps, XVIII Corps and the Colonial Army Corps, all of the 2nd Army. •
4th North African Infantry Division. An active division at the start of the war, the division was mobilized on 23 August 1939 in
Grostenquin as a Type Northeast division. On 10 May 1940, the division was still missing 20% of its personnel and a similar percentage of its transport. Campaigns: Battle of the Meuse and Battle of the North. Division captured on 20 May 1940. North African survivors were merged into the 1st DLINA. Final command post at
La Capelle. Subordination: XI Corps of the 9th Army. •
5th North African Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 as a Type Northeast division in
Valence; missing 30% of its 25-mm antitank guns. Campaigns: Battle of the Dyle and Battle of the North. Division captured in large part at Haubourdin on 31 May and 1 June 1940. Those evading capture were evacuated from Dunkirk to England and then shipped back to Brest where they were merged into the 1st DLINA. Final command post at Malo Terminus, near
Dunkirk. Subordination: V Corps of the 1st Army. • . New division formed on 1 November 1939 at
Chaumont-Porcien as a Type Northeast division. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Meuse Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured by 23 June 1940. Final command post at
Ochey. Subordination: XVIII and XXI Corps of the 2nd Army. •
7th North African Infantry Division. New division formed on 16 March 1940 at
Brignais as a Type Northeast division. Campaigns: Somme Front, Battle of the Somme and Retreat of the Left Wing. Division disbanded on 10 July. Final command post at
Saint-Jory-de-Chalais. Subordination: I Corps of the 7th Army. • . 1940 in Tunisia, elements later part of the Algiers Territorial Division in the Army of Transition. • . Category 2 active division at the start of the war. Mobilized on 2 September 1939 in
Oran, Algeria as a Type Overseas division; converted to a Type Northeast division in October 1939. Upon mobilization, the division lacked many of its antitank weapons and its motor vehicles were in a poor state of repair. Division shipped to
Marseille in the latter part of September 1939. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division dispersed by 15 June 1940. Remnants disbanded in south-central France on 25 July. Final command post at
Courcemain. Subordination: XX and XXIII Corps. • . 1940 in Tunisia, elements later part of the Constantine Territorial Division in the Army of Transition. • . An active mountain division at the start of the war quartered in
Gabès, Tunisia, the 84th DIA occupied positions in the
Mareth Line in Tunisia until mid-May 1940. The division, with a 60% shortage of motor vehicles, shipped to
Marseille by the end of May. Campaigns: Retreat of the Left Wing. Final command post at
Monsac. Divisional elements were shipped back to north Africa and disbanded. Subordination: XXV and X Corps. • . Formation-A-Class reserve mountain division mobilized 2 September 1939 in
Algiers, Algeria. The 85th DIA occupied covering positions along the Libyan border until the end of May 1940 and was shipped to
Marseille by 3 June 1940. Campaigns: Somme Front and Retreat of the Left Wing. Final command post at
Cadouin. Division disbanded 11 July. Subordination: XXV Corps. • . Shipped from Algeria to Lebanon in 1939–1940. Elements later part of the Lebanon South Sector and battled the
7th Australian Division during the
Allied invasion of the Levant in 1941. •
87th African Infantry Division. Formation-A-Class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in
Constantine, Algeria. Division occupied positions in Tunisia and was then shipped to
Marseille, arriving 8–9 November 1939. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Aisne and Ailette Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Final command post at Saint-Gervais (
Haute-Vienne), ca. 35 kilometers WSW of
Limoges. Division disbanded 16 July 1940. Subordination: XVII Corps of the 6th Army, then XXIV and I Corps, both of the 7th Army. • 88th African Infantry Division. 1940 in Tunisia, one regiment of which was later part of the 10th DIC. • 180th African Infantry Division. Formed in December 1939 as part of the South Tunisian Front; 1940 in Tunisia. • 181st African Infantry Division. 1940 in Algeria, elements later part of the Algiers Territorial Division in the Army of Transition. • 182nd African Infantry Division. 1940 in Algeria, elements later part of the Oran Territorial Division in the Army of Transition. •
183rd African Infantry Division. 1940 in Algeria, some elements later part of the Constantine Territorial Division in the Army of Transition.
Colonial units •
1st Colonial Infantry Division. An active division at the start of the war and mobilized on 23 August 1939 in
Bordeaux as a Type Northeast division. Campaigns: Battle of the Meuse, Meuse Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured by 23 June. Final command post at
Vaudémont. Subordination: XVIII, XXI and Colonial Army Corps, all of the 2nd Army. •
2nd Colonial Infantry Division. An active mountain infantry division at the start of the war and mobilized on 22 August 1939 in
Toulon. Stationed in southeastern France and inactivated on 8 June 1940, with elements used to form the 2nd DLIC and other elements going to the 8th DIC and the XV Corps. Final command post at
Mouans-Sartoux. Subordination: 6th Army, Army of the Alps and XV Corps. • 2nd Colonial Light Infantry Division. New division formed 8 June 1940 from elements of the 2nd DIC; first command post at
Noisy-Rudignon. Initially in the Alps, this division was moved north starting 12 June. Campaigns: Alpine Front and Retreat of the center. Final command post at
Flavignac. Division inactivated on 11 July 1940. Subordination: XV and XXIV Corps. •
3rd Colonial Infantry Division. A-class reserve division mobilized on 2 September 1939 in Paris as a Type Northeast division. Campaigns: Battle of the Meuse, Meuse Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Remnants of division captured on 22 June 1940. Final command post at
Marthemont. This division was later formed again in August 1945. Subordination: XVIII Corps, XXI Corps and the Fortified Region of Verdun, all of the 2nd Army. • . ?-class reserve division mobilized on 27 August 1939 in
Toulouse as a Type Northeast division. Campaigns: Somme Front, Battle of the Somme, Retreat of the Right Wing and Retreat of the Left Wing. Division was gradually destroyed and dispersed by 19 June 1940. Remnants continued retreat and were disbanded on 1 July. Final command post near
Fumel, southeast of Bordeaux. Subordination: I Corps of 7th Army, X Corps of 10th Army and XXV Corps of the Army of Paris. • . A-class reserve division mobilized on 2 September 1939 in
Montpellier as a Type Northeast division. Campaigns: Somme Front, Battle of the Somme and Retreat of the Left Wing. Division inactivated in July 1940. Final command post at
Limogne-en-Quercy. Subordination: X Corps, 10th Army III Corps, XII Military Region. • . Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized on 2 September 1939 in
Saint-Maur sur Indre as a Type Northeast division. Division formed with shortages of 25-mm antitank guns. Campaigns: Meuse Front, Battle of the Aisne, Retreat of the Right Wing and Retreat of the center. Division remnants taken prisoner on 23 June 1940. Final command post at
Ochey. Subordination: XXI Corps, Colonial Army Corps and
Groupement Dubuisson. • . A-class reserve division mobilized on 1 September 1939 in
Toulouse as a Type Northeast division. Campaigns: Somme Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Final command post at
La Coquille. Division disbanded on 10 July 1940. Subordination: X Corps, XXIV Corps and I Corps. • . New division formed 30 April 1940 in
Mérignac as a Type Northeast division. Campaigns: Alpine Front. Division converted to 8th Colonial Light Infantry Division on 6 June. Final command post at
Grignan. Subordination: Army of the Alps. • 8th Colonial Light Infantry Division. New division formed 6 June 1940 in
Grignan from the 8th DIC. Campaigns: Retreat of the Left Wing. Final command post at
Monbazillac. Division disbanded 11 July. Subordination: Army of Paris and X Corps.
Overseas units • 1940 in the Levant, elements later part of the Syria South Sector and battled the 1st DFL and the
5th Indian Infantry Brigade during the Allied invasion of the Levant in 1941. •
192nd Infantry Division. 1940 in the Levant, elements later part of the Syria South Sector and battled the 1st DFL and the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade during the Allied invasion of the Levant in 1941. •
Tonkin Division. 1940 in
Indochina, elements suffered losses and were largely captured by the Japanese in their
coup d'état in French Indochina. •
Cochinchina and Cambodia Division. 1940 in Indochina, elements suffered losses and were largely captured by the Japanese in their coup d'état in French Indochina
Polish expatriate divisions in 1940 (DIP) . Reconstituted Polish Army divisions formed from Polish expatriates in France.
Motorized and infantry divisions Division types included infantry and mountain divisions (DI - no special abbreviation for mountain divisions), motorized divisions (DIM) and fortress divisions (DIF). •
1st Motorized Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted on 23 August 1939 in
Lille. Campaigns: Battle of the Dyle and Battle of the North. Part of division (
Groupement Jenoudet) was captured, the rest evacuated to England during 2–3 June 1940 and then reembarked for Cherbourg and Brest where they were reorganized as the 1st DLI. Final command post at Malo-les-Bains by
Dunkirk. Subordination: III Corps. The 1st Infantry Division was recreated in February 1945 and served with the French First Army. •
2nd Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 as a Type Northeast division in
Saint-André; missing part of its 25-mm antitank guns. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Aisne Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Bulk of division captured by 15 June 1940. Final command post at
Chapelle-Vallon. Subordination: VI Corps, 6th Army, XXIII Corps, 4th Army and 2nd Army. • . Active division at the start of the war; alerted on 25 August 1939 in
Amiens. Campaigns: Battle of the Meuse, Meuse Front, Aisne Front and Retreat of the center. Bulk of the division captured by 18 June 1940. Final command post at
Saint-Seine. Subordination: XXI Corps of 2nd Army and VIII Corps of 4th Army. • . Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 as a Type Northeast division in
Hirson; antitank gun shortage was resolved by April 1940. Automotive material was diverse and not in good condition. Campaigns: Combats at the mouths of the Escaut and the Battle of the North. Division mostly captured at Lille or Dunkirk but some evacuated from Dunkirk 31 May – 3 June. Evacuated elements returned to Brest 4–5 June and were assigned to various units. Final command post at beaches of Dunkirk. Subordination: 7th Army, 1st Army and IV Corps of 1st Army. •
5th Motorized Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted on 23 August 1939 in
Caen. Campaigns: Battle of the Meuse and Battle of the North. Elements of the division were captured and the unit was disbanded on 25 May 1940. Some elements were evacuated via
Dunkirk or otherwise evaded the Germans and were used to form diverse other units. Final command post at Dunkirk. Subordination: II Corps of 9th Army until 17 May, then 1st Army. • . Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 as a Type Northeast division in
Roncherolles-sur-le-Vivier. Division had a serious shortage of horses and no divisional antitank company on 10 May 1940. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Battle of the Meuse, Meuse Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Remnants (2,500 men) of division captured on 22 June 1940. Final command post at
Thuilley-aux-Groseilles. Subordination: 2nd Army, XVIII and XXI Corps of the 2nd Army and
Groupement Dubuisson. •
7th Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 as a Type Northeast division in
Le Mans. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Aisne and Ailette Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division disbanded July 1940. Some elements retained in Vichy Army. Final command post at
La Meyze. Subordination: Colonial Army Corps of the 3rd Army, 3rd Army, 6th Army and XVII and XVIII Corps of the 6th Army. •
8th Infantry Division. New division formed 1 April 1940 as a Type Northeast division in
Coutras. Campaigns: Aisne and Ailette Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division disbanded on 16 July 1940. Final command post at
Saint-Pardoux. Subordination: XVII Corps of the 6th Army. •
9th Motorized Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted on 26 August 1939 in
Orléans,
Nevers,
Bourges and
Limoges. Campaigns: Combats at the mouths of the Escaut and the Battle of the North. Division in large part captured by 20 May 1940 along the
Sambre–Oise Canal. Remnants attached to the 43rd DI and 9th DIC. Final command post at
Bohain-en-Vermandois. Subordination: XVI Corps of the 7th Army and 9th Army. •
10th Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted on 23 August 1939 vicinity Paris. Campaigns: Aisne Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Bulk of division captured over the course of the campaign; 649 men remained in the division by the time of the armistice. Final command post at
Saint-Flour, Cantal. Subordination: XXIII Corps and 2nd Army. The 10th Infantry Division was recreated in October 1944 and served in Alsace and on the Atlantic coast. • . Active division at the start of the war; alerted on 22 August 1939 in Nancy. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Aisne Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division disbanded on 11 July 1940. Final command post at
Saint-Pardoux. Subordination: I and XXIV Corps of the 7th Army. • 12th Motorized Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted on 23 August 1939 in Chalons-sur-Marne. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Northern Frontier, Battle of the Dyle and Battle of the North. Division captured on 4 June 1940. Final command post at Dunkirk. Subordination: V and III Corps of the 1st Army. • 13th Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted on 22 August 1939 in the region of Bourogne. Campaigns: Alsace Front, Somme Front, Battle of the Somme and Retreat of the Left Wing. Bulk of division lost during final retreat but unit still intact on 25 June 1940. Final command post at
Lalinde. Subordination: Multiple corps of the 8th, 7th and 10th Armies, as well as the XXV Corps of the Army of Paris. Final subordination to Task Force de Bazelaire. • 14th Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted on 25 August 1939 in the region of Mulhouse. Campaigns: Alsace Front, Lorraine Front, Battle of the Meuse, Aisne Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Unit still intact on 25 June 1940. Final command post at
Champeix. Subordination: XXIII Corps of the 6th and 4th Armies, VIII Corps of 4th Army. The 14th Infantry Division was recreated on 16 February 1945 and served with the French First Army. • 15th Motorized Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted on 23 August 1939 in Dijon. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Battle of the Dyle and Battle of the North. Bulk of division captured south of Lille on 29 May 1940; some elements embarked at Dunkirk and shipped to Brest and Cherbourg. Final command post in Faubourg des Postes (Lille). Subordination: IV Corps of the 1st Army. • 16th Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in Dijon. Campaigns: Alsace Front, Somme Front, Battle of the Somme and Retreat of the center. Division reduced to strength of four battalions at time of the armistice. Final command post in
Cuzorn. Subordination: XII, X and XXV Corps; subordinated to various armies during course of campaign. • 17th Infantry Division. Initially scheduled to be formed on 31 March 1940, this formation was canceled and the component units assigned to other divisions. After the breakthrough at Sedan during 10–15 May 1940, remnants of the 55th DI and 71st DI were organized into a new division, which rapidly went through three names: 55th DI, 71st DI and 17th DI (on 21 May). The division remained in general reserve until being released for the defense of Verdun. On 30 May, the division was retitled the 59th DLI. •
18th Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 as a Type Northeast division in Tours. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Northern Frontier, Battle of the Meuse and Battle of the North. Division encircled and almost entirely destroyed vicinity
Beaumont on 16 May 1940. Final command post at
Damousies. Subordination: XI Corps of the 9th Army. • 19th Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted on 25 August 1939 in Rennes. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Alsace Front, Somme Front, Battle of the Somme and Retreat of the Left Wing. Division intact at time of armistice. Final command post at
Pierre-Buffière. Subordination: XIII Corps and I Corps of the 7th Army. The 19th Infantry Division was recreated in September 1944 and served on the Atlantic coast. • 20th Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in Rennes. Campaigns: Northern Frontier, Lorraine Front, Meuse Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division encircled and captured on the left bank of the Seine on 15 June 1940. Final command post at Sainte-Maure (5 kilometers north of
Troyes). Subordination: XLII Corps of the 3rd Army and VII Corps of the 6th Army. •
21st Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted 25 August 1939 in Nantes. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Northern Frontier, Battle of the Scheldt Estuary and Battle of the North. Division surrendered after the
Battle of Boulogne on 25 May 1940. Final command post at Boulogne. Subordination: Reserve of the High Command and Admiral commanding the Northern Front. •
22nd Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 23 August 1939 in the 11th Military Region. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Battle of the Meuse and Battle of the North. Bulk of division captured vicinity
Wimy on 18 May 1940 after defending the forest of Saint-Michel. Final command post at Wimy. Subordination: Colonial Army Corps of the 3rd Army and XI Corps of the 9th Army. • 23rd Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted 25 August 1939 in
Limoges. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Alsace Front, Somme and Aisne Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division intact at time of armistice; unit disbanded on 11 July 1940. Final command post at
Jumilhac-le-Grand. Subordination: XXIV Corps of the 7th Army. The 23rd Infantry Division was recreated in January 1945 and served on the Atlantic coast. • 24th Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 3 September 1939 in Limoges. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Somme Front, Battle of the Somme and Retreat of the Left Wing. Division strength down to 100 to 200 men per regiment by 11 June 1940. Division still in existence at time of armistice; unit disbanded 11 July 1940. Final command post at
Cubas. Subordination: X Corps of the 10th Army and Task Force de Bazelaire, among others. •
25th Motorized Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted 27 August 1939 in
Clermont-Ferrand. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Northern Frontier, Battle of the Scheldt Estuary and Battle of the North. Bulk of division captured vicinity
Canteleu and
Lambersart on the evening of 31 May 1940. Final command post at
Bray-Dunes. Subordination: Various corps, almost all subordinated to 1st Army. The 25th Infantry Division was recreated in April 1945 and served on the Atlantic coast. • 26th Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in Clermont-Ferrand. Campaigns: Lorraine Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Bulk of division captured in the Charmes Forest on the night of 20–21 June 1940. Final command post at
Charmes. Subordination: VI Corps of the 3rd Army. • 27th Mountain Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 22 August 1939 in
Gap. Division converted to a type Northeast infantry division on 27 October 1939. Campaigns: Alpine Frontier, Lorraine Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division intact at time of armistice. Final command post at
Saint-Dizier-Leyrenne. Subordination: VIII, XVII and VII Corps of various armies. The 27th Mountain Infantry Division was recreated in November 1944 and served on the Alpine frontier. • 28th Mountain Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 22 August 1939 in
Chambéry. Campaigns: Alpine Frontier, Lorraine Front, Aisne Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division intact at time of armistice; elements disbanded by 31 July 1940. Final command post at
Marsac. Subordination: XVII and VII Corps of the 6th Army. • 29th Mountain Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 22 August 1939 in Nice. Campaigns: Alpine Frontier, Lorraine Front, Somme Front, Battle of the Somme and Retreat of the Left Wing. Bulk of division captured or destroyed between the Somme and Le Beuvron during the period 5–19 June 1940; remnants disbanded by 11 July 1940. Final command post at
Hautefort. Subordination: XXIV and I Corps of the 7th Army. • 30th Mountain Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 22 August 1939 in Marseille. Division converted to a type Northeast infantry division on 27 October 1939. Campaigns: Alpine Frontier, Lorraine Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured vicinity
Saint-Dié on 23 June 1940. Final command post in the woods by
Belmont. Subordination: XLIII Fortress Corps of the 5th Army and XII Corps of the 3rd Army. • 31st Mountain Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 27 August 1939 in
Montpellier. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Somme Front, Battle of the Somme and Retreat of the Left Wing. Division captured in
Saint-Valery-en-Caux on 12 June 1940. Final command post at
Gueutteville. Subordination: IX Corps of the 10th Army. •
32nd Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 22 August 1939 in
Montpellier. Also known as the 32nd Light Infantry Division after 12 June 1940. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Battle of the Dyle, Battle of the North and Retreat of the Left Wing. Division captured in parts between 4 and 18 June 1940 in the region between Dunkirk and
Falaise. Final command post at
Saint-Vigor-des-Mézerets. Subordination: III Corps of the 1st Army and XVI Corps of the 10th Army. • . Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in
Bordeaux. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Alsace Front, Aisne Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured vicinity
Ochey on 22 June 1940; at time of surrender, the unit had been reduced to a strength of a little over 6,000 men. Final command post at
Germiny. Subordination: Colonial Army Corps and XXI Corps of the 2nd Army. • 36th Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted 28 August 1939 in Bordeaux. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Northern Frontier, Aisne Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured 21 June 1940 vicinity
Vézelise. Final command post at
Gugney. Subordination: X Corps and Colonial Army Corps of the 2nd Army. The 36th Infantry Division was recreated in February 1945 but did not see combat before the war in Europe ended. • 40th Infantry Division. Formed 31 May 1940 at
Morain-Villiers from the 2nd Light Chasseurs Division. Campaigns: Battle of the Somme and Retreat of the Left Wing. Division intact at time of armistice; disbanded on 31 July 1940. Final command post at
Cahors. Subordination: IX Corps of the 10th Army. •
41st Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in Versailles. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Northern Frontier, Battle of the Meuse, Meuse Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. All but 1,300 men of the division captured on 17–18 June 1940 vicinity
Gondreville. Final command post at Gondreville. Subordination: XVIII Corps of the 2nd Army and XVII Corps of the 6th Army. • 42nd Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted 20 August 1939 in
Metz. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Aisne Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division mostly captured on 17 June 1940 vicinity
Les Riceys. Final command post at Les Riceys. Subordination: XXIII Corps of the 6th and 4th Armies. • 43rd Infantry Division. Active division at the start of the war; alerted 23 August 1939 in
Weyersheim. Campaigns: Alsace Front, Battle of the Dyle, Battle of the North and Retreat of the Left Wing. Division embarked at Dunkirk and returned to France via Brest. Division captured 18–26 June 1940 between
Passais and
Belligné. Final command post at Passais. Subordination: 1st Army, Commander of Zone B and XVI Corps. • 44th Infantry Division. Division formed 1 March 1940 at
Dourdan. Campaigns: Aisne Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division reduced to strength below 2,500 by time of armistice. Final command post at
Mauriac. Subordination: XXIII, XVII and VII Corps of the 6th Army. • 45th Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in
Orléans. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Aisne Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division captured or dispersed by 14 June 1940. Final command post at
Arcis-sur-Aube. Subordination: VII Corps of the 6th Army. • 47th Infantry Division. Formation-A-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in
Besançon. Campaigns: Alsace Front, Lorraine Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division intact at time of armistice. Final command post at
Mareuil. Subordination: IX Corps of the 4th Army and I Corps of the 7th Army. • 51st Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in Lille. Campaigns: Northern Frontier, Battle of the Meuse, Lorraine Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured 23 June 1940 vicinity
Villey-le-Sec. Final command post at
Sexey-aux-Forges. Subordination: XXIV and XLII Corps of the 3rd Army. • 52nd Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 24 August 1939 in
Mézières. Campaigns: Northern Frontier, Lorraine Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured 23 June 1940 vicinity
La Bourgonce. Final command post at
La Salle. Subordination: XX Corps of the 4th Army and
Groupement de la Saare of 2nd Army Group. •
53rd Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in
Bourbourg. Campaigns: Northern Frontier, Battle of the Meuse, Aisne Front and Retreat of the center. Division reduced to some 800 men at the time of the armistice; designated as the 53rd Light Infantry Division after 31 May 1940. Final command post at
Allègre. Subordination: XLI Fortress Corps of the 9th Army and VIII Corps of the 4th Army. • 54th Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in Le Mans. Campaigns: Alsace Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured 22 June 1940 vicinity
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines. Final command post at
Corcieux. Subordination: XIII Corps of the 8th Army. •
55th Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 3 October 1939 in Orléans. Campaigns: Northern Frontier and Battle of the Meuse. Division panicked at the
Battle of Bulson on 13 May 1940 and was disbanded on 18 May 1940 with elements going to the second formation of the 17th Infantry Division. Final command post at
Manre. Subordination: X Corps of the 2nd Army. • 56th Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in
Châlons-sur-Marne. Campaigns: Lorraine Front and Retreat of the center. Division captured 16 June 1940 vicinity
Aignay-le-Duc. Final command post at Prairay, two kilometers WSW of
Francheville. Subordination: Colonial Army Corps and VI Corps of 3rd Army and XVIII Corps of 2nd Army. • 57th Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in the region of
Besançon. Campaigns: Alsace Front, Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division intact at the time of armistice; disbanded on 11 July 1940. Final command post at
Hiesse. Subordination: XLV Fortress Corps of 3rd Army Group and XXIV Corps of the 7th Army. • 58th Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in
Dijon. Campaigns: Lorraine Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division reduced to strength of three battalions over course of campaign and captured 22 June 1940 east of
Ochey. Final command post at Ochey. Subordination: XLII Fortress Corps and
Groupement Dubuisson. •
60th Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in
Rennes. Campaigns: Northern Frontier, Battle for the Scheldt Estuary and the Battle of the North. Division cut off in the north, some 1,000 men evacuated to Great Britain without equipment. Remainder of division captured 4 June 1940 vicinity Malo Terminus near Dunkirk. Final command post: Malo Terminus. Subordination: 7th Army and XVI Corps. •
61st Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in
Nantes. Campaigns: Northern Frontier and Battle of the Meuse. Division isolated and cut up by German armored thrusts 15–16 May 1940 and subsequently disbanded on 27 May 1940 with elements going to the 236th and 241st Light Infantry Divisions. Final command post at
Louviers. Subordination: XLI Fortress Corps of the 9th Army. • 62nd Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in Limoges. At mobilization, division lacked sufficient troops, cadre, vehicles and antitank guns for complete establishment. Campaigns: Lorraine Front, Alsace Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured vicinity
Donon between 21 and 23 June 1940. Final command post at Donon. Subordination: XVII Corps and 103rd Fortress Division of the 5th Army. • 63rd Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 3 September 1939 in
Clermont-Ferrand. Campaigns: Alsace Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured on 22 June 1940 vicinity
Bussang. Final command post at Bussang. Subordination: XLV and XLIV Fortress Corps of the 8th Army. • 64th (Mountain) Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in
Valence. Campaigns: Alpine Frontier and Alpine Front. Division intact at time of armistice; disbanded 10 July 1940. Final command post at
Embrun. Subordination: XIV Corps of the Army of the Alps. • 65th (Mountain) Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in Marseille. Campaigns: Alpine Frontier and Alpine Front. Division intact at time of armistice; disbanded 11 July 1940. Final command post at
Levens. Subordination: XV Corps of the Army of the Alps. • 66th (Mountain) Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in Montpellier. Campaigns: Alpine Frontier and Alpine Front. Division intact at time of armistice; disbanded 8 July 1940. Final command post at
La Combe-de-Lancey. Subordination: XIV Corps of the Army of the Alps. • 67th Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 12 September 1939 in Toulouse. Campaigns: Alsace Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured 18 June 1940 vicinity
Maîche. Some elements crossed the Swiss border and entered internment. Final command post at
Brémoncourt. Subordination: XLIV and XLV Fortress Corps of the 8th Army. •
68th Infantry Division. Formed 16 January 1940 in Dunkirk. Campaigns: Battle of the Scheldt Estuary and Battle of the North. Division captured at Dunkirk on 4 June 1940. Final command post at Dunkirk. Subordination: XVI Corps of the Admiral-North. • 70th Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in Nancy. Campaigns: Alsace Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured 21–22 June 1940 vicinity
Padoux. Final command post in a forest outside of Padoux. Subordination: XII Corps of the 5th Army. •
71st Infantry Division. Formation-B-class reserve division mobilized 2 September 1939 in Versailles. Campaigns: Northern Frontier and Battle of the Meuse. Division panicked at the
Battle of Bulson on 13–14 May 1940 and was disbanded on 21 May 1940 with elements going to the second formation of the 17th Infantry Division. Final command post at
Verdun. Subordination: X Corps of the 2nd Army. • 101st Fortress Division. Formed 16 March 1940 near
Haumont-près-Samogneux from the
Fortified Sector of Maubeuge. Campaigns: Northern Frontier, Battle of the Dyle and Battle of the North. Part of division captured at Dunkirk after 3 June 1940; one regiment embarked at Dunkirk for Normandy and were captured on 17 June 1940 vicinity Falaise. Final command post at Dunkirk. Subordination: 1st Army. •
102nd Fortress Division. Formed 1 January 1940 in
Rimogne from elements of the Ardennes Defensive Sector. Campaigns: Northern Frontier and Battle of the Meuse. Bulk of division captured near
Thin-le-Moutier. Final command post at the Valcontent Farm, approximately 3.5 kilometers from Thin-le-Moutier. Subordination: XLI Fortress Corps of the 9th Army. • 103rd Fortress Division. Formed 5 March 1940 from the
Fortified Sector of the Lower Rhine. Campaigns: Alsace Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured 23 June 1940 as part of surrender of the 5th Army. Final command post at Salm near
Waldersbach. Subordination: XVII Corps and XLIII Fortress Corps of the 5th Army. • 104th Fortress Division. Formed 3 March 1940 from the
Fortified Sector of Colmar. Campaigns: Alsace Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured 21 June 1940 vicinity
Xonrupt. Final command post at Xonrupt. Subordination: XII and XIII Corps of the 8th Army. • 105th Fortress Division. Formed 16 March 1940 from the
Fortified Sector of Mulhouse. Campaigns: Alsace Front and Retreat of the Right Wing. Division captured 22 June 1940 near
Mollau. Final command post at Rouge-Gazon, approximate 4 kilometers SW of Mollau. Subordination: XIII Corps and XLIV Fortress Corps of the 8th Army.
Light Chasseurs Divisions (DLCh) The Chasseurs divisions were organized in April 1940 and were intended for use in Norway.
Light Infantry Divisions (DLI) Most formed in May or June 1940. The light divisions had only two infantry regiments and were missing much equipment. • 1st Light Infantry Division. Formed 10 June 1940 near
Évreux from 3,400 men of the 1st DIM who were evacuated from Dunkirk and returned to France, as well as other elements. Four battalions of infantry, 2 battalions of artillery; all other branches nonexistent or in embryonic form. Campaigns: Retreat of the Left Wing. The division was forced west of
Caen, dispersed and bypassed by the Germans during 19–25 June. Surrendered on 29 June. Final command post at
Juvigny-le-Tertre. Subordination: XVI Corps 10 to 29 June 1940. • 3rd Light Infantry Division. Formed 15 April 1940 near
Brest and intended for service in Norway. Division had two infantry regiments, an antitank company, a tank company, a reconnaissance battalion and an artillery battalion. Instead of Norway, the division was transported via rail to Paris and then to the Somme River vicinity
Noyon. Campaigns: Defense of the Somme and the Aisne, Battle of the Aisne and the Retreat of the center. Final division assembly was at
Nexon, SW of Limoges. Subordination: XXIV Corps from 18 May - 25 June 1940. • 17th Light Infantry Division. Formed 31 May 1940 in the Department of Creuse (
La Courtine) from unit remnants of the Battle of the Meuse, primarily the 18th DI. Division had two regiments of infantry and one of artillery (two 75-mm battalions) but only eight antitank guns and with serious shortages in mortars and signals equipment. Campaigns: Battle of the Somme and the Retreat of the Left Wing. Had four battalions captured between 20 and 27 June. Final command post was at
Saint-Hilaire-du-Maine. Subordination: IV Corps of the 10th Army from 7–11 June and then Group Duffour of the 10th Army until capitulation. • 59th Light Infantry Division. Formed 30 May 1940 west of
Saint-Mihiel from the 17th DI, itself formed from remnants of the 55th DI and 71st DI. Division had two regiments of infantry and one of artillery along with some antitank and anti-aircraft assets. Campaigns: Retreat of the center. Division assumed defensive position along the western edges of the Argonne and Belval Forests and was then overwhelmed by German tank and artillery attacks before being forced to surrender on 13 June 1940 south of Montmirail. Final command post at
Bannes. Subordination: 2nd Army (to 12 June) and VII Corps of the 6th Army. • 235th Light Infantry Division. Formed 1 June 1940 at
Bar-sur-Aube with a heavy proportion of service troops. Division had two regiments of infantry and one of artillery but was short on 25-mm and 47-mm antitank cannon. Campaigns: Battle of the Aisne and the Retreat of the center. Attacks by Germans effectively dispersed the division by 12 June; elements managed to withdraw south before coming apart by 16 June. Final command post at a farm six kilometers E of
Méry-sur-Seine. Subordination: XXIII Corps of the 4th Army until 12 June, then under direction of the 2nd DI. • 236th Light Infantry Division. Formed 8 June 1940 at
Courances from elements of the 102nd DIF, 22nd DI and 9th DIM. Campaigns: Retreat of the Left Wing. Merged with the 237th DLI on 25 June 1940. Final command post at
Cunèges, east of Bordeaux. Subordination: 10th Army. • 237th Light Infantry Division. Formed 27 May 1940 at
Bazoches-sur-Guyonne from elements of the 5th DIM and the 55th DI. Campaigns: Retreat of the Left Wing. Division disbanded 7 July 1940. Final command post at
Pellegrue, east of Bordeaux. Subordination: III Corps of the 10th Army. • 238th Light Infantry Division. Formed 1 June 1940 at
Arc-en-Barrois with two infantry regiments and an artillery regiment but lacking 25-mm antitank guns. Campaigns: Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division disbanded 11 July 1940. Final command post at
Bersac, northeast of Limoges. Subordination: XVII Corps of the 6th Army. • 239th Light Infantry Division. Formed 1 June 1940 at
Rolampont from various battalions. Extremely poor state of equipment. Campaigns: Battle of the Aisne and Retreat of the center. Division disbanded 11 July 1940. Final command post at
Saint-Mathieu, southwest of Limoges. Subordination: 7th Army and XXIV Corps until 21 June, at which point the division was transferred to the I Corps. • 240th Light Infantry Division. Formed 14 June 1940 at
Bar-sur-Seine from training units; division had a 40% shortage of personnel. Campaigns: Retreat of the center. Division captured on 17 June. Final command post at
Laignes, between Troyes and Dijon. Subordination: XVIII Corps. • 241st Light Infantry Division. Formed 27 May 1940 at
Louviers from elements of the 61st DI and reinforcements from the interior. Campaigns: Battle of the Somme, Battle of the Center and Retreat of the center. Division disbanded on 11 July 1940. Final command post at
Cadouin, east of Bergerac. Subordination: XXV Corps. • Light Division Burtaire (DLB). Formed 8 June 1940 at
Louppy-sur-Loison from
Groupement Burtaire, itself formed from the Montmedy Fortified Sector on 25 May. Campaigns: Meuse Front and Retreat of the center. Captured on 23 June. Final command post in the
Goviller forest. Subordination: XVIII Corps, 2nd Army and
Groupement Dubuisson.
Provisional divisions formed from fortified sectors • Besse March Division (DMB). Formed 13 June 1940 in Borny (2 kilometers E of
Metz) from the
Fortified Sector of Boulay. Campaigns: Retreat of the Right Wing. Most elements captured on 20 June. Final command post at
Germonville, south of Nancy. Subordination: VI Corps of the 3rd Army. • Chastanet March Division. Formed 13 June 1940 in
Meisenthal from the
Fortified Sector of Rohrbach. Campaigns: Retreat of the Right Wing. Elements surrendered on 24 June. Final command post at Col de la Charnaye, vicinity
Val-et-Châtillon. Subordination: XLIII Fortress Corps. • Poisot March Division (DMP). Formed 12 June 1940 vicinity
Maizières-lès-Metz from the
Fortified Sector of Thionville. Campaigns: Retreat of the Right Wing. Became part of the Besse March Division on 19 June. Final command post at
Frolois. Subordination: VI Corps of the 3rd Army. • Regard March Division. Formed 13 June 1940 at
Walbourg from the
Fortified Sector of Haguenau, had no 25-mm antitank guns. Campaigns: Retreat of the Right Wing. Elements captured or surrendered by 25 June. Final command post in Walbourg, north of Hagenau. Subordination: V Corps. • Senselme March Division. Formed 13 June 1940 at
Baerenthal from the
Fortified Sector of the Vosges. Campaigns: Retreat of the Right Wing. Surrendered on 24 June. Final command post at
Le Donon, in
Vosges Mountains west of Strasbourg. Subordination: XLIII Fortress Corps. ==Vichy French divisions==